Mrs. Robinson, Michelle Obama’s mother, was the first mother-in-law in years to live in the White House.
President Barack Obama with first lady Michelle Obama, their daughters Sasha and Malia, and Marian Robinson, at right, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in 2009. Marian Robinson, a homemaker from the South Side of Chicago who became the first presidential in-law in generations to live in the White House after her daughter, Michelle Obama, became first lady of the United States, died May 31 in Chicago. She was 86.Mrs. Robinson, who often was called Mrs.
“She was sitting next to me, actually, as we were watching returns. And she’s like my grandmother was, sort of a no-fuss type of person. And suddenly, she just kind of reached out and she started holding my hand, you know, kind of squeezing it,” he said in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” shortly after Barack Obama’s victory over Republican nominee Sen. John McCain in November 2008.
The decision drew widespread attention. Mrs. Robinson was the first presidential mother-in-law to live in the White House since Elvira “Minnie” Doud, Mamie Eisenhower’s mother. “One of my biggest blessings is getting to see my granddaughters grow up before my eyes. My job here is the easiest one of all: I just get to be Grandma,” Mrs. Robinson wrote in a 2012 essay published in Essence magazine.During the time that she lived in the White House, Mrs. Robinson rarely gave interviews and appeared publicly with the Obamas only on holidays and at some cultural events, often when her granddaughters were present.
“She taught us that you can be open and honest about your own shortcomings and it doesn’t necessarily mean your kids are going to adopt them,” Michelle Obama once said.The Robinson family was skeptical when Michelle brought Barack Obama home to introduce him; they had met at the Chicago law office of Sidley Austin and began dating in 1989.
Mrs. Robinson continued to live in the Chicago walk-up that she and Fraser had shared until moving to the White House. There, she lived on the third floor — one level up from where “Michelle’s family” lived.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama's mother, dies at 86Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, has died, according to a family statement shared with NBC News. Robinson was 86 years old.
Read more »
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama, has died at age 86
Read more »
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86Here are some of the leaders, newsmakers, sports legends and entertainment greats who have died so far this year.
Read more »
Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, died at age 86The mother of former First Lady, Michelle Obama, died, according to a statement released by the family.
Read more »
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, diesMarian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama, has died at age 86. Mrs. Robison had moved with the first family to the White House when son-in-law Barack Obama was elected president, has died. She was 86. Mrs.
Read more »
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86Here are some of the leaders, newsmakers, sports legends and entertainment greats who have died so far this year.
Read more »