CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 6: First Lady Michelle Obama (L) applauds with her mother, Marian Robinson (R) during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Cable Arena on September 6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Democratic National Convention is
The Obama family has been inundated with condolences, tributes and well wishes following breaking news that former first lady Michelle Obama's mother has passed away.
Marian Robinson, born in Chicago in 1937, passed away peacefully on Friday at the age of 86.
Related news: Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, dies at 86
Michelle Obama
“My mother, Marian Robinson, was my rock and always there for me no matter what I needed. She was always a rock for our entire family,” Michelle wrote on X, sharing a link to a lengthy tribute written by herself, former President Barack Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha, and several other family members.
The Obamas
“Our mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, Marian Lois Shields Robinson, had a way of summing up life's truths in a few words, phrases that, perhaps, made everyone around her stop and think. Her wisdom seemed innate, something she was born with, but in reality it was hard-earned, shaped by her deep understanding that the world's roughest corners can always be polished with a little kindness.”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.
“Know what is truly important.
“As parents, we are not raising a baby, we are raising a little human being.
“Don't worry about if anyone else likes you. Come back home. We'll love you as long as we're here.”
“She grew up in Chicago's red light district on the South Side, one of seven children to Pernell Shields and Rebecca Jumper. When she was a teenager, her parents divorced and her mother made a living as a homemaker's assistant. Her father was not allowed to join a union or work for a major construction company because of the color of his skin, and she began to distrust a world where she seemed to have little place. And yet many mornings, her father woke him and the children at sunrise, playing jazz records as an alarm clock. She learned early that even in the face of hardship, music can be found.
“As a young woman, she studied to be a teacher and then worked as a secretary. She fell quickly and passionately in love with fellow South Side native Fraser Robinson, who had the strength of a boxer and the cool of a jazz lover. Together they raised two children, Craig and Michelle, in a tiny second-floor apartment on South Shore's Euclid Avenue.
“She volunteered for the PTA and taught children to read from an early age, sitting with them and reading aloud the words written on a piece of paper, giving them the strength and confidence to walk alone to school and into the outside world. She once scolded a police officer who accused Craig of stealing his bike, and demanded that the officer, an adult, apologize to her son. On summer nights, she loaded her family into the car for trips to drive-in theaters with steaming chicken on board. On New Year's Eve, she passed around Pigs in Blankets and toasted to Ole Lang Syne. And every night for years, she and Fraser held court at the dinner table, asking all kinds of questions and teaching her children to believe in the power and value of their own voices.
“When Craig decided to leave a high-paying job in finance to pursue his dream of coaching basketball, she was wholeheartedly supportive. She did the same when Michelle married a man crazy enough to become a politician. Every time our family walked a path no one could have predicted, she protected us from the storms and kept us grounded. And on election night in 2008, she was there, holding Barack's hand when the news broke that he would soon be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“With a healthy dose of nudge, she agreed to move into the White House with Michelle and Barack. We needed her. Her daughters needed her. And in the end, she was our support through it all. She relished her role as grandmother to Malia and Sasha, just as she doted on Avery, Leslie, Austin and Aaron. With lessened motherly responsibilities, she indulged in a little more fun and games, safely away from the dangers of spoiling her grandchildren. And while she followed any rules we set in our household — about bedtimes, TV watching, candy eating — she made it clear she took the side of the 'grandkids' when she thought her parents were too strict.”
“The glitz and glamour of the White House never suited Marian Robinson. 'If they can teach me how to use the washing machine, that's fine,' she would say. Rather than fraternising with Oscar winners and Nobel Prize winners, she preferred to hang out upstairs on a TV stand in a room with a view of the Washington Monument from the big windows outside her bedroom. The only guest she made the effort to see was the Pope. Over those eight years, she grew close to the ushers and butlers who make the White House their home. She would often sneak outside the gates to buy greeting cards at CVS, and sometimes other guests would recognise her. 'You look like Michelle's mother,' they would say. She would smile and reply, 'Oh, I get that a lot.'”
Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama, waves during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on April 25, 2011. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
“After leaving the White House, she returned to Chicago, where she reconnected with longtime friends, shared jokes, traveled and enjoyed good wine. She passed away peacefully this morning, but at this point, none of us are quite sure how we will continue on without her.”
“As a mother, she was our support, a calm and impartial witness to our triumphs and failures. No matter how far we traveled, she was always there, welcoming us home with her deep and abiding love.
“To Barack and Kelly, she was the best mother-in-law anyone could ask for. We always wished we could see her more, or less, and sometimes teased her that she should stop thinking she was 'bothering' us.”
“As a grandmother, she was there watching her grandchildren grow and develop at every stage of their lives, from infancy to adulthood, encouraging them, listening to their stories, telling them she was proud of them and making them feel loved as if they were amazing in every way.
“And as a sister, aunt, cousin, neighbor and friend, she was loved beyond words by countless people, whose lives were changed for the better by her presence.
“We will all miss her terribly and we only wish she was here to give us some perspective and soothe our heavy hearts with her laughter and wisdom.”
“But we take comfort in knowing that she is back in the arms of her loving Fraser, sitting on the TV stand next to his recliner, clinking highball glasses as they talk about this wild and beautiful journey. She has missed him so much.”
“'There are lots of little Craigs and little Michelles in the world,' my mother would often tell us, emphasizing the beauty and potential in every child.
“As always, she was right. And despite her staunch denial, it is also true that there was and will be only one Marian Robinson. Even in our grief, we are inspired by the incredible gift of her life, and we will spend the rest of our lives striving to follow her example.”
– Michelle, Craig, Barack, Kelly, Avery, Leslie, Malia, Sasha, Austin and Aaron
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
“We knew Mrs. Marian Robinson to be a devoted mother and grandmother with a fierce and unconditional love for her family. Through the blessing of our friendship, we felt that love ourselves through every quiet smile and warm embrace she shared with us.”
“Like us, she believed that family is the beginning, the middle and the end. She moved to the White House to be there for her family when they needed her most, and in so doing, she served her country alongside them. Her life reminds us that we are a great nation because we are good people.”
“The entire Biden family sends our heartfelt love to Michelle, Craig, Barack and Kelly, and to her six irrepressible grandchildren, whom she raised and loved so much and whose kind and gentle spirit continues to carry on in them.”
“May she rest in peace with her beloved Fraser by her side. May God bless Mrs. Marian Robinson.”
Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama, reads a book during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 13, 2009. More than 30,000 guests are expected to attend this year's event.
Dr. Bernice A. King
“My heartfelt condolences to First Lady Michelle Obama and her family on the passing of your beloved mother. Marian RobinsonMy thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May you find peace and strength in the memories you cherish.”
Bernice
Martin Luther King Jr. Center
“Our thoughts and prayers are with First Lady Michelle Obama and her entire family during this difficult time. We are deeply mourned by the death of her mother, Marian Robinson. May they find strength and comfort in each other and in the cherished memories of Mrs. Robinson's incredible life.”
Reverend Al Sharpton
“Our hearts go out to the Robinson/Obama family as we all mourn the loss of Marian Robinson. Mum Robinson was an incredible woman who epitomised strength, grace and tenacity. She was a true warrior and an inspiration to us all.”
“We are grateful for her presence in the Robinson/Obama family and the impact she had as a loving mother and grandmother. May her spirit continue to guide and inspire us.”
“Rest in peace, #MarianRobinson“
Magic Johnson
“We pray for the repose of the soul of the incredible Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama. Mrs. Robinson was a commanding presence and radiant presence in the White House during the tenure of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Though gentle and understated, she was a great figure of spirit, strength, grace and elegance. Cookie and I had the honor of meeting and speaking with her at the White House several times over the past few years. She was kind and intelligent, and we could see she was so proud of her children, Craig Robinson and Michelle, her parents-in-law and grandchildren. Cookie and I send our thoughts and prayers to Craig and Michelle, the entire Robinson and Obama family, friends and her loved ones. She will be missed!”
Billie Jean King
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mr. Obama's family on the passing of Mr. Obama today. Marian RobinsonMother of the former First Lady.
“I had the honor of spending some one-on-one time with her at the 2013 U.S. Open's Arthur Ashe Kids Day.
“Rest in peace.”
Senator Chuck Schumer (NY)
“What an incredible woman, what an incredible life. We mourn her loss. Marian RobinsonWe are praying for her, for @MichelleObama, for the Obamas and Robinson family and their entire families.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN)
“Sending love to Michelle Obama and her entire family as they mourn the loss of their mother, Marian Robinson. She was an extraordinary woman who provided unconditional love for her family and was truly one of a kind.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
“My heartfelt condolences go out to Michelle Obama and her family as they mourn the loss of their mother. Marian RobinsonMarian's strength, kindness and dedication are qualities we should all strive to embody. Her memory will continue to inspire us.”
Congressman Robin Kelly (Chicago, Illinois)
“My deepest condolences go out to the Obama and Robinson families. Marian Robinson.
@BarackObama, “There has never been and will never be just one Marian RobinsonEven in our grief, we are inspired by the incredible gift of her life.”
#RestInPowerMarianne Robinson”
