Marian Robinson, the mother of former United States First Lady Michelle Obama, passed away at the age of 86 on Friday.
In a message on X, Michelle Obama expressed that her mother had always been a steadfast support for their family.
The family conveyed in a statement that Robinson’s wisdom seemed almost innate, but in reality, it was cultivated through her deep understanding that kindness could soften even the harshest challenges.
Originally from the South Side of Chicago, Marian Lois Shields pursued a career in education before working as a secretary.
She married Fraiser Robinson in 1960, and they had two children, Craig in 1962 and Michelle in 1964.
During an interview on “Good Morning America” in 2022, Michelle Obama and Robinson reflected on their strong bond from Michelle’s childhood.
The family shared that Robinson had always been a source of encouragement for her daughter, even when Michelle “married a guy crazy enough to go into politics.”
“At every step, as our families went down paths none of us could have predicted, she remained our refuge from the storm, keeping our feet on solid ground.
“On Election Night in 2008, when the news broke that Barack would soon shoulder the weight of the world, she was there, holding his hand,” the family said.
