Robinson once shared that her choice to relocate came from love and concern. “I felt this would be a very hard life for both of them,” she said in a CBS interview years later, referring to her daughter and son-in-law. “And I worried about my grandchildren’s safety. That’s why I came to Washington.”
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also released a touching tribute, remembering her as “a devoted mother and grandmother with a fierce, unconditional love for her family.” They added, “With each gentle smile and kind word, she blessed us all.”
Born in 1937 on Chicago’s South Side, Marian Robinson grew up surrounded by strong values of faith, family, and hard work. Alongside her husband, Fraser Robinson — who passed away in 1991 — she raised two children who would go on to change American history in their own ways.
Despite her proximity to fame, Robinson remained down-to-earth. Barack Obama once described her as “the least pretentious person I know.” She famously asked White House staff if she could do her own laundry, saying she wanted to keep life as normal as possible.
Her family shared that, rather than attending glamorous events, Robinson preferred spending her evenings upstairs with a TV tray, looking out the window toward the Washington Monument. “The only guest she ever asked to meet was the Pope,” they said with affection.
Her calm and grounding influence was a guiding light for Malia and Sasha as they grew up under the pressures of public life. Barack Obama once remarked that she helped his daughters “stay normal in a world that was anything but.”
Michelle Obama often spoke about her mother’s impact. Just weeks ago, on Mother’s Day, she announced that an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago would be named in Robinson’s honor.
In a video tribute, Michelle said, “She taught me how to think for myself, how to use my voice, and how to understand my worth. Without my mother, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
The family’s statement closed with words that capture the heart of who she was:
“There was, and will be, only one Marian Robinson. The extraordinary gift of her life lifts us up in our sadness, and we will strive to follow her example for the rest of our days.”
What’s your favorite memory or moment of Marian Robinson’s quiet grace during the Obama years? Share your thoughts or condolences below — her legacy of love and strength lives on through every story told.