Once in the White House, Robinson became a beloved figure within the family. Known for her warmth and humor, she managed to balance care and discipline with affection. Her grandchildren often joked that she would side with them over their parents, whom she teasingly called “too strict.”
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden offered their condolences, calling Robinson “a dedicated mother and grandmother with a fierce and unconditional love of her family.” They remembered her kind heart and the comfort she brought to those around her.
Born in 1937 and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Marian Robinson led a life of grace and humility. Alongside her husband, Fraser Robinson, who passed away in 1991, she raised two children—Michelle and Craig—instilling in them values of integrity, hard work, and self-respect. Even during her years in the White House, she remained modest. She did her own laundry, enjoyed quiet evenings with family, and avoided the limelight whenever possible. The only public figure she ever requested to meet was the Pope.
Her influence on her granddaughters was significant. President Obama credited her with keeping Malia and Sasha grounded throughout their formative years. “She’s down to earth and doesn’t understand all the fuss,” he once said during a television interview.
Michelle Obama shared a deep connection with her mother. At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Robinson narrated the introduction video for her daughter—a moment that revealed their bond to the world. Years later, Michelle honored her mother on Mother’s Day by announcing that an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum would bear her name.
“She taught me how to think for myself, how to use my own voice, and how to understand my own worth,” Michelle said. “Without my mother, I just wouldn’t be who I am today.”
In their closing tribute, the family wrote: “There was and will be only one Marian Robinson. The extraordinary gift of her life lifts us up in our sadness. And we’ll try to follow her example for the rest of our lives.”
Marian Robinson may not have sought fame, but the legacy she leaves behind—as a mother, grandmother, and unwavering source of strength—will not be forgotten.