Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Obama family for their tragic loss

In a heartfelt statement, the family described her as the steady anchor in their lives. “As a mother, she was our backstop, a calm and nonjudgmental witness to our triumphs and stumbles,” they shared. “She was always, always there, welcoming us back home no matter how far we had journeyed, with that deep and abiding love.”

Maria Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 86. Her family announced that she died peacefully, surrounded by love.

Robinson, who became widely known as the first grandmother of the United States when her son-in-law, Barack Obama, was elected president in 2008, was a constant presence in the White House. Michelle Obama paid tribute to her mother in a separate statement, calling her “my rock.” She wrote on social media, “Always there for me no matter what. She was the same steady backstop for our entire family, and we are heartbroken to share she passed away today.”

During her time in the White House, Robinson maintained a low profile, attending events such as holiday gatherings and concerts, but mostly devoting her time to her granddaughters, Sasha and Malia. Despite her proximity to power, she preferred to keep to herself, away from the spotlight.

“We will all miss her greatly, and we wish she were here to offer us some perspective, to mend our heavy hearts with a laugh and a dose of her wisdom,” the family statement continued. “Yet we feel better knowing that she is back in the arms of her loving Fraser, that she has moved her TV tray next to his recliner, and that they are clinking their highball glasses while she tells him stories about this crazy, beautiful ride. She’s really missed him.”

Robinson, who had lived her entire life in Chicago, moved to Washington, D.C., in 2009 to help care for her young granddaughters during the Obama presidency. Her family acknowledged her indispensable role in their lives, saying, “We had to have her. She was needed by the girls. She was our rock through it all.” They also noted how much she cherished her role as a grandmother, doting on not just Malia and Sasha, but also her other grandchildren, Avery, Leslie, Austin, and Aaron.

Born in 1937 on Chicago’s South Side, Robinson raised her two children, Michelle and Craig, in the same neighborhood. She married Fraser C. Robinson III in 1960, and they were together until his passing in 1991 due to multiple sclerosis.

The transition from her life in Chicago to the White House was a significant one for Robinson, who wasn’t accustomed to the luxuries of being waited on. Despite the change, she remained true to her roots, often asking to do her own laundry and other tasks. “Rather than hobnobbing with Oscar winners or Nobel laureates, she preferred spending her time upstairs with a TV tray, in the room outside her bedroom with big windows that looked out at the Washington Monument,” her family shared. The only guest she specifically requested to meet was the Pope.

Tributes have poured in from all corners. Among them was one from tennis legend Billie Jean King, who expressed her condolences: “Sending our deepest condolences to the Obama family today upon the passing of Marian Robinson, the Former First Lady’s mother. I got to spend some time with her alone at the Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the US Open in 2013. May she rest in peace.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda also shared a poignant memory of Robinson. Recalling a 2009 performance at the White House, he said, “I didn’t feel calm and ready to go until I looked over and saw your mom’s encouraging smile. They couldn’t believe she wasn’t here. We will pray for you and your family every day and in the coming weeks.”

Maria Robinson’s legacy of love, strength, and quiet dignity will be remembered and cherished by those who knew her best.