On a poignant episode of the “IMO” podcast, Michelle Obama discussed frankly the recent loss of her mother, Marian Robinson, and the emotional change that accompanies the death of a parent. Compared to her brother Craig Robinson, the former First Lady shared the details of their grief, family dynamics and the strong legacy left behind by their mother.
Marian Robinson: Impassive Force in the Obama Family
The Obama household always had a steady backbone in Marian Robinson who passed on in May 2024 at age 86 years. She lived to the White House to take care of her granddaughters, Sasha and Malia, and the normalcy this provided seeped through the publicity. Her death created a great void and symbolic succession in the family.
“You’re Next Up”: Humor Amid Grief
Michelle Obama remembered a moving moment when her husband, Barack Obama, attempted to do something funny and serious at the same time, by making a grim joke. “Barack was saying, you know, ‘Well, you’re next up,’” she said saying. “I was like, “I’m not really ready to stand next up. I said to him, ‘You’re next up and Craig is next up’. I delegate that power to you. The very moment is, indeed amusing, but reflects the existential questions that come with the death of a parent.
The Eternal Lovers
However old she may be, Michelle stressed that the relationship between a child and their parent is still powerful regardless of age. “It’s a sort of sea change in your life. I dont mind of how old you become. Mo and Pa are Mo and Pa,” she said. Even when I used to take care of Mom, I still had to hear her. I could sort of dictate her arrows, but she’s my mother in the end”.
Prepared for Goodbye: A Mother’s Final Gift
Craig Robinson also shared that their mother had been preparing them for the coming of her demise for years. Mom’s been threatening to drop dead for 20 years, he joked. But beyond the humor, Marian had actively done what it took to ensure her wishes were out there and followed. “She left very specific instruction on what she wanted and how she wanted things done”.
Filling Big Shoes: Honoring a Legacy
Both siblings appreciated the great legacy left by the parents. Their father, Fraser C. Robinson III died in 1991. The task of maintaining the family’s values and traditions now looms over the shoulders, as both parents are no more. “There’s a comfort level in that, knowing that no matter how wise or experienced I am in the world, Mom always knew more” Michelle said. “It’s big shoes to fill.”
A New Chapter: Embracing Change Through Therapy
In a separate interview on the Jay Shetty Podcast, Michelle opened up about her decision to begin therapy. As a 60-year-old empty nester and public servant stepping back from the spotlight, she described feeling both liberated and uncertain. “Every choice I’m making is completely mine,” she said, highlighting the personal reinvention that often follows major life transitions.
Universal Lessons from a Public Figure
Michelle Obama reflections resonate beyond the personal—they echo the universal truths of love, loss, and resilience. Her openness offers comfort and guidance to anyone navigating similar shifts in family roles and identity. Through grief, humor, and healing, she continues to show what it means to lead with grace and authenticity.
