Celebrities and community leaders react to the death of Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson

Condolences, tributes and well wishes are pouring in for the Obama family following news of the death of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s mother.

On Friday, Marian Robinson, born in Chicago in 1937, died peacefully at the age of 86.

Related news: Michelle Obama’s mother Marian Robinson dies at 86

Michelle Obama

“My mother Marian Robinson was my rock, always there for my every need. She was a steady support for our entire family,” Michelle wrote on X, and also shared a link to a lengthy tribute written by herself, former President Barack Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha, and several other family members.

The Obama Family

“Marion Lois Shields Robinson — our mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother — had a way of summing up the truth about life in a word or two, perhaps a quick phrase that made everyone around her stop and think. Her wisdom was almost innate, as if it was something she was born with, but in reality it was hard-earned, forged from her deep understanding that the world’s roughest edges can always be sanded down with a little grace.

“Don’t get upset over small things.

“Know what is truly valuable.

“As a parent, you’re not raising kids — you’re raising young children.

“Don’t worry about whether anyone else likes you or not. Come home. We’ll always love you here.”

“She grew up on Chicago’s red-lined South Side as one of seven children, the daughter of Purnell Shields and Rebecca Jumper. When she was a teenager, her parents separated and her mother supported herself as a nursing assistant. Her father, because of the color of his skin, was not allowed to join a union or work for large manufacturing firms, and he grew distrustful of a world that had little room for him. Yet many mornings, he would wake the children at sunrise by playing jazz records as an alarm clock. She learned early that even in the face of hardship, music could be found.

“As a young woman, she studied to be a teacher before working as a secretary. She quickly fell madly in love with Fraser Robinson, another South-sider with the strength of a boxer and the laid-back demeanor of a jazz-lover. Together, they raised two children, Craig and Michelle, in a tiny upstairs apartment on Euclid Avenue in South Shore.

“She volunteered for the PTA and taught her children to read at an early age, sitting together as they read the words on a page, giving them the strength and confidence to go to school — and the world — all on their own. Once she scolded a police officer who had accused Craig of stealing a bike, and demanded that that adult apologize to her son. On summer nights, she would pack the family into the car to see a drive-in movie with a plate of chicken. On New Year’s Eve, she would pass out pigs wrapped in blankets and raise a toast to Auld Lang Syne. And every night, for years, she and Fraser would hold court at the dinner table, where they would ask all kinds of questions, teaching her children to believe in the power and value of their own voices.

“When Craig decided to leave a lucrative finance job to pursue his dream of coaching basketball, she stood by him wholeheartedly. When Michelle married a man crazy enough to go into politics, she was equally encouraging. Every step of the way, as our families traveled down paths none of us could have imagined, she was our shelter from the storm, keeping our feet planted on solid ground. On election night in 2008, when the news broke that Barack would soon be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, she was there holding his hand.”

“With a healthy nod, she agreed to move into the White House with Michelle and Barack. We needed her. The girls needed her. And she remained our support throughout it all. She enjoyed her role as grandmother to Malia and Sasha – just as she loved Avery, Leslie, Austin and Aaron. Less bothered by the responsibilities of motherhood, she was content to indulge in a little more fun and games, keeping away any danger of spoiling her grandchildren. And although she enforced all the household rules we set for bedtime, TV watching or candy eating, she made it clear that she sided with her ‘grandchildren’ in thinking their parents were too strict.

“The décor and glitz of the White House were never very appealing to Marian Robinson. “Just teach me to operate a washing machine and I’m set,” she would say. Instead of mingling with Oscar winners or Nobel Prize winners, she preferred to spend her time with the TV tray upstairs, in the room off her bedroom with large windows overlooking the Washington Monument. The only guest she would ask to meet was the Pope. In those eight years, she made great friends with the doormen and butlers who make the White House home. She would often sneak outside the gate to buy greeting cards at CVS, and sometimes another customer would recognize her. ‘You look just like Michelle’s mom,’ they would say. She would smile and reply, ‘Oh, I get that often.’

Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama, waves during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, April 25, 2011. AFP PHOTO/MANDEL NGAN (Photo Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

“After the White House, she returned to Chicago, reunited with her old friends, told jokes, traveled, and enjoyed a good glass of wine. She passed away peacefully this morning, and right now, none of us are sure how we will move forward without her.

“As a mother, she was our support system, a calm and impartial witness to our successes and failures. She was always, always with us, no matter how far we went, welcoming us back home with that deep and abiding love.

“To Barack and Kelly, she was the best mother-in-law anyone could have hoped for. We sometimes teased her that she should stop thinking she was “imposing” on us, because we always wanted to see more of her, not less.

“As a grandmother, at every stage of their lives, from infancy to adulthood, she monitored her grandchildren’s growth and development, encouraged them, listened to them, told them she was proud of them, made them feel loved, like they were remarkable in every way.

“And as a sister, aunt, cousin, neighbor and friend to so many, she was beloved by countless people whose lives were improved by her presence.”

“We will all miss her very much, and we wish she could have been here to give us some perspective, heal our heavy hearts with laughter and her wisdom.

“Yet we are comforted by the knowledge that she is back in the embrace of her beloved Fraser, that he has pulled his TV tray up next to her armchair, that they are clinking their highball glasses while she tells him stories about this wild, beautiful ride. She misses him so much.”

“‘The whole world is full of little Craigs and little Michelles’, she often reminded us, highlighting the beauty and potential hidden within every child.

“As always, she was right. It is also true — though she vehemently denied it — that there was and will only be one Marion Robinson. In our grief, we are buoyed by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of our lives trying to live up to her example.”

– Michelle, Craig, Barack, Kelly, Avery, Leslie, Malia, Sasha, Austin and Aaron

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden

“We knew Mrs. Marion Robinson as a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her family deeply and unconditionally. With the blessing of friendship, we felt that love ourselves – with every quiet smile or warm embrace she shared with us.

“She believed, as we do, that family is the beginning, middle, and end. She came to the White House for her family when they needed her most, and in doing so, she served her country alongside them. Her life reminds us that we are a great nation because we are good people.”

“The entire Biden family sends its deepest love to Michelle, Craig, Barack, Kelly, and the six amazing grandchildren she helped raise and loved so much, and in whom her kind and gentle spirit lives on.

“May his soul rest in peace and may he rest with his beloved Fraser. God bless Mrs. Marion Robinson.”

Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama, reads a book during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 13, 2009. This year’s events will draw more than 30,000 guests.

Dr. Bernice A. King

“I offer my heartfelt condolences to First Lady Michelle Obama and her family on the passing of her beloved mother.” Marion RobinsonMy thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May you find peace and strength in your loving memories.”

– Bernice

Martin Luther King Jr. Center

“Our thoughts and prayers are with First Lady Michelle Obama and her entire family at this difficult time. We are deeply saddened by the passing of her mother, Marian Robinson. May they find strength and solace in each other and in memories of Mrs. Robinson’s remarkable life.”

Rev. Al Sharpton

“We are all heartbroken by the passing of Marion Robinson and our thoughts are with the Robinson/Obama family. Mother Robinson was an extraordinary woman who epitomized strength, grace and resilience. She was a true warrior who was an inspiration to us all.

“We are grateful for her presence in the Robinson/Obama family and the impact she left as a loving mother and grandmother. May her spirit continue to guide and uplift us.

“Rest in power, #marionrobinson,

Magic Johnson

“Rest in peace to the remarkable Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama. Mrs. Robinson had a commanding presence and aura in the White House while President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in office. While gentle and low-profile, she was a towering figure in spirit, strength, class, and elegance. Cookie and I had the honor of meeting and speaking with her many times at the White House over the last few years. She was gracious and wise and you could see she was very proud of her children Craig Robinson, Michelle, her in-laws, as well as her grandchildren. Cookie and I send our condolences and prayers to Craig and Michelle, the entire Robinson and Obama families, friends, and all of their loved ones. She will be missed!”

billie jean king

“We offer our deepest condolences to Obama’s family upon his passing today.” Marion RobinsonMother of the former First Lady.

“I had the pleasure of spending some time with him at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the US Open in 2013.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

Senator Chuck Schumer, New York

“What an incredible woman. What an incredible life. We are mourning her passing Marion RobinsonWe’re praying for him, for @MichelleObama, for Obama and Robinson, and for their entire family.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota

“Sending love to Michelle Obama and her entire family as they mourn the passing of their mother, Marian Robinson. She was an extraordinary woman who gave unconditional love to her family and was truly a unique woman.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan

“My condolences are with Michelle Obama and her family as they mourn the loss of their mother.” Marion Robinson. Marion’s strength, kindness and devotion are qualities we should all strive to emulate. Her memory will continue to inspire us.”

Representative Dr. Robin Kelly, Chicago, IL

“My deepest condolences go out to Obama and Robinson’s families on their passing.” Marion Robinson,

@BarackObama, ‘There was and there will only be one Marion Robinson.In this time of grief, we are comforted by the extraordinary gift of his life.’

#RestInPowerMarianRobinson”