he previous U.S. president and first lady are currently navigating life as empty nesters. Their children have developed a strong bond over the years and have recently taken their relationship to the next level by becoming roommates.
Barack and Michelle Obama are parents to two daughters, with online commentators noting that one resembles her father while the other is a ‘mini’ version of her mother. Now in their twenties, Malia and Sasha Obama have received commendations from their parents.
As the sisters matured, their bond deepened significantly. Barack remarked, ‘It has been wonderful to witness Malia and Sasha develop such a strong friendship.’
Despite being three years apart, their childhood was marked by typical sibling rivalries, including borrowing clothes and engaging in playful disputes, as noted by their father.
Their connection has only grown stronger, leading them to cohabitate as young adults. In a November 2022 interview, Michelle shared that she moderated her enthusiasm when Malia and Sasha decided to live together, aiming not to sway their choice.
Instead, she casually remarked, ‘It’s interesting that you both are going to try living together. We’ll see how it unfolds.’ However, she felt grateful that her daughters found solace in one another, expressing, ‘It’s the one thing you wish for them.’
The sisters moved into their Los Angeles apartment, decorating economically with items sourced from yard sales and Ikea.
This new phase as roommates has further solidified their relationship, although their mother remains cautious about how much she discloses regarding their lives.
When asked about the most challenging truth she shared in her book, ‘The Light We Carry,’ Michelle stated that honesty has never posed a problem for her.
‘It is what it is,’ she acknowledged, while admitting that discussing motherhood presented its own set of challenges.
The sisters share a profound connection that has supported them throughout their public lives. Nearly four years post-presidency, both were in college—Malia at 22 and Sasha at 19—when the pandemic necessitated their return home.
‘Malia and Sasha have been with us almost continuously since March, with just a few breaks,’ Barack revealed in a joint interview in November 2020.
With their daughters back home, the Obamas cherished the unanticipated time together, with Barack noting that having their children join them for dinner each night, playing games, and watching movies brought them immense joy.
In order to safeguard the privacy of Malia and Sasha, their attentive parent exercised caution regarding the information shared, emphasizing the necessity of restricting details about their lives and public exposure, as they were not in pursuit of attention.
Her daughters reviewed excerpts concerning them prior to publication, and Michelle underscored that their inclusion aimed to assist others.
Nevertheless, she reiterated the significance of maintaining boundaries, asserting that they were not public figures on social media and did not desire paparazzi attention as a result of her book.
Despite this, the close-knit family dynamic of the Obamas remains robust, even as Malia and Sasha forge their own paths.
Malia, a Creative Force in Film and Television Michelle and Barack welcomed their first daughter in July 1998.
Now 26, she received a birthday tribute from her father in July 2024. On Instagram, Barack shared a nostalgic photo of them holding hands, stating, “Happy birthday, Malia. One of the greatest joys of my life is watching you grow into the extraordinary woman you’ve become today – and the fact that you’re still willing to hold your dad’s hand in public!” Malia has matured into adulthood with the same thoughtful disposition her parents cherished in her childhood.
Characterized as “wise and thoughtful,” she collected keychains, participated in drama classes, and exhibited independence from an early age—setting her own alarm and making her bed by first grade.
Malia, Michelle, Sasha, and Barack Obama during his caucus night rally on January 3, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa. | Source: Getty Images “My 9-year-old is always coming up with remarkable things,” Barack remarked in a 2008 interview, expressing how his daughters’ kindness frequently brought him to tears.
Malia and Barack Obama during an outing on December 26, 2008, in Hawai’i Kai, Hawaii. | Source: Getty Images He recounted a moment when Malia, then six, inquired, “Daddy, are we rich?” After he clarified that they were comfortable but not excessively wealthy, she replied, “Well, that’s good because I don’t want to be really rich.
Further admiration ensued, with one individual commenting, ‘She resembles her mother in her stunning beauty.’ Another expressed, ‘Oh my goodness! She has blossomed into a beautiful woman!’ A third remarked, ‘She is a younger version of you.’ Over the years, Michelle Obama has valued the opportunity to witness her daughters grow.
During her appearance on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show,’ she described the time spent with them as ‘enjoyable’ and referred to them as ‘remarkable young women.’ Ellen DeGeneres reminisced about their initial visit when they were eight and ten, eager to see the Jonas Brothers. ‘They were fans of the Jonas Brothers.
Now they are bringing home adult partners,’ Michelle humorously noted, adding, ‘Previously, it was merely pop bands.
Now they have boyfriends and are leading real lives.’ She attributed her mother’s guidance on nurturing ‘genuine individuals’ and made sure Malia and Sasha understood the importance of responsibility — from making their beds to learning to drive.
She believes these teachings have significantly influenced their development.
