Michelle Obama - She experienced the time in the White House
Many of Michelle Obama's followers would like to see her (60) as the first President of the USA, but until now, the wife of former President Barack Obama (62) has consistently denied harboring this desire. A new interview with Melinda French Gates (59) for her podcast "Moments That Make Us" seems to support this. In the conversation, much was discussed about Obama's experiences after leaving the White House and how happy she was to have regained at least a little more normalcy in her life. "Those were wonderful eight years, but they were so abnormal," Obama looks back in the interview with French Gates.
A significant topic in the interview was how Michelle Obama raised her two daughters Malia (26) and Sasha (23) Obama - regardless of the fact that they grew up in the White House. She had always tried to "make these two little people respected and valuable members of the world."
She never felt it was her job to create "mini-mes." She never wanted her daughters to be torn, to fill a void, or to be her friends, so Obama. "My girls joke that my favorite saying was: 'I'm not one of your little girlfriends'." She deliberately set boundaries.
Raised under Scrutiny
"I had to teach them to be confident young people, especially as daughters of a former President. People are quick to exclude a child who doesn't behave correctly and has a big name. One must conduct oneself properly."
Malia and Sasha enjoyed various privileges in the White House, but they were under constant observation. "They had to learn to deal with unwanted attention in a polite way. They had to learn to build their own lives in the spotlight and not be consumed by it," explained the 60-year-old in the interview with Melinda French Gates. Her daughters had to be "smart, confident, and independent from the start - even if they lived in a house with butlers, maids, and florists." She raised them with the thought: "You won't live here and with me forever. So I have to give you your life back and let you take charge of it yourself."
When Barack Obama became President, Malia and Sasha were ten and eight years old. In total, they lived there for eight years during his two terms. Afterward, the family remained in Washington D.C., so as not to uproot the children from their familiar environment. Malia Obama works today in the film and television industry and recently showed her own short film at the Sundance Film Festival. Sasha Obama graduated from the University of Southern California with a Sociology degree in May 2023.
Michelle Obama shared in an interview with Melinda French Gates that raising her daughters Malia and Sasha in the White House required teaching them to be confident, handle unwanted attention, and build their own lives in the spotlight. She emphasized the importance of raising them to be independent, believing they wouldn't live there forever.
Sasha Obama, aged 23, recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a Sociology degree in May 2023. Her sister Malia, at 26, is currently working in the film and television industry and showcased her own short film at the Sundance Film Festival.
The interview with Melinda French Gates also touched on the challenges of raising daughters under such scrutiny, as they were constantly observed due to their father's presidency. Michelle Obama emphasized the importance of teaching them to conduct themselves properly to prevent exclusion.
Former US President Barack Obama, along with his wife Michelle, has been a significant influence in shaping the lives and experiences of their daughters Malia and Sasha, who have grown into independent and accomplished women.
