Michelle Obama opened up about her daughters—'being with them as adults, it’s fun'

Michelle Obama opens up about raising daughters Malia and Sasha in and out of the spotlight and the importance of spending time with them

Michelle Obama daughters
(Image credit: REUTERS/Alamy)

Michelle Obama has recently opened up about spending time with her daughters during the lockdown and how they have developed into young adults. 

In a recent appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, former First Lady Michelle Obama, who revealed she dealt with depression during lockdown, opened up about her relationship with daughters Malia and Sasha, who are now 23 and 20 years old, respectively.

"They are just amazing young women," said Michelle, explaining that both girls had spent a lot of time with their parents during quarantine. "It was an extra-special treat to have them that little bit of time, because being with them as adults, it's fun. I love them at every age."

Malia, who graduated from Harvard back in 2021, and Sasha, who started at the University of Michigan in 2019, are obviously used to being in the spotlight, having lived in the White House throughout their father Barack Obama's two terms as President of the United States of America.

Obama family

(Image credit: Pool / Pool)

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In her recent appearance, Michelle made it a point to discuss the importance of adjusting to life outside of Washington, DC. 

"[Malia and Sasha] wouldn't always be in that bubble of the White House, so they had to learn to make their beds, they had to learn how to drive, they had to learn how to be compassionate, independent, responsible people," she said. "So that they entered the world as responsible, compassionate, capable people. And I think they are amazing young women because of that!"

As for specific parenthood tips, the former First Lady and author of Becoming, mentioned following her own mother's advice. "I listened to what my mother said when she was raising us. She said, 'I'm not raising babies, I'm raising real people to be out in the world,' and I kept that in mind with the girls," she said. 

This, of course, isn’t the first time that Michelle has discussed her relationship and life with her daughters. Just last year, for example, in an appearance on Kelly Clarkson's talk show, she revealed that Sasha and Malia love to steal her makeup—proving they're just like any other normal family. She's also been candid about her worries for her daughters' safety because of the color of their skin.

Again and again, Michelle has proven that, just like any other parent, she's navigating motherhood the best way she knows how—albeit shining a light on specific issues through her celebrity. 

Anna Rahmanan

Anna Rahmanan is a New York-based writer and editor who covers culture, entertainment, food, fashion and travel news. Anna’s words have appeared on Time Out New York, the Huffington Post, Fortune, Forbes, Us Weekly, Bon Appetit and Brooklyn Magazine, among other outlets.