Former First Lady Michelle Obama revealed during a recent podcast appearance that her late mother’s final words to her have fundamentally changed how she approaches life. Speaking on NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast with host Rachel Martin, Obama became emotional while recounting her mother Marian Robinson’s last months before her death in May 2024.
Robinson, who died peacefully at age 86, spent her final year battling illness as her body began shutting down from various health issues. During her last bout of illness, she stayed with Obama at the family’s home in Hawaii, where the former First Lady was able to care for her mother despite Robinson’s reluctance to be a burden.
Obama described hiring doctors and nurses and putting her mother on a special diet, eventually helping Robinson recover enough to return to Chicago. However, Robinson began to realize she would never return to her former self and was approaching the end of her life. While the mother and daughter were sitting together watching one of Robinson’s favorite court shows, the elderly woman shared a profound observation with her daughter.
Robinson leaned over to Obama and said, “Wow, this went fast.” When Obama asked what she meant, Robinson clarified she was referring to life itself, expressing amazement at how quickly her 86 years had passed.
The exchange proved particularly meaningful because Robinson had previously told her family she was prepared for death, often commenting that old people shouldn’t stay around too long. Obama explained that her mother had spent time preparing her for the inevitability of death and had claimed to be ready for it. However, Robinson’s final words revealed that even someone who feels prepared for death may still wish for more time when living a fulfilling life.
This revelation has profoundly impacted Obama’s perspective on her own mortality and how she wants to spend her remaining years. The 61-year-old former First Lady acknowledged that if she is fortunate and blessed, she may have approximately 25 more summers left. She expressed hope that when her time comes, she will feel the same way her mother did – that despite being ready, she will still wish for more time because her life has been good and purposeful.
Obama reflected on how quickly the past decade has passed since she and former President Barack Obama left the White House. Despite accomplishing significant milestones including writing multiple books and launching her podcast “IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson,” she noted how the years seemed to slip away rapidly. She emphasized her desire for the next 10 years to pass more slowly, explaining that she wants to be more mindful about how she spends her time.
The former First Lady expressed concern about allowing years to pass without being intentional about her choices, questioning whether people spend time with those they want to be with and doing activities that bring them joy. She stressed the importance of savoring moments and experiencing days that feel unhurried, where one can look up at noon and appreciate the slowness of time.
During the podcast appearance, Obama also addressed persistent rumors about her marriage to Barack Obama. She clarified that speculation about their relationship stems from their decision not to share every moment of their lives on social media. The couple, who married on October 3, 1992, and share daughters Malia, 26, and Sasha, 24, maintain a more private approach to their personal lives now that they are in their 60s.
Obama explained that her recent absences from high-profile events, including former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral and President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, were personal choices rather than indicators of marital problems. She described these decisions as part of her effort to define what she wants to do rather than what others expect of her.
Robinson became known as the nation’s first grandmother after Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election. She lived in the White House throughout Obama’s eight-year presidency, maintaining a low profile while helping care for her granddaughters, who were seven and 10 years old when their father took office.
Following Robinson’s death on May 31, 2024, the Obama family released a statement describing her as their rock and expressing their commitment to living up to her example. Obama later thanked supporters for their prayers and kind words, noting how meaningful it was to hear about the special impact Robinson had on others’ lives.
