Michelle Obama has spoken about preparing her daughters, Malia and Sasha, for life without her. She reflected on the bond she shared with her late mother, Marian Robinson.Obama, who is now 61 years old, spoke to People magazine when she attended People Inc.’s event in New York City on November 5, 2025. The First Lady Visits London As Part Of Her Let Girls Learn Initiative - Source: GettyShe said that Marian had been preparing her and her brother, Craig Robinson, for her death since she was 10 years old. She said that she let us know that she loved them, but they could still live a life without her, and she understood it as a parent.The former first lady told the outlet:“I want my daughters to know, ‘I love you, you love me, but you don’t need me. You know everything you need to know to be successful.'”Continue to read more.Former first lady Michelle Obama opens up about ageing gracefully Former first lady Michelle Obama opened up about ageing during a People Incorporated event in New York City. She recalled the last conversation she had with her mother, Marian Robinson, before she passed away at the age of 86 in 2024.While speaking to her friend and TV personality, La La Anthony, about her new book titled The Look, Obama said that when her mother neared her death, she spent more time with her. She reflected when, on one day, she leaned close to her while watching TV and said,“Wow, that was quick.”When Michelle Obama asked what she was talking about, she said, “Life.”Robinson’s statement reflected that while she prepared herself to come to terms with mortality, she wished for more time to live. For Michelle, her mother’s passing was a reminder that the final chapter can come unexpectedly. It encouraged her to live her life to the fullest. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostOn her 60th birthday, her husband, Barack Obama, wished her on her birthday and wrote:“This is what 60 looks like. Happy birthday to my better half — who happens to be one of the funniest, smartest, most beautiful people I know. @MichelleObama, you make every day better. I can’t wait to see what this new decade brings you.”Michelle Obama and the former president tied the knot in October 1992. They met in 1989 at a Chicago law firm where she was assigned to work as Barack’s mentor. While it was love at first sight for him, his future wife was not on the same page. In an interview with O, The Oprah Magazine, Barack told how he was enchanted by her beauty, but she repeatedly rejected her proposal, until one fine day.Two years after dating, they got engaged at Gordon’s restaurant in Chicago. Michelle Obama told Elle magazine that the waiter suddenly appeared with the dessert and a tray, and on it was a ring. She described how the romantic gesture by her husband completely blew her away at that moment.They became parents to their first daughter, Malia Obama, in July 1998. They became parents to their second daughter, Sasha, in 2001. Malia made her directorial debut with the release of her short film, The Heart. It premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.While her sister, Sasha, keeps a relatively low public profile. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2023 and is building her career away from the spotlight.