What did Michelle Obama learn from her mother’s final words? Former first lady reflects on a timeless lesson from Marian Robinson

2025 Martha
2025 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival - Source: Getty

On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, former First Lady of the United States of America Michelle Obama joined People Inc. in New York for an exclusive interview to promote her recent book, The Look.

While speaking with long-time friend La La Anthony, Michelle shared her views on death and how she is preparing herself and her daughters for her passing. She recalled her last conversation with her mother, which taught her a timeless lesson about living and dying.

Michelle and her mother, Marian Robinson, were sitting on a couch watching TV when Marian said, “Wow, that was quick.” Michelle later learned that her mother was speaking about life.

“That's all she said, but what I got from that was even in her practical-minded way, that you're never ready. And I don't think that she was done living. It just comes, and then life is over. I was like, 'Let me hear that. Let me understand that, that even with a wonderful life, I want to be present,’” Michelle told Anthony.

She added:

“I think that feeling of 60 is about trying to be present in the feeling. Trying to be present in this moment in my life so that this last chapter is exactly the way I want it to be.”

Michelle Obama revealed that Marian had long been preparing her and her brother for her passing.

“What she was doing was letting us know that she loved us, but that we could live life with and without her, and I understand that now as a parent.”

And now she is doing the same for her children.

“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.'”

Michelle Obama is the mother of two daughters, Malia and Sasha.


More details on Michelle Obama’s recent book

Michelle Obama released an autobiography titled The Look on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The look is a 304-page account of Michelle’s life with contributions from stylist and creative consultant Meredith Koop and English professor Farah Jasmine Griffin.

According to Google Books, The Look is:

“Beautifully illustrated with more than 200 photographs, including never-before-seen images, The Look is a stunning journey through Michelle Obama’s style evolution, in her own words for the first time.”

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Edited by Tanisha Aggarwal