“America had come to see Barack as self-assured and powerful, but my mother also recognized the gravity of the passage, the loneliness of the job ahead,” Michelle Obama wrote of her mother, Marian Robinson in her memoir ‘Becoming’. Today, the former First Lady of the United States had to frame her words to announce the passing away of the beautiful soul aged 86, who passed away “peacefully” on Friday morning. Mrs. Robinson’s reliable, humble, and considerate presence has had condolences pouring in numbers from everyone who crossed paths. This has also included Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who precisely put his feelings about Mrs. Robinson into words. 

The 5x champion expressed on X penning, “May you rest in peace the remarkable Marian Robinson… Mrs. Robinson had a commanding presence and shining light in the White House while President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in office. While gentle and low-profile, she was a giant in spirit, force, class, and elegance.” 

Johnson was also grateful that he had a chance to strike up a conversation with Mrs. Robinson on a few occasions at the White House. He shared, “She was kind and smart and you could tell she was incredibly proud of her children,” of the experience.

It’s a tough start to the day for everyone who loved Marian Robinson. 

Mrs. Robinson’s influence was beyond anyone’s dreams, shaping the Obamas. Crediting her importance in the White House, people even gave her a nickname, “First Grandma“. Mrs. Robinson, who moved to the White House upon Barack and Michelle Obama’s request because they ‘needed her,’ described the place as a museum. She said, “The White House reminds me of a museum… My job here is the easiest one of all: I just get to be Grandma.” The 86-year-old was not just a grandma for Malia and Sasha, but a warming figure for countless more.

Michelle Obama sheds importance on Mrs. Robinson despite heartbreaking times 

Marian Robinson was a mother to two, whom she raised, being a secretary and a wife to Frasier Robinson. “Our refuge from the storm,” the Obama statement called her. Michelle further enclosed, “My mom… was my rock, always there for whatever I needed. She was the same steady backstop for our entire family.”

Mrs. Robinson was there to be the first on to hold her son-in-law’s hand when he was announced the president and there when her family moved towards an daunting chapter. Her agreement to move to the White House stemmed from her concern towards the Obamas and a wish to provide her granddaughters with normalcy. “I was worried about their safety,” she reasoned her decision.

Former-POTUS Barack Obama, who has experienced Robinson’s humbling force first hand, wrote, “There was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of ours trying to live up to her example.” 

Marian Robinson’s legacy will be continued in the Obamas, pressingly in her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, who she spent most time with, and son Craig, his wife, Kelly, and their 4 four children. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video: