Barack Obama Praises Michelle's Mom in Heartfelt Facebook Post: 'She's Been There for Us Every Day'

Barack and Michelle Obama have both sent heartfelt messages about the former first lady's mother, Marian Shields Robinson, for her 82^nd birthday.

The former president shared two photographs featuring himself and Robinson on social media, including one of them holding hands, while he praised his mother-in-law for how much she has helped the family down the years.

"You've probably seen Michelle's mom, Marian Robinson, in photos with our family at inaugurations, Christmas tree lightings, Easter Egg Rolls, and a whole lot more," Barack Obama wrote on Facebook.

"But what you haven't seen is the way she's been there for us every day—not just for Michelle and our daughters, but for me, too. I've always appreciated her steadiness, her perspective, and the way a wisecrack from her reverberates around the room. Happy birthday, Marian—here's to many more."

Michelle Obama also paid tribute while posting a photograph from her mother's younger days, which bears a close resemblance to herself.

"Whenever I see this picture, and the look in my mother's eyes, I wonder if she has any idea what's coming in the decades ahead: Real love and real loss, children and grandchildren who'd keep her on her toes, a wild ride to places she'd only read about or seen on television," she wrote on Facebook.

"But I also see something else in those eyes, something that guided me every day from the moment I was born—her unflappable belief that whatever came her way, she'd manage it. And because she'd manage, we all would, too. Happy birthday, Mom. I love you!"

Earlier this year, Michelle Obama penned an essay for People magazine about Robinson for Mother's Day. In the emotional article, the former first lady described her as a "sweet, witty companion who doesn't need the limelight."

"As I've grown older, I've seen how her manner in conversation also reflects her approach to parenting. Because when it came to raising her kids, my mom knew that her voice was less important than allowing me to use my own," Michelle Obama added.

In January 2009, following Barack Obama's historic presidential election win, the family confirmed that Robinson would be joining them when they moved into the White House.

Speaking to CBS' This Morning alongside her daughter during the promotion for her hugely successful memoirs in 2018, Becoming, Robinson described the difficulties in moving from her hometown of Chicago to Washington.

"It was a huge adjustment. As a matter of fact, I had talked [the White House staff] into allowing me to do my own laundry," she said.