Obamas

The Obamas are an American political family best known for Barack Obama, the 44th president, and Michelle Obama, the former first lady. Their daughters, Malia and Sasha, grew up in the public eye during the presidency. The surname Obama originates from Barack Obama Sr., with family roots in Kenya; Barack was born in Hawaii and raised in the United States and Indonesia during his youth.

Barack H. Obama II (born 1961) was educated at Occidental College, Columbia University, and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review. He served in the Illinois State Senate (1997–2004) and the U.S. Senate (2005–2008) before winning the 2008 presidential election and being reelected in 2012, serving from 2009 to 2017.

The Obama presidency pursued health care reform, economic recovery, and foreign policy changes. The Affordable Care Act expanded health coverage; the Dodd-Frank Act reformed financial regulation; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act addressed the recession. The administration supported the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, created DACA protections for some young undocumented immigrants, and pursued diplomacy with Cuba, the Iran nuclear deal, and the Paris Agreement.

Since leaving office, the Obamas have engaged in public service through the Obama Foundation and related initiatives. Michelle Obama has written Becoming (2018) and led initiatives such as Let's Move! and Reach Higher; Barack Obama has published The Audacity of Hope and The Promised Land and continued public speaking. The family splits time between Washington, D.C., and other residences, and remains active in charitable and civic projects.