Former President Barack Obama reportedly told Michelle Obama that she would be “next up” to die after the death of her 86-year-old mother in 2024.
Michelle opened up on Wednesday during her brother Craig Robinson’s “IMO” podcast, discussing how her life transformed following her mother’s passing. She mentioned that Barack’s blunt reminder about mortality was quite striking, as noted in a clip shared by TMZ on May 8.
“With my mom gone, I think—thank goodness I have you as my older brother and a husband who’s older,” she recalled. “Barack said, ‘Well, you’re next up.’”
She shared that she challenged her husband’s remark.
“I said, ‘I’m not really ready to be next up.’ I told him, ‘You’re next up, and so is Craig,’” she recounted.
After that blunt reality-check from Barack, Michelle seemed to shift her perspective. “I delegate that power to you,” she remarked, humorously suggesting that Barack might be the first to go due to his age.
She noted that true adulthood begins when parents are no longer there to “manage and maintain” things. Michelle and Craig lost their father, Fraser C. Robinson III, in 1991 at just 55. Their mother, Marian Robinson, died in May 2024.
Recently, Michelle has been sharing more of her personal thoughts and feelings as part of a period of transformation. She mentioned focusing more on herself after stepping away from her former role as first lady.
On the Jay Shetty Podcast, she discussed returning to therapy and working with a new therapist who is helping her explore her personal issues in greater depth. “I’m 60 years old, I’ve completed a really challenging chapter with my family intact, and I’m an empty nester now,” she reflected. “My girls—well, they’ve launched.”
Michelle has also addressed and dispelled recent rumors about her marriage facing difficulties.
