Presidential Center inauguration: Michelle Obama’s powerful gesture and Barack’s tears

On June 18, former U.S. President Barack Obama inaugurated his presidential center in Chicago, Illinois. Accompanied by his wife, Michelle Obama, he unveiled what he considers “a beacon”—a historic site that pays tribute to ordinary citizens. It was a deeply moving moment.

The vast 8-hectare campus, which includes a museum, a library, a sports complex, a forum, and outdoor gardens, is not “a monument to my legacy; it’s a gateway to yours,” said Barack Obama. The Presidential Center, which officially opened its doors to the public on Friday, June 19, is located in the South Side neighborhood—the very same neighborhood where Michelle Obama and her mother grew up. For the former First Lady of the United States, it's a powerful tribute to the shared history she has with her husband.

At the reception held ahead of the inauguration, Michelle Obama made an appearance in a skirt entirely customized by the Swedish fashion house Acne Studios. This one-of-a-kind piece was adorned with a portrait of her late mother, Marian Robinson. It was a “secret” outfit that her husband saw for the first time that evening. “He hadn’t realized this portrait existed until a few minutes ago,” she confided, her gaze fixed on the former president, who was visibly moved by this thoughtful gesture.

“I’m a little overwhelmed by all of this, because I loved my mother-in-law very much, and she provided a home for Michelle and Craig (her brother)—not with great wealth, but with a lot of love, hope, and perspective.” Moved to tears, Barack Obama continued: “To me, they embody the very best of this country.”

A past that brings people together

Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama’s mother, was born and died in Chicago. From 2009 to 2017, during her son-in-law’s two terms in office, she chose to leave her hometown behind and move to the White House to care for her two granddaughters. She passed away in May 2024 at the age of 86.