Politics
Barack and Michelle Obama Reflect on Living in the White House, Former President Calls It ‘Confining’
Barack and Michelle Obama have mixed feelings about their time in the White House.
In an interview with People published on Wednesday, June 24, the former president, 64, and former first lady, 62, reflected on what life was like for them and their two daughters, Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, when Barack served in the Oval Office from 2009 to 2016.
“Michelle wanted to make sure that it was the people’s house and as first lady helped open it up in ways that were unprecedented. But it is also very confining,” Barack confessed. “I think it was Bill Clinton who called it the crown jewel of the federal penitentiary system. Because for security reasons and all kinds of other reasons, you are confined. It is the bubble inside the bubble. And frankly, I don’t miss a lot of the pomp and circumstance. I don’t miss having to wear a tie every day.”
However, it wasn’t all bad, as the politician said he looks back fondly on serving the country.
“What I miss is the work and the people, who worked so hard, sacrificed so much but somehow kept their sense of humor,” he remarked. “There was a sense of camaraderie.”
As for Michelle, she recalled the joyful memories and milestones she shared with her family at the White House, the place where her daughters spent much of their formative years. Malia was 10 years old when she moved into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and Sasha was just 7.
“We had a fun White House. And it was our home. Our girls lived in the White House longer than they lived in any of the houses because they were so young,” the IMO podcast host explained. “Fourth of July is Malia’s birthday. That whole celebration in the backyard, which we usually devoted to military families, was also her birthday party with fireworks and a yard full of people. Prom happened there, graduation parties, all the last memories of my mom [Marian Robinson], who’s no longer here.”
Nowadays, the couple still have a home base in Washington, DC, according to Architectural Digest.
