*Back in 2008, Barack Obama made history as the USA’s 44th President, becoming the first African American to lead the nation. After Barack Obama‘s eight years as president, it might seem like we know all about his family: Michelle, Malia, Sasha, and even Craig Robinson (brother-in-law).
Yet, beyond this immediate circle, Obama’s extended family includes his siblings residing both in the United States and worldwide. Behind the charismatic leader known to the world lies a network of siblings who have played a profound role in shaping his journey.
Here is a compilation of information about Barack Obama’s siblings.
Family of Barack Obama: Parents and Siblings
Born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Barack Obama II’s parents, Barack Obama Sr. and S. Ann Dunham, married after meeting at the University of Hawaii.
Obama Sr., a Kenyan, left when Obama was two for Harvard, later becoming a Kenyan government economist, meeting his son only once before he died in a fatal 1982 car accident. Although he was the only biological child of his parents, Barack Obama has 8 half-siblings.
Despite already being married and having 2 children, Obama Sr. didn’t disclose this to Dunham when they married. Dunham divorced him in 1964 upon discovering this, and he later married Ruth Beatrice Baker, his third wife, whom he met at Harvard that same year. Obama Sr. and Ruth Baker divorced in 1973 after nine years together.
Following the divorce, he had relationships with different women and had another child before his death. Obama’s paternal siblings consist of half-sister Auma Obama and half-brothers Malik Obama, David Ndesandjo, Mark Ndesandjo, Bernard Obama, Roy Obama, and George Obama.
Following her 1964 separation, Stanley Ann Dunham, an anthropologist, married Lolo Soetoro in 1965, an Indonesian student.
They moved to Jakarta with her young son, Barack Obama, who lived there for 4 years with half-sister Maya Soetoro, attending both Muslim and Catholic schools. Obama’s mom, concerned about his education, sent him to live with his grandparents in Hawaii when he was ten.
Unfortunately, Barack Obama didn’t have the chance to grow up with his siblings, except for Maya Soetoro-Ng, with whom he spent some of his younger years. However, Barack is now quite close to many of them. Interested in learning more about his siblings and extended family? Keep reading!
How Barack Obama’s Siblings Shaped His Life and Career
As a child, Barack Obama’s family impacted his values, influencing the principles that later shaped his political beliefs. Even though his paternal siblings are spread across Kenya, China, and America, and despite his growing fame, Barack Obama acknowledges that his extended family has played a significant role in shaping the person he is today.
In the opening of his bestselling journal, Dreams from My Father (1995), Obama expressed his deepest gratitude to his mom, grandparents, and siblings spread across the globe by dedicating the novel to his family.
Maya Soetoro-N
Born in 1970, Maya Soetoro-Ng is Barack Obama’s only sister from his mom’s side. Originally from Indonesia, she later moved to Hawaii and then to New York. Maya worked in the education sector before becoming a consultant for the Obama Foundation concentrating particularly on the Asia-Pacific area.
In a conversation with PEOPLE magazine, Barack Obama’s younger sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, recalled their childhood and the valuable lessons that influenced how they are guiding the next generation of leaders.
She also talked about the legacy of their shared mother, who consistently showed courage in loving people with great differences.
Despite her older brother becoming the President of the United States, Maya and Barack Obama have kept a close and affectionate bond. In both the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, Maya actively campaigned for brother, even speaking at the Democratic National Convention both times.
Auma Obama
Auma Obama was born in 1960 in Nairobi, Kenya, to Barack Obama Sr. and his first wife. Auma, who has both Kenyan and British citizenship, left Kenya to study in Germany. Later, she moved to England with her mother, and they both became British citizens.
Auma went to the University of Heidelberg and later studied at the University of Bayreuth. She started her career in marketing and journalism, eventually finding her way into humanitarian work.
In 2007, she came back to Kenya to work with CARE International, a group dedicated to fighting poverty globally. After 3 years, she established the Sauti Kuu Foundation, focusing on helping underprivileged children, girls, and youth.
As per a CNN interview, Barack Obama and Auma met when they were in their twenties after he invited her to Chicago. They traveled side by side, delving into their family history, as recounted in Barack’s memoir Dreams From My Father.
During Barack’s presidential campaign, Auma actively supported him. Though she primarily emphasizes her foundation in public, she occasionally uses her link to her famous brother to aid needy people.
She is a social activist, sociologist, and author. Over the years, she has been actively involved in various charitable and social initiatives, working towards community development and empowerment.
Her commitment to humanitarian work and dedication to combating global poverty has undoubtedly influenced Obama’s values of service and social responsibility.
The bond with his half-brothers, Malik, Mark, David, and George, further adds depth to the support system that has been integral to Obama’s personal and professional growth.
Their shared experiences, perspectives, and familial ties have contributed to the resilience and determination seen throughout his political career. Growing up with a family dispersed across continents and cultures, he gained a unique perspective that informed his approach to leadership.
These half-siblings, while having different life paths, have contributed to Barack Obama’s broader perspective and have played roles in shaping his experiences and understanding of family dynamics.
The unwavering support and shared experiences within this extended family have contributed to the resilience and determination that characterize Barack Obama’s remarkable trajectory in both public service and global influence.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB:Â Barack Obama Shares Throwback Family Photo During Christmas Holiday
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
