The former U.S. president and first lady are now experiencing life as empty nesters. Their children have formed a close friendship over the years and have now taken it a step further by becoming roommates.
Barack and Michelle Obama share two daughters, and online users say one looks “like her dad,” while the other is a “mini” version of her mom. Now in their 20s, Malia and Sasha Obama have earned praise from their parents.
The siblings share a deep connection that has guided them through life in the public eye. Nearly four years after their father’s presidency ended, both were in college — Malia at 22 and Sasha at 19 — when the pandemic brought them back home.
“Malia and Sasha have been with us almost continuously since March, with just a few breaks,” Barack divulged in a joint November 2020 interview.
With their daughters back home, the Obamas appreciated the unexpected time together. Barack noted that having their children join them for dinner each night, playing games, and watching movies brought them a great deal of joy.
As they grew older, the sisters became even closer. “I think part of what’s been also wonderful is seeing Malia and Sasha become such great friends,” Barack expressed.
Though three years apart, their younger days involved the usual sibling rivalries — from borrowing clothes to playful disagreements, according to their father.
The duo’s bond has only strengthened, and as young adults, they chose to share a home. In a November 2022 interview, Michelle admitted she tempered her excitement when Malia and Sasha decided to move in together, not wanting to influence their decision.
Instead, she casually responded, “Okay, well that’s interesting that you guys are going to try living together. We’ll see how it goes.” Deep down, she was grateful her daughters found comfort in each other, saying, “It’s like the one thing you want for them.”
The sisters settled into their Los Angeles apartment, decorating on a budget with finds from yard sales and Ikea. Their new chapter as roommates has brought them even closer, but their mother remains mindful of how much she shares about their lives.
When asked about the hardest truth she revealed in her book, “The Light We Carry,” Michelle explained that honesty has never been difficult for her. “It is what it is,” she said, though she admitted that discussing parenthood came with challenges.
To protect Malia and Sasha’s privacy, the doting parent was cautious about how much she shared, explaining that it was important to limit details about their lives and exposure to the public since they were not seeking attention.
