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.
Her daughters reviewed passages about them before publication, and Michelle emphasized that their inclusion was intended to help others. However, she maintained the importance of boundaries, stating that they were not social media figures and did not seek paparazzi attention due to her book.
That said, the Obamas’ close-knit family dynamic remains strong, even as Malia and Sasha continue carving their own paths.
Malia: A Creative Force in Film and Television
Michelle and Barack welcomed their first daughter in July 1998. Now 26, she received a birthday tribute from her father in July 2024.
On Instagram, Barack shared a throwback photo of them holding hands, writing, “Happy birthday, Malia. One of the greatest joys of my life is watching you grow into the extraordinary woman you’ve become today – and the fact that you’re still willing to hold your dad’s hand in public!”
Malia has grown into adulthood with the same thoughtful nature her parents admired in her as a child. Described as “wise and thoughtful,” she collected keychains, took drama classes, and showed independence early — setting her own alarm and making her bed by first grade.
Malia, Michelle, Sasha, and Barack Obama during his caucus night rally on January 3, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa. | Source: Getty Images
“My 9-year-old is always coming up with remarkable things,” Barack said in a 2008 interview, sharing how his daughters’ kindness often moved him to tears.
Malia and Barack Obama during an outing on December 26, 2008, in Hawai’i Kai, Hawaii. | Source: Getty Images
He recalled a moment when Malia, then six, asked, “Daddy, are we rich?” After he explained they were well off but not extremely wealthy, she responded, “Well, that’s good because I don’t want to be really rich. I think I want to live a simple life.” Her words left him wondering, “Where did she come up with that?”
Malia and Barack Obama pictured at the Honolulu Zoo on January 3, 2009, in Honolulu, Hawaii. | Source: Getty Images
Malia’s independent spirit carried into young adulthood. At 18, she graduated from Sidwell Friends School in June 2016 and planned to attend Harvard after a gap year. As the Obamas prepared to leave the White House, Barack admitted, “They’re ready to get out, just out from their parents’ house… But Malia’s going off to college. She’s a grown woman.”
Malia Obama is seen in Tribeca on March 29, 2017, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Malia’s journey after college took her into the entertainment industry, where she pursued her passion for storytelling. After graduating from Harvard in 2021, she became a writer and director. She directed the 2023 short drama film, “The Heart.”
Malia Ann Obama attends the premiere of “The Heart,” 2024 | Source: Getty Images
In addition, the Chicago native’s work in television gained attention with her contributions to a high-profile streaming series. She made her TV writing debut on “Swarm,” co-writing episode five, “Girl, Bye,” for the Prime Video series created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers.
Nabers, the showrunner, described the episode as “probably one of the wildest” and praised Malia as “an incredible writer” with bold and hilarious ideas. Before joining “Swarm,” she interned on “Girls” and worked as a production assistant on “Extant.”
“She’s a very professional person,” said the showrunner in an interview, emphasizing how the team wanted to give her the chance to explore television writing. The opportunity allowed the Chicago native to refine her skills and gain experience in a fast-paced creative environment.
Malia’s work in film earned her international recognition when she won the New Generation prize for “The Heart” at the Festival de Deauville in September 2024 As she walked the red carpet, online users shared their thoughts on her appearance and success.
Some were struck by her resemblance to her parents, with one noting, “She’s her dad’s twin, but her mother is written all over her… she’s amazing.” Others focused on her likeness to Barack, with comments like “Looks just like her dad. Soo beautiful” and “OMG. She looks just like Barack.”
Another echoed, “She’s just like her dad omg.” Meanwhile, one pointed out how she embodies both of her parents, “She is such an exact combination of her parents.”
Malia Obama arrives at the 50th Deauville American Film Festival on September 6, 2024, in Deauville, France. | Source: Getty Images
As Malia continued making strides in the entertainment industry, Sasha embraced her own journey, earning just as much love and admiration from her family.
Malia Obama during the 50th Deauville American Film Festival on September 6, 2024, in Deauville, France. | Source: Getty Images
Sasha: Embracing Independence and Success
Barack and Michelle welcomed their second daughter in June 2001. To celebrate her 21st birthday in June 2022, Barack shared a tribute alongside a throwback photo of him holding her as a baby.
“Happy birthday, Sasha! I have loved watching you grow into the intelligent, beautiful, and caring young woman you’ve become. And no matter how old you get — you’ll always be my baby girl. Look at those cheeks!” he wrote.
Sasha’s lively personality has always brought laughter to the Obama household. In an interview, Barack described her as “full of energy and the comedian in the family.”
One moment that stood out to him was when she humorously protested an early morning wake-up. After Michelle turned on the lights, urging them to get ready for school, Sasha, still half-asleep, declared, “Awww, Mommy, we are peace!” The father of two recalled that she likely meant peaceful and shared that he and his wife later used the phrase whenever they wanted quiet time.
In addition, Sasha’s childhood was filled with a mix of sports, arts, and academics. She played basketball, took tap dance and gymnastics lessons, and — alongside Malia — learned tennis and piano.
After graduating from Sidwell Friends School in 2019, Sasha began college at the University of Michigan, starting with online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The school later reopened for in-person learning while still offering virtual options.
By May 2023, she had reached another milestone — earning a sociology degree from the University of Southern California. Barack, Michelle, and Malia were there to celebrate her achievement.
The following year, online users noticed her strong resemblance to her mother in a birthday tribute photo. Many pointed out the striking similarity, with one commenting, “So gorgeous like her mummy [sic].” Another stated, I’m stuck on watching her grow up in front of my eyes!!!!! beautiful inside and out!!! [sic]” and someone else added, “Wow!! Sasha is a beautiful girl as her mom!”
More admiration followed, with one person writing, “She’s absolutely stunning like her mother. “Another marveled, “Oh my gosh!! She is a beautiful woman now!! “ Someone else stated, “She’s a mini you.”
Over the years, Michelle Obama has cherished the experience of watching her daughters mature. During an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” she shared that spending time with them is “fun” and called them “amazing young women.”
Ellen DeGeneres recalled their first visit when they were eight and ten, excited to see the Jonas Brothers. “They loved the Jonas Brothers. Now they are bringing grown men home,” Michelle joked, adding, “Before it was just, like, pop bands. Now they have boyfriends and real lives.”
She credited her mother’s advice about raising “real people” and ensured Malia and Sasha learned responsibility — from making their beds to driving. Those lessons, she believes, shaped who they are today.
