Malia and Sasha Obama stepped into the spotlight on Thursday, making a rare public appearance at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The former first daughters, now 27 and 25, joined their parents on stage at the star-studded event, nearly a decade after leaving the White House.
The sisters, who were just 10 and 7 when their father was first inaugurated in 2008, have largely stayed out of the public eye since 2017. Their appearance at the South Side Chicago complex marked a significant moment for the family, as the center represents the culmination of more than a decade of planning.
Malia wore a gray blazer and skirt while Sasha opted for a cream-colored outfit with a tan belt as the family sat together on stage watching performances and speeches. Michelle Obama acknowledged her daughters in a touching tribute, thanking them for “bringing so much joy and spirit and energy to a life you had no voice in choosing and for making us proud every step of the way”.
The 19-acre campus features a museum, multiple concert and event venues, public park space, and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library. The opening ceremony drew a who’s who of celebrities and political figures, with performances from Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, and John Legend.
Both sisters have carved their own paths since leaving Washington. Malia graduated from Harvard University in 2021 and has pursued a career in the film industry, working as a writer and director on projects including Donald Glover’s Amazon Prime show Swarm and her short film directorial debut The Heart. She goes by her first and middle name, Malia Ann, professionally.
Sasha earned a sociology degree from the University of Southern California in 2023 and has maintained a lower public profile than her sister. Her father once described her as “completely confident about her own take on the world and is not cowed or intimidated by anybody’s titles or credentials”.
The center officially opens to the public on Friday, Juneteenth, and is expected to draw up to 1 million visitors annually.
