He died of old age Marian Robinson is 86 years oldmother of former US first lady Michelle Obama, the families announced Robinson and Obama.

“My mother, Marian Robinson, was my rock, always there for anything I needed,” Michelle Obama wrote in X.

“She was such a constant support to our entire family and we are devastated to share the news of her loss today,” he added.

Robinson, who was often called the “first grandmother,” moved in with the couple Barack and Michelle Obama and their two daughters Sasha and Malia in the White House in 2009, after the election of Barack Obama. She remained there during his eight-year presidency and helped care for her grandchildren.

Marian Robinson was born in 1937 in South Side of Chicago and had six other siblings. Her parents divorced when she was a teenager. According to her family’s statement, she studied to be a teacher before working as a secretary. She married him Fraser Robinson and they had two children, Michelle and Craig.

“Every step of the way, as our families took paths none of us could have predicted, she remained our shelter from the storm, keeping our feet firmly on the ground,” her family said in a statement.

Often during her eight years in the White House, Marian Robinson would sneak out the gates to buy cards at nearby stores, and other customers would sometimes tell her she looked like the first lady’s mother.

“I’m often told that,” he replied with a smile.

According to the family’s statement – signed by Michelle, Craig, their spouses and children – Marian Robinson passed away “peacefully” on Friday morning.