Former President Barack Obama has never been shy about his pride in daughters Malia and Sasha — but in a new PEOPLE magazine cover story following the June 18 grand opening of his Presidential Center, he took that admiration to a whole new level, admitting the two young women have left him utterly starstruck at his own dinner table.
The candid moment came on the heels of a milestone celebration: the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, where Malia, 27, and Sasha, 25, made a rare joint public appearance alongside their parents. It marked the first time in years the sisters had stepped out with Barack and Michelle Obama at a public event, and the internet took notice almost immediately.
A Dad Who Can Barely Keep Up
In the cover story, set to appear on newsstands Friday, Barack Obama wasted no time singing his daughters’ praises. “Let me tell you,” he said — only to be cut off immediately by former first lady Michelle Obama, who quipped, “Don’t get him started.” He pressed on anyway, describing Malia and Sasha as cooler, smarter and funnier than he ever could have imagined, adding that if he were their age, he would simply sit in silence at the dinner table, unable to keep pace with either of them.
It was a confession equal parts humble and heartwarming from the 44th president of the United States — a man who has addressed world leaders, negotiated international crises and delivered some of the most widely watched speeches in modern political history, now cheerfully outclassed by his own kids.
Michelle, for her part, was equally effusive. She said that as wonderful as Malia and Sasha are, they simply reflect the best of their generation back at the world — and that there are millions of young people just like them.
A Stylish, Long-Awaited Appearance
The Chicago opening itself was a star-studded affair. Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Bono and Jennifer Hudson all performed, while George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attended with their wives, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. Joe Biden and Jill Biden were also present for the occasion.
But much of the public’s attention landed squarely on the Obama daughters. Malia — who dropped her last name professionally and now goes by Malia Ann — arrived in a light grey blazer with a matching skirt, paired with grey pointed-toe heels, her hair styled in braids and waves. Sasha turned heads in a white off-the-shoulder top and an asymmetric matching skirt, accessorized with a large brown bag, oversized earrings and rings, her hair swept into a high ponytail. Both sisters looked polished and poised, prompting widespread praise online for their distinct personal styles.
The two have worked hard to keep low profiles since the family departed the White House in 2017. Malia and Sasha were 10 and seven years old, respectively, when their father was elected president. The sisters have largely succeeded in carving out private lives away from the scrutiny that follows their parents everywhere.
From the White House to Their Own Worlds
Both daughters have built impressive lives since stepping back from public view. Malia Ann graduated from Harvard in 2021 and has since established herself as a filmmaker, writer and director. She worked as a writer on Amazon Prime’s 2023 thriller series Swarm and helmed the short film The Heart, which debuted at Sundance in 2024. Sasha graduated from the University of Southern California in 2023 and, according to her mother, is continuing her education.
Despite the whirlwind week of celebrations, the Obamas remain firmly rooted in Washington, D.C. Michelle said the family’s primary residence has stayed there because that is where the girls’ friends are — and when Malia and Sasha come home from time away, being near those friends matters most to them.
A Center Built on Hope
During the opening ceremony, Michelle offered a deeply personal tribute to her daughters, reflecting on how much they have grown since the days of hide-and-seek on the South Lawn with the family dog, Bo, and sleepovers in the solarium. She told the crowd that both young women have blossomed into brilliant and beautiful adults making their own way in the world.
Beyond the family moment, both Obamas framed the Presidential Center as something larger than a monument to their years in office. They described it as a place built for community, connection and future generations — a space where art, music, sport and shared experience can strengthen the bonds that hold a democracy together. Michelle said the center exists as a reminder that every generation carries a responsibility to preserve hope for those who have not yet had a voice.
The July 6, 2026, issue of PEOPLE, photographed by Matt Sayles and written by Janine Rubenstein, hits newsstands Friday.