Malia and Sasha Reunite with Parents for Rare Public Appearance at Obama Center Opening

Malia and Sasha made a rare appearance Thursday when the former first daughters joined their parents, Barack and Michelle Obama, at the Obama Center opening. No longer are they the little girls who graced the stage, waving to a spirited crowd at Grant Park in Chicago in 2008, the night Obama won the presidential election. Now Malia and Sasha, 27 and 25, respectively, were back in Chicago to celebrate a legacy milestone 18 years later.

Malia wore a light gray blazer coat and matching skirt, with a pair of gray pointed-toe pumps—her hair in long auburn braids. Sasha wore a very different set, with a white off-the-shoulder top and an ankle-length skirt fitted asymmetrically with a large brown leather belt fitted at her waist and adorned with an elaborate clasp. Her braided hairstyle was pulled into a high ponytail. beaded straps. She accessorized with earrings and rings and had her hair back in a ponytail.

Living their lives post-White House, Malia is making her mark in Hollywood as a writer/director (using the name Malia Ann), and Sasha’s independent life in Los Angeles post-college allows her to live a normal adult life. Their presence at the Center as two successful women supporting their father’s legacy, while carving out their own identities away from politics.

Malia and Sasha Reunite with Parents for Rare Public Appearance at Obama Center Opening — Former First Family at the Obama Center Dedication Ceremony in Chicago on June 18. Credit: Getty Images

The former first daughters, along with their parents, welcomed thousands of visitors at the ceremony, including star-studded celebrities, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Tom Hanks, Quinta Brunson, LL Cool J, Steven Spielberg, Conan O’Brien, Gabrielle Union, Tina Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and more. Former U.S. presidents in attendance included Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as foreign leaders, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The dedication ceremony took place on June 18, with the campus and museum officially opening to the public on Juneteenth, June 19, located at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago.

Join the conversation on Malia and Sasha’s rare appearance at the Obama Center @bsm_mag on Instagram

Cover photo credit: Getty Images