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Barack and Michelle Obama’s daughters grew up under extraordinary public scrutiny. Malia Ann Obama and Natasha Marian Obama—widely known as Sasha—spent eight years in the White House, but their parents worked to give them as ordinary a childhood as possible.
The sisters are now adults with notably different public profiles. Malia has pursued screenwriting and directing, while Sasha has largely stayed out of the spotlight since graduating from college. Here are the verified facts about their family, White House years, education and work.
Who are Barack and Michelle Obama’s daughters?
| Name | Commonly used name | Birth date | Birthplace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malia Ann Obama | Malia | July 4, 1998 | Chicago, Illinois |
| Natasha Marian Obama | Sasha | June 10, 2001 | Chicago, Illinois |
Malia is the older sister. Sasha’s full first name is Natasha; “Sasha” is the nickname by which she has been publicly known for most of her life.
As of August 9, 2026, Malia is 28 and Sasha is 25. Both were born in Chicago before Barack Obama became a national political figure and later the 44th president of the United States.
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Growing up in the White House
The Obama family moved into the White House on January 20, 2009, when Barack Obama was inaugurated as president. Malia was 10 and Sasha was 7. They remained there for the full two-term presidency, leaving on January 20, 2017.
The girls were among the youngest residents of the White House during their father’s administration. Their lives combined ordinary childhood milestones—school, family pets and time with relatives—with constant security, press attention and political symbolism.
Their maternal grandmother, Marian Robinson, lived with the family during the White House years. Her presence helped provide continuity and practical support while Barack Obama served as president and Michelle Obama carried out her public role as first lady.
At his 2008 election-night speech, Barack Obama addressed his daughters directly, thanking them for their patience during the campaign and promising them a puppy. The family adopted a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo in April 2009. A second Portuguese Water Dog, Sunny, joined the family in August 2013.
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Malia Obama: education and film work
Malia took a gap year after graduating from high school. She then attended Harvard University. A 2016 White House announcement identified her as a member of Harvard’s Class of 2021, and public reporting identifies her as having graduated in 2021.
Although many online biographies state a specific Harvard major, reliable public sources do not consistently establish that detail. It is more accurate to describe her as a Harvard graduate than to present an unverified major as fact.
After college, Malia moved toward writing and directing. Her early television work included a staff-writer credit on the 2023 Amazon series Swarm. That credit reflects work on the show’s production; it should not be described as evidence that she currently works on the series.
In 2024, her short film The Heart appeared in the Sundance Film Festival program. She wrote and directed the film under the professional name Malia Ann. Michelle Obama later discussed that professional name in a 2025 podcast interview.
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“Malia Ann” is documented as a name used in professional credits. Public information does not establish that Malia legally changed her name, so the two should not be treated as the same claim.
Malia also directed a Nike commercial connected to WNBA player A’ja Wilson’s A’One shoe launch in May 2025. The commercial was a separate project from The Heart, and both should be understood as parts of her developing film and advertising career.
Sasha Obama: education and public life
Sasha attended the University of Michigan before transferring to the University of Southern California. She graduated from USC in May 2023 with a degree in sociology through the USC Dornsife College.
Unlike her sister, Sasha has not built a publicly documented career around film or another major creative project. As of August 2026, there is no comparably well-sourced public record establishing her current employer, residence or day-to-day profession.
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That limited public record is significant. Sasha has appeared in public coverage because of her family, but the available evidence does not justify filling in the gaps with speculation about her private life, relationships or employment.
How the sisters’ public stories differ
| Subject | Malia Obama | Sasha Obama |
|---|---|---|
| College | Harvard University; publicly reported graduate in 2021 | University of Michigan, then USC |
| Documented professional direction | Writing and directing | No comparably well-sourced current public career record |
| Notable recent credit | The Heart, Swarm, and a 2025 Nike commercial | USC sociology graduate in 2023 |
| Public visibility | Increased through credited creative work | Generally limited and private |
The contrast does not necessarily indicate different relationships with public life. Malia’s work requires public credits, while Sasha has not chosen—or has not yet had—a similarly visible public professional path. A careful account should distinguish between what is documented and what remains private.
What is known—and what is not
The best-supported facts are straightforward: the Obamas have two daughters; both grew up in the White House; Malia graduated from Harvard and has worked in film; Sasha graduated from USC with a sociology degree.
Several common claims need qualification:
- Sasha is not her full first name. Her full name is Natasha Marian Obama.
- Malia is not currently identified as a writer for Swarm. Her documented connection is a staff-writer credit from the show’s 2023 production.
- The Heart and the Nike commercial are different projects. The former is a short film; the latter is a commercial directed in 2025.
- “Malia Ann” should not be called a confirmed legal name change. It is supported as a professional credit name.
- Sasha is not a current University of Michigan student. Her documented college graduation was from USC in 2023.
There is also no reliable basis for presenting unverified claims about either sister’s current residence, romantic relationships, employer or private social-media activity as fact.
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The documentary perspective
Malia and Sasha’s story is less about celebrity access than about growing up inside a historic presidency. Their childhood shows how political families manage visibility: the daughters appeared at major public moments, but their parents also guarded school routines, family time and personal boundaries.
The White House years provide the clearest shared chapter in their biographies. Since leaving Washington, their paths have separated in public view. Malia has allowed audiences to encounter her through creative credits, while Sasha’s education is better documented than her current professional life. That difference is itself a useful reminder that public interest does not create a complete record of a person’s life.
FAQ
How many daughters do Barack and Michelle Obama have?
They have two daughters: Malia Ann Obama and Natasha Marian Obama, who is commonly known as Sasha.
How old are Malia and Sasha Obama?
Malia was born on July 4, 1998, and Sasha was born on June 10, 2001. As of August 9, 2026, they are 28 and 25, respectively.
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Where did Malia and Sasha Obama go to college?
Malia attended Harvard University and was publicly reported as a 2021 graduate. Sasha attended the University of Michigan before transferring to USC, where she graduated in 2023 with a sociology degree.
What does Malia Obama do?
Malia has pursued writing and directing. Her documented work includes a staff-writer credit on Swarm, the short film The Heart, and a Nike commercial connected to A’ja Wilson’s A’One shoe launch.
The Bottom Line
Malia and Sasha Obama spent their formative years in the White House but have taken different approaches to adulthood in public. Malia has developed a documented career in writing and directing, while Sasha graduated from USC and has kept her current professional and personal life largely private. The reliable record is clear on their family history and education; it is not a license to speculate beyond it.
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