Malia and Sasha Obama: What You Don't Know About The First Daughters
Malia and Sasha Obama, the daughters of President Barack Obama, lived in the White House from 2009 to 2017. Now that a new administration has arrived, it's a perfect time to look back at the Obama daughters, and how they grew up in the spotlight.
The Obama Girls
Barack and Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha and Malia
Malia Ann Obama was born on July 4th, 1998 and her sister, Sasha, was born Natasha Obama on June 10, 2001. The two moved into the White House at age 7 and age 10 respectively, making Sasha the youngest child to reside there since John F. Kennedy Jr. Both children attended the famous Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C, the same school attended by Chelsea Clinton. Despite their father's position as President of the United States, the Obamas tried to make Sasha and Malia's childhood as normal as possible, including encouraging the girls to participate in activities like tennis, gymnastics, and dance.
A Serious Scare
Infant Sasha with big sister Malia
Sasha Obama developed meningitis when she just 3 months old, and her illness put a lot of stress on her parents. Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which posed a serious risk to Sasha's health. Left untreated, the condition can cause disability, deafness and even death. In 2012, Barack Obama described the scare as "The hardest moment in my life" especially he and Michelle had to watch their daughter have a spinal tap. Luckily Sasha was treated in time, and was fine.
Keeping the Girls Out of the Spotlight
Barack with his daughters when he was a young senator
When he ran for President, Barack Obama and Michelle made a promise to keep their daughters out of the spotlight. He said that he wouldn't have them on the campaign trail, but then he did one interview with the whole family for Access Hollywood. The interview marked the first and only time that the girls would join their father to speak publicly to the media. After the interview, Barack said he regretted involving the entire family.
The Obama Girls All Grown Up
The whole family in 2017
The Obama girls are almost adults. Sasha is now in high school in Washington D.C., and Malia has graduated. Last summer, Sasha was spotted working at a Martha's Vineyard restaurant, Nancy's, as a cashier and busser. The First Daughter still had her Secret Service detail while working at the restaurant, but did the same jobs as the other workers. Malia took a gap year then plans to go to Harvard University in Fall 2017, but Sasha has yet to announce her college choice.
Malia in the Industry
Malia with Kevin Hart on the set of his film Untoucables
Malia is reportedly interested in studying film, and has worked on several sets as an intern. The teenager worked on the set of HBO's Girls in 2015 and was also on staff on the set of CBS's Extant, a now-cancelled show starring Halle Berry. Malia's latest internship is with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, and she's reportedly picking scripts to pitch to movie companies.
Malia Abroad
Malia's trip to Bolivia and Peru was kept under wraps until she came back
When Malia postponed going to college for a year, she picked up her backpack and headed to South America with Where There Be Dragons. The Boulder-based organization specializes in educational trips for students to perform community service, assist in conservation efforts, and have a cultural experience. Malia went to Peru and Bolivia for 83 days, even staying with a local family in Tiquipaya, Bolivia. Guides on the trip weren't even aware of Malia's involvement, thinking the "important American dignitary" was actually another woman in the group.
Jenna Bush describes herself as "fiercely" protective of the Obama daughters
When their father became the 44th President of the United States, the Obama daughters had advice from two women who knew exactly what they were going through: the Bush twins. Jenna and Barbara Bush showed the girls how to slide down the bannisters and other fun things to do in the White House. When Donald Trump was elected POTUS, the Bush twins wrote a heartfelt letter to Malia and Sasha, saying ""We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease. And through it all you had each other. Just like we did. We will be rooting for you."
The Obama Girls, Love, and Dating
Sasha's crush is Ryan Reynolds, it appears
Even though they're the First Daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama are just like other young women: they're interested in romance. Sasha was photographed in 2016 at her first state dinner looking particularly taken with actor Ryan Reynolds, while sister Malia gave the "thumbs up" in the background. President Obama has also confirmed in media interviews that he and Michelle have come to terms with their daughters dating, but that he's not worried because the girls have Secret Service around and that he knows their mother is a great example for them.
Snapchat and Social Media
Malia has been caught on Snapchat at college parties
The First Daughters are active on social media, and have popped up on Snapchat. Malia has appeared on the social networking app with friends at parties, including one with beer pong. Other images have included Malia at Lollapalooza, where she reportedly smoked a joint, or wearing a rap t-shirt. Obama has taken the chance to lecture the girls on how to use social media, and Sasha responded by trolling her father on Snapchat.
Malia has a Stalker
Malia's stalker is on the left, in the striped hat
The Obama daughters have Secret Service detail because they're still high-profile targets, and it's lucky that they do, because Malia has a stalker. Malia works in Tribeca in New York and a man named Jair Niton Cardoso went into her work to post a sign about how he wanted to marry her! Before being sent to a psychiatric hospital in April 2017, the 30-year old Brooklyn resident had been stalking the First Daughter in D.C and New York. However, the story gets weirder, as it seems that he wants to have a career in politics: he's requested paperwork to run for Mayor of Brooklyn!