'He never felt sorry for himself': Michelle Obama gets emotional opening up about late dad's MS battle
Former first lady Michelle Obama opened up about the impact her father had on her life in 'Revolt x Michelle Obama: The Cross Generational Conversation'. She emphasized that every Black father should know that they have such a strong impact on their children, as she got emotional while recalling her old days. In a panel-style chat streaming on Revolt platforms, Michelle said, "When I think about what my dad, as a Black man with MS, could've done — he could have never worked a day in his life, he could have collected benefits, he could have succumbed to his disease and be depressed about it, but he didn't."
The 58-year-old continued, sharing how committed her father was to his family despite severe health problems, "He never felt sorry for himself, he never expected others to do for him, and just the sheer act of him getting up every day and going to work was a statement that — ugh, now I'm going to cry — that stays with me every day of my life." Michelle’s father, Fraser Robinson III, was a pump worker at the Chicago water plant and also served as a precinct captain for the Democratic Party. He died after suffering from prolonged complications of multiple sclerosis, at the age of 55.
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Michelle, who was 27, then further said, "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the lessons he taught us and how he is not here to see any of it, and so much of it is because of him. That is the power of what a working-class Black man can do in the world, which is why I don't want any Black man out here to think that they don't have something to offer their kids.
She thanked her father for being rock solid and providing for the family, "What my dad did was beyond money, title, influence, nothing. I would trade it all for what my father provided us in that little bitty apartment on 74th and Euclid." The conversation was organized among Black women of various ages discussing what it means to be a woman of color in America, reports People. The special 2-hour event was moderated by radio host Angie Martinez, with other guests including H.E.R, 25; Winnie Harlow, 28; Kelly Rowland, 41; Michelle Obama, 58; and Tina Knowles-Lawson, 68. The episode will premiere on REVOLT, Wednesday, December 14 at 8 pm ET.