From 2009 to 2017, Malia and Sasha Obama, the daughters of Barack and Michelle Obama, were also the First Daughters of the United States. And though they kept their public appearances or onscreen interviews to a minimum, we couldn’t help but watch them grow up through the years and be proud of the young women they became.
Since leaving the White House, however, the two have lived even more private and quiet lives. Malia, for example, who is celebrating her 25th birthday today on July 4th, has done great strides in her career and academics since leaving 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
In addition to following in her parents’ footsteps and graduating from Harvard University with an Art History degree, Malia also followed her dreams of working in the TV industry as a writer, producer and director. Currently, Barack and Michelle’s oldest daughter is set to direct her very first production, a short film from Donald Glover’s production company Gilga. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
So, in honor of Malia’s milestone 25th birthday, we’ve compiled a list of all the things she’s done–and is doing–since leaving the presidential abode. Check out the full list below!
She Went to Harvard
After taking a gap year between high school and college, Malia followed in her parents’ footsteps and enrolled in the prestigious Harvard University in 2017. Four years later, Malia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with highest honors in 2021. As a newly-graduate, Malia moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career in the TV industry.
She Has Extensive TV Experience
Throughout her time at Harvard, and during the gap year before it, Malia gathered up an impressive list of internships in the TV industry. Malia interned on Lena Dunham’s dramedy Girls, worked at the Weinstein Company before the Harvey Weinstein scandal and interned as a production assistant on Halle Berry’s sci-fi series Extant, per People.
She Moved in With Her Sister
Last year, Malia moved in with her younger sister Sasha in an apartment in Los Angeles while Sasha was still studying at USC. In fact, the two have already hosted their parents for a night of “cocktails,” per Michelle on the TODAY Show. “The martinis were a little weak,” she said, adding that the two were even picky about using coasters. “You never used a coaster in my house!” Michelle told them.
“I think that they realize that they have a unique bond because they’re the only two who know what they just went through — growing up in the White House with the brightest spotlight in the world on you as you were going through adolescence and puberty,” Michelle told People of their special bond.
She’s Not Afraid to Be an Activist
Back in 2020, Barack revealed Malia and Sasha both took charge and participated in the Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country. “Malia and Sasha found their own ways to get involved with the demonstrations and activism that you saw with young people this summer, without any prompting from Michelle and myself, on their own initiative,” the former president told People. “They didn’t do it in a way where they were looking for limelight, they were very much in organizer mode.”
“I could not have been prouder of them,” Barack added.
She Might Be Dating Someone New
In August of last year, Malia was spotted getting cozy with 33-year-old music producer Dawit Eklund. In photographs obtained by Page Six, the two were seen smiling and didn’t shy away from PDA in what was reportedly their third public date together.
Previously, Malia dated Rory Farquharson, a fellow student at Harvard, for a few years since her first semester of college.
She Was a Writer in ‘Swarm’
In her first job out of college, Malia worked as a writer in the Prime Video show Swarm. Singer and actor Donald Glover, who executive produced the show, raved about the budding writer to Vanity Fair. “She’s just like, an amazingly talented person,” Glover said. “She’s really focused, and she’s working really hard.”
Her Dad Is Her Biggest Fan
As she pursues her interests in TV, her dad is supporting her all the way. Talking to Hasan Minhaj on the comedian’s YouTube channel, Barack said he obviously watched Swarm. “I watched it because, A) I was a big fan of Atlanta,” he said. “And I watched it because my daughter worked on it. So, of course, I’ve got to watch it.”
She Is Working on Another Project With Glover
After giving a great impression on Glover, Malia is once again partnering up with the Atlanta alum. Per an interview with GQ, Malia will be creating and directing an upcoming short film for his production company Gilga. “The first thing we did was talk about the fact that she will only get to do this once,” Glover told GQ. “You’re Obama’s daughter. So if you make a bad film, it will follow you around.” Talk about some expert mentor advice!
Leave a Comment