Michelle Obama has shared a candid moment following the death of her mother, Marian Robinson, revealing a blunt remark made by her husband, former President Barack Obama.

During the latest episode of the “Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast” which she co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson the former First Lady opened up about how the loss of their mother in May 2024 at the age of 86 has impacted their lives and sense of responsibility within the family.

Reflecting on a private exchange, Michelle recalled Barack saying to her, “You’re next up,” a comment she admitted she wasn’t fully ready to hear.

“I guess if anything, with mom's loss, thank God you're my big brother and I have a husband who's older,” Michelle told Craig on the show. “Barack was saying, ‘Well, you're next up.’ And I said, ‘I’m not really ready to be next up.’ I told him, ‘You're next up. Craig is next up. I delegate that power to you.’”

Their father, Fraser C. Robinson, passed away in 1991 at age 55, making the death of Marian Robinson a profound turning point for the siblings.

“That’s really when you become an adult when your parents are no longer there to guide and manage things,” Michelle continued. “Eventually, each of us steps into that role. We become the parent. We become the convener. We become the glue.”

She acknowledged the weight of that shift: “It’s a major moment in your life. I don’t care how old you get—mom and dad are still mom and dad. Even when I was caring for mom, I still had to listen to her. Sure, I could sort of boss her around, but in the end, she was my mother.”

Michelle described the comfort and stability her mother always provided: “No matter how wise or experienced I became, mom always knew more. There’s a peace in that.”

She also shared that she has begun therapy to help her transition into this new phase of life. “Losing mom made me realize that it’s time to recalibrate. This next chapter is about growth, but also about understanding what it means to lead the family in a new way.”