'No Words': Inside Sasha Obama's Transformation from Being Sick as a Child to a Confident Woman as She Turns 23

• Former US president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's daughter, Sasha, went through a health scare as a child.
• Sasha grew up under the media spotlight and has not been spared of public criticism. She has been critiqued for her appearance.
• Today, Sasha has left her parents home, graduated from college, and is a brilliant, independent, and thriving young woman.

Former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have two kids, Malia and Natasha, who goes by Sasha. Barack and Michelle raised their kids in the public eye; today, they have become their own people.

Michelle pointed out that one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their children is the freedom to find their own way in the world. So, she tried to ensure her daughters had plenty of space to speak their minds, make mistakes, follow their passions, and go wherever it might lead them.

As Sasha and Malia grew up, their parents strove to give their kids a normal life amidst their busy political existence. Even at the White House, Michelle said her first job was being a mother to her two girls. The couple would hold birthday parties for their daughters and have their friends for a sleepover. The kids would get lots of presents from their friends during these celebrations.

As much as Michelle and Barack didn't give their girls birthday presents, they gave them an allowance. They'd give Malia a dollar a week as long as she did her chores. Barack would feel guilty when he owed Malia 10 weeks' allowance when he'd be out of town, especially since she would do her chores without asking for pocket money.

The kind of chores the former first daughters would do included setting the table, rinsing the dishes, and cleaning up their half of the third floor where they played. The girls also had a closet of toys they had to clean and were required to practice their piano daily.

Michelle and Barack were also keen on their girls' health. Barack admitted that his interest in health care was more personal than political. When Sasha was three months old, her parents rushed her to the emergency room, where she was treated for viral meningitis.

Reflecting on a frightening moment, Barack remembered the fear and helplessness he experienced as Sasha was rushed for a spinal tap. He acknowledged that timely intervention in the face of infection might not have been possible without the girls having a trusted pediatrician they could call in the middle of the night.

Michelle and Barack's daughters soon left the nest when they went to college. The couple dropped off Sasha to college, an experience they wanted to be as normal as possible considering their famous status. Barack and his wife acted like ordinary parents as they helped her unpack and arrange her dorm room to feel like home.

Michelle admitted it was a "little emotional to drop Sasha off at college." After Malia and Sasha were away from home, she added that the "tough part" was "missing our girls." The duo adjusted to seeing their daughters for a weekend or holiday break, and due to the scarcity of these occasions, the moments they spent together felt extra special.

The former first lady was also glad her kids were reachable as much as they weren't physically with her. She could text Malia while studying at Harvard and know what she was thinking. Generally, she was excited that they were off on their next adventure. She said, "I don't need my children to make me happy. I had them so they'd be happy."

In 2022, while marketing her memoir, "The Light We Carry," Michelle revealed that Malia and Sasha lived together in Los Angeles. The younger sister had moved from Michigan to join Malia in Los Angeles. During video calls, Michelle witnessed how the sisters were decorating their home.

"They were building a home, deliberately and proudly," wrote Michelle in her memoir. When Michelle and Barack visited, their daughters showed them their apartment, which they had furnished with items from yard sales and the nearby IKEA because they had to watch their budget.

The four were going to eat dinner at a restaurant, but the girls first served their parents a drink, with Malia announcing that she'd never known how "outrageously expensive cheese can be." Michelle was amazed at how responsible her kids were, as they even had coasters, which they hadn't bothered to use when they were under their parents' care.

Michelle Obama was also happy to see how close her daughters were. Malia and Sasha have each other's back and are one another's support system, which Michelle described as what "a mother would want." This closeness is what Michelle is most proud of in her daughters, as she said, "The thing I loved the most is that those two girls are each other's best friend."

During the pandemic, the girls used to living together had to return home and stay with their parents as campuses closed. The siblings took their classes online and were safe at home. However, Barack said he was sure there was a time when Malia and Sasha felt claustrophobic from staying indoors.

However, Michelle and Barack appreciated this bonus time as they spent it with their daughters, who had already left the nest. They had dinner together each night, played games, and watched movies. "There's been a lot of joy in that," admitted Barack.

Barack also commented on Malia and Sasha's bond. He expressed his belief that Malia and Sasha share a unique bond because, as the only two who experienced growing up in the White House under intense public scrutiny during adolescence and puberty, they understand each other's journey.

Barack speculated that Malia and Sasha have a tight bond because they are now on the other side of the spotlight and publicity, having left the White House. Not only are the sisters cohabiting, but they are flourishing and thriving together, and each is a successful young woman.

In 2022, while on "The Ellen Show," Michelle gushed about how grown her daughters were, that they now had real lives and were bringing boyfriends home. "They have grown up right before our very eyes," she noted. Two days after Michelle said these comments, Sasha was spotted with Clifton Powell Jr., the son of "The Gospel" actor Clifton Powell.

Sasha and Clifton were allegedly dating, and an exclusive photo shared by The Daily Mail showed the two embracing. The duo reportedly got together in 2021 after Sasha moved to Los Angeles from Michigan. Clifton attended Village Christian High School in San Fernando Valley.

He is a former college basketball star accepted to the University of California Santa Barbra under a four-year basketball scholarship. However, Clifton didn't last a year at the college as he left to concentrate on film work. He now works as a commercial director, creating content for Nike and Peloton.

In May 2023, Sasha graduated from college as her mother, father, and sister looked on. She graduated with a degree in sociology from the University of Southern California (USC). Sasha had started her freshman at the University of Michigan in 2019 before transferring to the Los Angeles school.

Michelle and Barack are proud of their daughter. When Sasha Obama turned 22 on June 10, 2023, her dad shared a throwback picture holding the young girl and said he couldn't wait to see what the new year brings to the "confident, intelligent, and beautiful young woman" she had become.

Michelle also shared a photo of herself having fun with an excited young Sasha. She wished her daughter a happy birthday, writing, "Sasha, you bring so much light and joy to our lives—always have, always will. I'm so excited to see what this new year will bring you. Love you so much!"

Michelle and Barack are in awe of their successful daughters. The parents saw Malia and Sasha growing up in the spotlight of the media and the pressures of politics and are thrilled that they turned out to be brilliant, gorgeous, and independent young women.

The Obama girls have blossomed into young ladies and have embarked on their young adulthood journeys. One of their most recent young adulthood milestones saw them venture into living away from their parents' home.

While talking about her book "The Light We Carry," in a previous interview, doting mama bear Michelle spoke about her reaction when her girls informed her they would be moving into their own place together. After using a bit of reverse psychology to keep them interested in the idea, Michelle gushed:

"...it feels good to know that the two girls you raised find solace at a kitchen table with one another. It's like the one thing you want for them."

According to an excerpt from their mom's book, Sasha and Malia's apartment in Los Angeles is kitted with a mix of items from IKEA and yard sales. Additionally, they picked out unique end tables, pretty bedspreads, and a dining room table.

In 2023, then 22-year-old Sasha, who shares an apartment with her sisters in Los Angeles, was seen hanging out with her friends, dressed in a bikini top, which showed off her midriff and a long skirt. Pictures also showed Sasha smoking a cigarette as she stood in the street chatting with her pals.

When people saw the pictures of Sasha, who also had her hair braided, some criticized her appearance. They expressed their shock and disapproval of the photos and said harsh words about her. One person commented:

"I have no words..."

As others continued to comment negatively on the images, some took digs at Sasha's weight. Another person rudely remarked:

"she certainly doesn't hit the gym like her momma."

Although many were quick to slam Sasha, others defended her. One commentator said, "Only a young confident woman would feel good in that outfit. Good on her obviously enjoying her life."

While others praised the USC graduate for being free and confident, one viewer of the photos still expressed slight concern about her smoking. The unknown individual elaborated that though Sasha is well within her rights to live the life she wants, she should go to the gym because she smokes.

Despite what some have to say about Sasha's recent appearance, she remains unfazed and continues to thrive, living her best life as she sees fit. The Chicago native turns 23 on June 10, 2024.