Michelle Obama: Having 3 generations of family in White House is ‘beautiful experience’

First lady lauds own ‘mommy’ ahead of Mother’s Day

WASHINGTON — First lady Michelle Obama said Friday that having three generations of family living in the White House and raising her two daughters there is truly special.

Her voice breaking, Mrs. Obama also paid tribute to her mother, Marian Robinson, at a Mother’s Day tea at the White House.

“There’s no way that I could ever fully measure all that my own mommy has done for me,” the first lady told more than 100 guests seated at round tables in the State Dining Room as she gestured toward her mother, seated at the head table.

“This woman who tries to take absolutely no credit for who I am, for some reason. She is my rock,” Mrs. Obama said.

The first lady said her mother pushes her to be the best woman, mother and professional she can be, and has always been there for her.

“And as our family has grown, she’s managed to expand her love for all of us. And raising our girls in the White House with my mom … is a beautiful experience,” Mrs. Obama said, her voice breaking as she spoke about her mother, who also lives at the White House. “The opportunity to have three generations living in the White House, it’s beautiful. And I’m pretty sure the president’s happy about it, too.”

Mrs. Obama’s Mother’s Day event included former first lady Rosalynn Carter and granddaughter, Sarah Carter; President Richard Nixon’s daughter Tricia Nixon Cox; and President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s granddaughters Susan and Anne Eisenhower, along with young women who participate in Mrs. Obama’s mentoring program, spouses and mothers of service members, and Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill.

Guests were served cucumber watercress sandwiches, smoked salmon blinis, chilled Gulf shrimp, blueberry scones and tea.