Malia Obama, 27, made a rare public appearance at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on June 18, 2026, joining her sister Sasha Obama and their parents, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, at the star-studded event on the city’s South Side.
The presidential daughters, nearly a decade removed from the White House, took the stage at the sprawling Jackson Park complex, which includes a museum, concert venues, public park space, and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library. Malia and Sasha have largely avoided the public eye since their family left the White House in January 2017, popping up on their parents’ social media only for birthdays and holidays.
Malia has pursued a career in the film industry, working under the name Malia Ann to maintain privacy. Her directorial debut, the 18-minute short film “The Heart,” premiered at major film festivals including the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, and the 2023 Telluride Film Festival. The film, which stars musician Tunde Adebimpe, explores themes of loss and forgiveness.
In September 2024, Malia walked the red carpet at the Deauville American Film Festival in France, where “The Heart” earned the Young Spirit Award. She has also collaborated on projects with Donald Glover, including the Amazon Prime show “Swarm.” Despite her work in entertainment, Malia has maintained a low public profile compared to other members of her generation in the spotlight.
The June 2026 opening marked one of the few occasions both daughters have appeared together at a major public event. Sasha made a separate appearance at the NBA All-Star Game in February 2026 in Inglewood, California, but joint appearances by the sisters remain uncommon. The sisters were 10 and 7 years old, respectively, when their father won the presidency in 2008, and they left the White House as young adults in 2017.
Malia is set to turn 28 on July 4, 2026. In a 2024 interview, she described her film as exploring how “tenderness and closeness can exist” in stories about “lost objects and lonely people and forgiveness and regret.”
Sources
- People.com — Malia and Sasha Obama’s rare public appearance at the Obama Presidential Center grand opening on June 18, 2026, details on Malia’s film career and background
- NBC 5 Chicago — Confirmation of the grand opening ceremony and location at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave., details on Malia’s film festival appearances
- USA Today — Confirmation of rare joint appearance by both sisters at the center opening
- Obama Foundation — Official details on the Obama Presidential Center’s location and grand opening dates (June 19-21, 2026)
- AP News — Photo gallery and confirmation of Malia Obama’s attendance at the dedication ceremony
