Malia and Sasha Obama brought polished style and easy confidence to the grand opening of their father Barack Obama’s library, drawing plenty of attention as they joined the celebration in Chicago.
The sisters appeared alongside their parents on Thursday morning for the opening ceremony at the sprawling new site in Jackson Park. When they stepped onto the stage, both greeted the crowd with bright smiles and warm waves, adding a personal touch to the high-profile event.
Malia, 27, chose a sharp, fashion-forward look for the occasion, wearing a plunging gray St Agni suit jacket priced at $780. She paired it with a leather mini skirt and gray pointed-toe heels, creating an outfit that felt both modern and refined.
Sasha, 25, went in a different direction with a crisp all-white ensemble made up of an asymmetric short-sleeve top and matching skirt. She finished the look with a statement belt that defined her waist and a pair of open-toe Miu Miu heels valued at $1,320.
Together, the sisters struck a poised and stylish note at the ceremony, complementing the significance of the day with looks that were understated, elegant, and unmistakably confident.
She accessorized with a statement belt that cinched her in at the waist and a pair of $1,320 Miu Miu open-toe heels.
It’s a big day for the Democratic Party – as four previous Presidents and their liberal celebrity friends descended on the event.
Obama’s library is in the city’s south side – where Michelle Obama grew up, and where the couple settled before he entered the White House in 2009.
Malia and Sasha Obama exuded confidence as they took to the stage in Chicago
The sisters joined their parents for the opening ceremony on Thursday morning
They stole the show by offering very enthusiastic displays on stage
The campus, which officially opens its doors to the public on Friday, was flooded with prominent political figures as a boatload of festivities kicked off to celebrate the big day.
The Obamas, Bidens, Bushes and Clintons all cozied up together for a group picture ahead of the dedication ceremony.
A-listers also swarmed the event, including John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen, former late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, Tyler Perry, Steven Spielberg, and Jill Vedder, among others.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, US Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and more political big names were also in attendance.
Many guests donned dark sunglasses as they shook hands and hugged each other ahead of the start of the ceremony, which started with Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem.
President Donald Trump was not invited to the event, as the focus was on welcoming Obama supporters, Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said, according to NBC News.
Trump is a staunch critic of the Obamas, who has recently slammed him for how he dealt with Iran when he was in office.
He is still welcome to visit the center in the future, she added.
Malia and Sasha both looked to be in great spirits at the star-studded gathering
Both exuded confidence as they took to the stage
The pair looked effortlessly chic at the event to celebrate the massive new building in Chicago’s Jackson Park
Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, from left, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pose for a photo
Obama’s library is in the city’s south side – where Michelle Obama grew up
Jarrett, a longtime adviser to the Obamas, made a speech that reflected on her relationship with the couple and their family.
‘They were engaged to be married. Malia and Sasha were a glimmer in their eyes, and they were just beginning their careers.
‘They didn’t know what path their lives would take, but they were both committed to a life of service,’ she told the crowd.
In addition to Hudson, several other singers are expected to take the stage at the star-studded ceremony, including her boyfriend Common, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Tems, Stevie Wonder, and others.
The Obama Center project plans were made public in May 2017, and originally projected to be completed by 2021.
But the COVID-19 pandemic sparked delays, along with the expansion of the center’s original plans.
The campus itself sits on 19 acres of land, and includes a public park, museum, library, ample green space and an NBA regulation-size basketball court.
Approximately $850 million went into building the center, making it the most expensive presidential library in US history.
