Who is Malia Ann Obama? Barack Obama’s daughter Bio: Net Worth, Boyfriend, Age, Parents, Siblings, Height

Biography

Malia Ann Obama is a gifted American film director, best known as the eldest daughter of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.

Born on July 4, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois, she spent part of her childhood in the White House while her father served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017.

Malia attended Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., and, after graduating in 2016, took a gap year before enrolling at Harvard University in 2017.

Passionate about film and television, she interned on the set of Girls and later contributed as a writer for Donald Glover’s Swarm under the pseudonym Malia Ann.

Early Life & Education

Malia Ann Obama was born on July 4, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is of African-American descent through her father, Barack Obama, who has Kenyan heritage, and European-American ancestry through her mother, Michelle Obama, whose lineage includes African-American, European, and Native American roots.

Raised in a Christian household, Malia‘s parents have both spoken about their faith—Barack Obama has identified as a Christian, and Michelle Obama has shared her spiritual beliefs. Her grandparents are Marian Robinson, Stanley Ann Dunham, Barack Obama Sr., and Fraser C. Robinson III.

Her father, Barack Obama, served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017 and was previously a U.S. Senator from Illinois. Her mother, Michelle Obama, is a lawyer, author, and former First Lady known for advocating for education, health, and women’s empowerment. Malia has one younger sister, Sasha Obama (born Natasha Obama), who was born on June 10, 2001.

For her early education, Malia attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. During her father’s presidency from 2009 to 2016, she studied at Sidwell Friends School, a prestigious Quaker institution in Washington, D.C., recognized for its progressive approach to education.

After graduating high school in 2016, she took a gap year before enrolling at Harvard University in 2017, following in her father’s footsteps, as he also attended Harvard Law School.

Career

Malia Ann Obama has established herself in the entertainment industry, focusing on writing and directing. Her passion for film and television emerged in her teenage years when she worked as a production assistant on the CBS sci-fi drama Extant in 2014, earning praise from lead actress Halle Berry for her dedication.

In 2015, she further honed her skills by interning in the writers’ room of HBO’s Girls, working under Lena Dunham.

After earning a history degree from Harvard University in 2021, Malia deepened her commitment to filmmaking. In 2023, she joined Donald Glover’s production company, Gilga, contributing to the writing team for the Amazon Prime Video series Swarm. Glover has publicly commended her talent, professionalism, and creative contributions, highlighting her abilities beyond her well-known background.

In 2024, Malia made headlines with the debut of her short film, The Heart, at the Sundance Film Festival. Choosing to credit herself as “Malia Ann,” she sought to distinguish her work from her family’s political legacy. The 18-minute film, described as a surreal fable about a man grieving his mother’s death, was well-received at the festival.

Beyond directing, Malia has explored other creative avenues, including music video direction, demonstrating her versatility across different media. Her deliberate decision to use “Malia Ann” professionally reflects her commitment to forging an independent identity in the film industry, separate from her family’s public stature.

Social Media

• IMDb: Malia Obama
• Instagram: Malia Obama (@maliaobamaofficially)

Personal Life

Malia Ann Obama was born on July 4, 1998, making her 26 years old. As of the latest information, she is unmarried and has no children. Standing at approximately 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), Malia has primarily maintained a private personal life, though some of her relationships have been publicized.

During her time at Harvard University, she was in a long-term relationship with her classmate Rory Farquharson. The two were frequently seen together, and their relationship reportedly lasted several years before ending in 2021. In 2022, Malia was romantically linked to Ethiopian music producer Dawit Eklund, who is nine years older than her. They were photographed together multiple times in Los Angeles, suggesting a brief relationship.

In 2024, she was spotted having lunch in Los Angeles with Greek journalist and photographer Achilleas Ambatzidis, whose resemblance to actor Penn Badgley drew attention. However, the extent of their relationship remains unclear, as there has been no further public documentation of their connection.

Net Worth

Malia Ann Obama‘s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, primarily earned through her work in the entertainment industry.

Her income stems from internships, early career roles as a screenwriter and director, and contributions to projects such as the Amazon Prime series Swarm and her directorial debut, The Heart.

While her wealth is modest compared to her family’s, her growing presence in Hollywood suggests that her net worth will likely increase over time. Though her financial standing is influenced by her family’s wealth, Malia is carving out her own path in the industry, building an independent career.