When it comes to his two daughters, former President Barack Obama is their biggest fan. In a candid new interview, the former commander-in-chief heaped praise on Malia and Sasha Obama, revealing that the young women have surpassed his every expectation.

"They are cooler, smarter, funnier," Obama said, describing his daughters with evident pride. "Those two, Malia and Sasha are all that." 

The proud father's remarks came during an interview with PEOPLE magazine, where he and former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about their lives after the White House. As Obama began to speak about their daughters, Michelle jokingly interrupted, "Don't get him started." 

Despite his reluctance to stop, Obama continued, making it clear just how much he admires the women his children have become. "If I were their age... I can barely keep up with them at the dinner table now," he said. "If I was their contemporary, I would just sit there." 

The Obamas have maintained their primary residence in Washington, D.C., a decision driven largely by their daughters' social lives. "We still live in D.C.," Michelle Obama explained. "Our primary, primary residence is there because that's where the kids' friends are. When the kids come home from being away, they want to be with their friends." 

Malia, now 27, has carved her own path in the entertainment industry. A 2021 graduate of Harvard University, she has established herself as a filmmaker, writer, and director, working professionally under the name Malia Ann. She worked as a writer for the 2023 Amazon Prime series "Swarm" and directed the short film "The Heart," which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024. 

Sasha, 25, graduated from the University of Southern California in 2023 and has largely kept her professional life private, though her mother has indicated she is continuing her education. 

The sisters recently stepped back into the public eye for a rare joint appearance at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The event marked a significant family moment as the former first daughters joined their parents on stage for the celebration of their father's legacy. 

For the occasion, both sisters turned heads with their sophisticated fashion choices. Malia wore a light gray blazer with a matching skirt and pointed-toe heels, styling her hair in braids and waves. Sasha opted for a chic white off-the-shoulder top with an asymmetrical skirt, completing her look with a large brown bag, statement earrings, and a high ponytail. 

The grand opening ceremony brought together a star-studded audience, including former Presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton with their spouses. Musical performances featured icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Bono, and Jennifer Hudson. 

The Obamas described the center's purpose in a statement, saying, "We wanted the center to be a vibrant, living celebration of community, where we can learn together and share the joys of art and music and sport and play." 

Malia was just 10 years old and Sasha only 7 when their father first took office in 2009. The sisters grew up in the White House, navigating childhood under the intense scrutiny of the public eye. In the years since leaving Washington in 2017, both have deliberately stepped back from the spotlight, choosing to forge independent identities outside politics. 

Michelle Obama reflected on raising her daughters with intention, saying in a recent podcast interview, "I never felt my job was to create mini me's or create people who were going to live out some brokenness in me." She emphasized the importance of letting her children "hurt and fail and recover on their own and own their victories." 

Barack Obama has previously described Sasha as "completely confident about her own take on the world" and not intimidated by "anybody's titles, anybody's credentials." Of Malia, he said she is "buoyant" and "enjoys people, enjoys life, and enjoys conversation." 

In her tribute to her daughters during the Presidential Center opening, Michelle Obama acknowledged the unique life they had no voice in choosing, thanking them for bringing "so much joy and spirit and energy" to it and for making their parents "proud every step of the way." 

Despite their famous last name, both sisters have worked to maintain privacy. Barack Obama recently recalled telling Malia that audiences would know her identity despite using Malia Ann professionally. Her response reflected her determination to be recognized on her own merits: "I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association."