In a touching Instagram post shared this Wednesday, Michelle Obama took a moment to honor Hadiya Pendleton, a bright young honor roll student whose tragic death in 2013 deeply impacted the nation.
Pendleton, who had performed at Barack Obama’s second inauguration just days before her untimely passing, will soon be remembered through a special memorial garden at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
In her heartfelt message, Michelle wrote, “To this day, I carry Hadiya’s story with me everywhere I go. She had an extraordinary light that will not be forgotten, and Barack and I look forward to honoring her memory through a dedicated space at the Obama Presidential Center.”
The announcement comes at a time when Michelle and Barack’s marriage has been under intense public scrutiny, with rumors of divorce circulating after Michelle’s absence from key events.
Michelle’s absence from President Donald Trump’s inauguration, coupled with her decision to skip President Jimmy Carter’s funeral due to a “scheduling conflict,” led to widespread speculation about the state of her marriage.
The former First Lady, however, chose to publicly affirm her bond with Barack, referring to him as “my husband” in her message about the memorial garden.
While recent weeks have seen Michelle step back from public life following the passing of her mother, Marian Robinson, she has remained deeply involved in personal and political causes.
Reflecting on her grief during her speech at the Democratic National Convention, Michelle admitted the profound impact of her mother’s loss on her emotional state.
Yet, she continued to headline campaign efforts for former Vice President Kamala Harris during the presidential race.
Through these moments of reflection and resilience, Michelle Obama’s latest post serves as both a tribute to Hadiya Pendleton and a quiet statement of solidarity with her husband amid unfounded rumors.