Barack Obama (b.1961)
44th President of the United States (2008-2016)
He was preceded in the Presidency by George W. Bush and defeated John McCain in the 2008 Presidential election. Choosing Joe Biden as his Vice-President, he served two terms in office for the Democratic Party before being succeeded by Donald Trump. He was born and brought up predominantly in Honolulu, Hawaii, before coming to Los Angeles to attend Occidental College on a full scholarship in 1979. Two years later, he transferred to Columbia University in New York City, majoring in political science with a specialty in international relations and English literature. After graduating in 1983, he briefly worked as a financial analyst in New York before moving to Chicago in 1985 to work as a community organizer on the South Side, focusing on job training, housing issues, and voter registration in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
From 1988 to 1991, he attended Harvard Law School where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review, a prestigious position that brought him national media attention and a book contract. Returning to Chicago, he practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago. His political career began in the Illinois State Senate, where he served from 1997 to 2004, focusing on ethics reform and healthcare legislation. In 2004, he gained national prominence with his keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention, launching him onto the national stage with his message of unity and hope. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, representing Illinois and working on nuclear nonproliferation, government transparency, and immigration reform. While still serving, he launched his presidential campaign.
From 1988 to 1991, he attended Harvard Law School where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review, a prestigious position that brought him national media attention and a book contract. Returning to Chicago, he practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago. His political career began in the Illinois State Senate, where he served from 1997 to 2004, focusing on ethics reform and healthcare legislation. In 2004, he gained national prominence with his keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention, launching him onto the national stage with his message of unity and hope. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, representing Illinois and working on nuclear nonproliferation, government transparency, and immigration reform. While still serving, he launched his presidential campaign.
The 2008 presidential race saw Obama emerge from a competitive Democratic primary against Hillary Clinton, ultimately securing the nomination and defeating Republican John McCain to reach the White House. As America was in the grip of an economic crisis, his campaign themes of "hope and change" had resonated with voters, but the Great Recession that he inherited was an immediate domestic challenge. He passed the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act to stimulate the economy and the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"), which expanded healthcare access to millions of Americans. He also oversaw the end of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military and supported same-sex marriage.
In foreign policy, Obama ended combat operations in Iraq, authorized the operation that killed Osama bin Laden, negotiated the Iran nuclear deal, and signed the Paris Climate Agreement. His administration emphasized diplomacy and multilateral approaches to international challenges. He won re-election in 2012, defeating Mitt Romney, using his second term to focus on climate action, criminal justice reform, and economic recovery.
His approval ratings on leaving office put him just above Republicans George H.W. Bush and slightly below Ronald Reagan. Post-presidency, he has remained active through the Obama Foundation (promoting leadership development), his production company Higher Ground Productions (partnered with Netflix), and political endorsements. While generally maintaining the tradition of former presidents by avoiding direct criticism of his successors, he has occasionally spoken out on significant issues, notably American democracy and voting rights. In 1992, he married Michelle Robinson in Chicago and they have two daughters, Malia and Sasha. They live principally between the Obama House in Washington D.C. and their summer property in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
His approval ratings on leaving office put him just above Republicans George H.W. Bush and slightly below Ronald Reagan. Post-presidency, he has remained active through the Obama Foundation (promoting leadership development), his production company Higher Ground Productions (partnered with Netflix), and political endorsements. While generally maintaining the tradition of former presidents by avoiding direct criticism of his successors, he has occasionally spoken out on significant issues, notably American democracy and voting rights. In 1992, he married Michelle Robinson in Chicago and they have two daughters, Malia and Sasha. They live principally between the Obama House in Washington D.C. and their summer property in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
