Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he made history as the first African American to hold the office of the presidency.
Obama’s background is unique: he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya, a story he chronicled in his memoir, Dreams from My Father. He spent part of his childhood in Indonesia before returning to Hawaii to be raised by his maternal grandparents.
Path to the White House
Obama's early career focused on public service and law.
He graduated from Columbia University and then Harvard Law School, where he became the first Black president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review.
Before his political ascent, he worked as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago and taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School.
His political career began in the Illinois State Senate (1997–2004) before he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, representing Illinois. His keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention garnered national attention and cemented his reputation as a rising star.
He formally announced his candidacy for president in 2007 and was elected on November 4, 2008
Key Presidency Highlights
During his two terms, President Obama's administration tackled major domestic and international crises:
Economic Recovery: His administration guided the country through the Great Recession, implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009—a major economic stimulus package.
Healthcare Reform: He signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark piece of legislation aimed at expanding health insurance coverage.
Foreign Policy: Obama ended the war in Iraq, authorized the military operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden, and signed the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Nobel Peace Prize: He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."
- Obama is married to former First Lady Michelle Obama, and they have two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Since leaving office, he has remained active in public life as a speaker, author, and co-founder of the Obama Foundation.
