The Passing of Dorothy Height

Barack Obama shed tears over the loss of Dorothy Height, affectionately known as the “Godmother of American civil rights.” She was a formidable figure who once marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Dorothy left a lasting legacy when she passed away in 2010 at 98 years old, having campaigned tirelessly into her nineties.

The Heartbreak of Sandy Hook

The Sandy Hook school massacre in 2012 sent shockwaves across the world. Twenty children, aged six and seven, alongside six brave educators, lost their lives in a horrific shooting. Barack Obama, deeply moved by the tragedy, expressed his sorrow, saying, “I can only hope it helps for you to know that you’re not alone in your grief.” His tears reflected the shared grief of a nation as he stated, “We have wept with you, we’ve pulled our children tight.”

Farewell at the Inauguration Ceremony

In an emotional farewell speech in Chicago, as Barack Obama reflected on his presidency during his Inauguration Ceremony, he was moved to tears. The heartfelt sentiment came especially when mentioning his beloved wife, Michelle, and daughters, Sasha and Malia. “Of all that I’ve done in my life, I’m most proud to be your dad,” he shared, showcasing the profound love for his family.

The Loss of a Beloved Grandmother

Amidst the tension of his presidential campaign, Barack Obama mourned the loss of his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, on November 3, 2008. She succumbed to cancer just a day before his election victory. Speaking at the University of North Carolina, he honored her memory by reminiscing, “She has gone home,” an act that was both personal and moving as he described her passing as “hard to talk about.”

Honoring Daniel Inouye

Another poignant moment came during the funeral for Daniel Inouye, a revered Hawaiian senator who served for 49 years. Inouye’s esteemed career and his role as an Asian-American politician from Hawaii were significant inspirations for Obama. He revered Inouye, saying, “The way he commanded the respect of an entire nation, I think it hinted to me what might be possible in my own life.”

Fighting for Gun Control

The tragic memory of the Sandy Hook massacre spurred Obama to push for stricter gun control laws in January 2016. During an impassioned plea, he became emotional, emphasizing, “Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad.” Reflecting on his presidency, he later admitted that not passing “common sense gun laws” in the U.S. was one of his greatest frustrations.

The Aretha Franklin Performance

In a remarkable evening, Barack and Michelle Obama were part of a special tribute to Carole King in Washington in 2015. The highlight was when Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” delivered a mesmerizing performance of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” The emotional rendition not only moved the audience but also Barack, and the ensuing video quickly became a viral sensation, viewed millions of times.