Former First Lady Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, has died at the age of 86, according to a family statement shared with NBC News. The statement, released by Michelle and Barack Obama, their family members, and Marian Robinson's grandchildren, expressed their grief and uncertainty about moving forward without her.

Marian Robinson became widely known as the country's first grandmother after her son-in-law, Barack Obama, won the presidential election in 2008. Throughout his eight years in office, she was a constant presence in the White House, although she preferred to maintain a low profile. Marian attended holiday events, accompanied the family on overseas trips, and enjoyed concerts in the East Room. However, her primary focus was always on her granddaughters, Sasha and Malia.

Having spent her entire life in Chicago, Marian Robinson made the decision to move to Washington, D.C. in 2009 to reside in the White House and help care for her young granddaughters, who were seven and ten years old at the time. She expressed her concerns for their safety and well-being in a CBS interview, stating that she felt the move was necessary for their sake.

In their statement, the family revealed that Marian agreed to leave Chicago with a gentle nudge, acknowledging the importance of her presence in their lives. Her role as a grandmother meant the world to her, and she embraced it wholeheartedly. The family fondly recalled her enforcement of household rules while also taking the side of her "grandbabies" when it came to their parents' strictness.

Born and raised in Chicago in 1937, Marian Robinson was no stranger to hard work and dedication. She raised her son, Craig Robinson, and daughter, Michelle Obama, in the city's South Side. Marian's late husband, Fraser Robinson, lost his battle with multiple sclerosis in 1991.

President Barack Obama once described Marian Robinson as the least pretentious person he knew. She found it challenging to adjust to being waited on by the White House staff and even convinced them to allow her to do her own laundry. Marian preferred simple moments and spent much of her time in a room with big windows that overlooked the Washington Monument. She humbly requested to meet the Pope as the only prominent guest during her time in the White House.

The former president commended Marian Robinson for keeping their daughters grounded amidst the unique circumstances of growing up in the White House. He praised her down-to-earth nature during an interview on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

Michelle Obama shared a profound bond with her mother and acknowledged her influence in shaping her own identity. Marian even narrated a biographical video introducing her daughter at the Democratic National Convention in 2008. After leaving the White House, Robinson admired her daughter, saying, "My saying is when I grow up, I would like to be like Michelle Obama."

Just a few weeks ago, Michelle Obama honored her mother on Mother's Day by announcing that an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago would be named after her. In a heartfelt video announcement, Michelle expressed her gratitude for Marian's belief in her own worth and the confidence she instilled.

The family's statement rightfully emphasized that there was and will only ever be one Marian Robinson. In their sadness, they find solace in the extraordinary gift of her life and aspire to live up to her example. Marian's legacy as a devoted mother, grandmother, and pillar of strength will undoubtedly endure, leaving an indelible mark on the Obama family and the nation as a whole.