| Barack Obama | |
|---|---|
| Official portrait of Barack Obama (2012) | |
| Order | 44th President of the United States |
| In office | January 20, 2009 – January 20, 2017 |
| Vice President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | George W. Bush |
| Succeeded by | Donald Trump |
| Born | August 4, 1961 (64 years old) Honolulu, Hawaii, United States |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Michelle Obama (m. 1992) |
| Children | Malia, Sasha |
| Profession | Lawyer, professor, author, politician |
| Alma mater | Columbia University Harvard Law School |
| Signature | 
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Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician, attorney, and author who served as the **44th President of the United States** from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African American to hold the office and previously served as a U.S. Senator from Illinois.
Early Life and Education
- Born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Kenyan father and American mother
- Raised in Hawaii and briefly in Indonesia
- Earned a degree in political science from Columbia University
- Graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School and was the first Black president of the **Harvard Law Review**
Career Before Presidency
- Worked as a community organizer in Chicago
- Practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago
- Elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996
- Rose to national prominence with his keynote speech at the **2004 Democratic National Convention**
- Elected to the U.S. Senate later that year
Presidential Elections
- Announced his candidacy for president in 2007
- Defeated Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries
- Won the 2008 general election against John McCain
- Re-elected in 2012, defeating Republican nominee Mitt Romney
Presidency (2009–2017)
- Managed the recovery from the Great Recession
- Passed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
- Authorized the mission that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011
- Ended combat operations in Iraq and expanded drone warfare
- Championed LGBTQ+ rights, including support for same-sex marriage
- Faced strong opposition from a divided Congress, especially after 2010
Post-Presidency
- Founded the Obama Foundation
- Remained active in political and social causes, including voting rights and leadership development
- Authored the memoir "A Promised Land"
- Frequently collaborates with Michelle Obama on civic engagement and youth initiatives
Personal Life
- Married to Michelle Obama; they have two daughters, Malia and Sasha
- Known for his charisma, oratory skills, and message of hope and unity
Legacy
- Widely admired globally for his diplomacy, intelligence, and progressive vision
- Critics cite issues such as drone warfare and rising inequality during his terms
- Regarded as one of the most transformative and inspirational figures in modern American politics