Barack Obama
| 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