unilad homepage
unilad homepage
    • News
      • UK News
      • US News
      • World News
      • Crime
      • Health
      • Money
      • Sport
      • Travel
    • Music
    • Technology
    • Film and TV
      • News
      • DC Comics
      • Disney
      • Marvel
      • Netflix
    • Celebrity
    • Politics
    • Advertise
    • Terms
    • Privacy & Cookies
    • LADbible Group
    • LADbible
    • SPORTbible
    • GAMINGbible
    • Tyla
    • UNILAD Tech
    • FOODbible
    • License Our Content
    • About Us & Contact
    • Jobs
    • Latest
    • Archive
    • Topics A-Z
    • Authors
    Facebook
    Instagram
    X
    Threads
    TikTok
    YouTube
    Submit Your Content
    Barack Obama had to undergo bizarre test with wife Michelle’s family when they first began dating

    Home> Celebrity

    Updated 14:12 16 Jul 2025 GMT+1Published 15:17 30 Apr 2025 GMT+1

    Barack Obama had to undergo bizarre test with wife Michelle’s family when they first began dating

    Michelle Obama's brother worried the test would make Barack 'look bad and be talked about'

    Gerrard Kaonga

    Gerrard Kaonga

    google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
    Featured Image Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

    Topics: Barack Obama, Celebrity, Sex and Relationships, US News, Michelle Obama, Podcast

    Gerrard Kaonga
    Gerrard Kaonga

    Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.

    Advert

    Advert

    Advert

    While Barack Obama might be one of the most recognizable individuals in the world, there was once a time where he was a law student attempting to woo his future wife.

    For some people, Barack and Michelle Obama are the epitome of relationship goals, being both successful in their fields and regularly still looking smitten with one another.

    It hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows however and Michelle has previously spoken of a pet peeve she had to learn to deal with when it came to the pair dating.

    Speaking on her podcast earlier this year, she admitted that the future president had a knack for being late and getting ready when they are meant to be leaving.

    Advert

    However, before they even got to this point in the relationship, Michelle wanted her future husband to meet her family, and for them to weigh in on him.

    So, Barack had to jump through a few hoops - as well as shoot some - before the relationship could progress.

    The pair have been together now over 32 years (Photo by PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
    The pair have been together now over 32 years (Photo by PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)

    According to Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson, he had to test out Barack to see what kind of person he is with a game of basketball.

    Michelle has previously said that her father and brother have insisted they could always tell a person’s character based on the way he played pickup basketball so when things were getting serious with Barack, she wanted Robinson to do just that.

    Speaking on Kelly Ripa's podcast, Let's Talk Off Camera, recently and recalling when she asked him, he said: “She said, 'Please, you gotta do this for me. I really like this guy. I wanna know what you think.'"

    Mind you, Robinson wasn’t some casual hooper either and has quite the resume... two-time Ivy League Player of the Year on Princeton University's basketball team, drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers (although he would not play in the NBA and would play internationally for two years).

    Robinson continued: “The guys I played with are like real dudes, real basketball players.

    "You take a guy who can't play that well around, he's undoubtedly going to look bad and be talked about.”

    Michelle's brother praised her future-husband for how he conducted himself during a game of basketball (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
    Michelle's brother praised her future-husband for how he conducted himself during a game of basketball (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

    Speaking of Barack’s attitude during the game, he said: “He was absolutely appropriate.

    “In pickup basketball, it's not officiated so you have to call your own call, so you can tell if a guy's got some integrity, and he did that the right way.

    “He took shots that he should take, and he passed the ball when he should. So I could tell he was unselfish.

    "The best part was that he didn't just pass me the ball all the time because I was his girlfriend's brother.

    "I report back to Mich and said as far as I can see, he seems like a really decent dude."

    Now while this maybe isn’t the best method to check if a person is suitable partner for your sibling.... Barack and Michelle have been married for over 32 years so maybe there is something in it.

    Choose your content:

    an hour ago
    2 hours ago
    3 hours ago
    • Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images
      an hour ago

      Nicole Kidman makes cheeky comment to A$AP Rocky about kissing his 'wife' Rihanna

      The A-List pair hilariously revealed what they'd do if they could swap lives with each other for the day

      Celebrity
    • Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI
      2 hours ago

      Kevin Hart sparks backlash after making comment about Timothee Chalamet's body

      Timothee Chalamet was the target of a brutal improvised roast by Kevin Hart

      Celebrity
    • Taylor Hill/Getty Images
      2 hours ago

      Billie Eilish faces backlash after 'privileged' comment on meat eaters and animal rights

      The singer, who has been vegan for over a decade, has been slammed on social media for her recent comments on the subject

      Celebrity
    • John Shearer/WireImage
      3 hours ago

      Staggering amount it costs for celebrities to attend Met Gala

      The invite only event doesn't come cheap, although Kim Kardashian may not be putting her hands in her pocket anytime soon...

      Celebrity
    • Barack Obama addresses 'marriage woes' with wife Michelle in surprising comment
    • Barack and Michelle Obama reveal ‘hard times’ as they directly address divorce rumors
    • Michelle Obama sends telling message to Barack after disputing divorce rumors
    • Michelle Obama opens up on moment she grew 'resentful' in her marriage to Barack as she addresses couples counseling