Michelle and Barack Obama Mourn the Heartbreaking Loss of a “Cherished Member” of Their Family

Lara WalshWed, September 16, 2026 at 2:37 PM UTC

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Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Sasha, Malia, and Marian Robinson attend TNT Christmas in Washington on December 14, 2014Credit: Getty ImagesThe Gist -

Michelle and Barack Obama paid tribute to their dog Sunny, who they revealed died at the age of 13.

The former first couple reminisced about the spunky pup, whom they called “a force of nature,” when she was first brought to the White House.

Michelle and Barack also shared sweet photos of the dog, including one of her at the White House in 2015.

The Obamas are grieving the loss of a “cherished member” of their family. In a joint Instagram post shared by Michelle and Barack Obama, the former first lady and president announced that their family pet Sunny has died at the age of 13 by sharing photos of the spunky Portuguese Water Dog from her time at the White House to the present day.

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha with their dogs Bo and Sunny at the White House on April 5, 2015Credit: Getty Images

“We got Sunny at the start of our second term in the White House, and all of us—including our first dog, Bo—immediately fell in love,” the couple began their heartfelt tribute, referencing their first dog, Bo, who died at the age of 12 in May 2021.

Michelle and Barack reminisced about what Sunny was like as a puppy, recalling, “We also had trouble keeping up with her, for Sunny was a force of nature. Athletic and full of boundless energy, she leapt over the hedges on the South Lawn like they weren’t even there, chasing squirrels, birds, and anything else that moved. And whereas the way to Bo’s heart usually involved a treat, Sunny was more interested in having us run around with her, roll on the floor with her, or have her belly rubbed for as long as we were willing.”

Malia Obama walks with dog Bo, Barack Obama, Sasha Obama and Michelle Obama at the White House on April 14, 2009.Credit: Getty Images

They shared a photo of the fluffy back dog on high alert as she perched on a white bed in the first photo. Sunny also could be seen getting some head scratches from Pope Francis and her parents at the White House in 2015 in a second photo. Michelle and Barack also shared photos of their high-energy fur baby running along a stone corridor, lounging on a bed with a little stuffed animal, sitting at a beach with sand all over her face, and eagerly waiting by a door to be let out.

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Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha at Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on June 18, 2026.Credit: Getty Images

The former first couple was feeling nostalgic as they opened up about their daughters Sasha and Malia’s relationship with their second furry addition.

“She loved the girls, even if they were pestering her when she was napping. She loved our team, and would often follow them around, helping them on the job. She was fiercely protective of Bo, who she rightly sensed wasn’t always as alert and attentive as she was,” they continued. Michelle and Barack also called out Sunny’s “eccentricities,” quipping, “Other than Bo, she preferred people to dogs; she was a loud and sloppy drinker; and despite being a Portuguese Water Dog, she hated getting wet.”

However, Sunny’s quirks only further endeared her to the Obamas. They concluded, “But as far as our family was concerned, she was pretty much perfect, and for thirteen years, she would be by our side —always loyal, always sweet, always ready for adventure, still fiery and gorgeous till the very end of her days. We will miss her terribly, and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”