Obama's Grandmother Passes Away

Madelyn Dunham, Barack Obama's grandmother, has passed away after a bout with cancer.

Obama suspended his campaign on October 23 to fly to Honolulu, Hawaii and visit her. Madelyn was 86.

Barack Obama and his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, issued the following statement ...

"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.

Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer."

Tags: barack obama, BarackObama

Relevant Posts

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 15) Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. My sympathies to the Obama family. It must be hard to be heartbroken and excited about tomorrow's win...

With that being said, all of the Obama haters who can write such vile when someon'e loved one passes, I guess that family is now fair game...everyone go on you tube and enter "Bristol Palin" and learn the real truth - that she IS Trig's mother. Palin is a fraud, she is Trig's GRANDMOTHER!! If family is fair game, then let's go... The mother/daughter team who were BOTH knocked up before they got married, what hypocrites and horrible examples of Christian values. Amyone who would vote for her is a fool. THAT'S exactly why she won't release those medical records that she told Brian Williams and two other reporters that she would - what is she hiding?? She had no baby this year, that's what...if it's not Bristol's baby, then maybe it's Williow's. Hillbillies start young, you betcha!!
I've got lots more Palin and McCain family stories, now that it's apparently ok to knock the families, especially when they are grieving. Obama 08

Posted at 8:25PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by Cheney is Satan \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

47. 49. Well, it sounds like she had a full and eventful life. I wish her peace. As for Obama... first he said she had dementia, then a broken hip, then pnemonia, and now she has died fron cancer. Goog grief man, get your f-ing story srtaight. BTW I think she died a week ago and just announced it now to cover up from Biden's coal gaffe, AGAIN.

Posted at 7:09PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by smb

smb - Perhaps if your parents had lived to be elderly rather than drinking themselves to death at 40, you'd know that cancer patients get brittle bones, old people get cancer, dementia and pneumonia. My dad, who has prostate cancer, has had a broken pelvis, pneumonia, kidney failure, heart surgery, etc. and will die, at some point, of one of the many, many complications of being old with cancer, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. On top of it, each new round of medical treatments causes a new round of complications, and seems to speed his dementia. Had you ever cared for elderly parents, you'd have a clue.

Posted at 8:33PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by del

48. for all of you @ssholes who say who cares i'd love to see you lose a member of your family! this womans death has nothing to do with the election. you're a bunch of right winged screwballs. i see why you're losing the election. youre a bunch of heartless IDIOTS! after tomorrow you'll go someplace and hide under a rock. America Loves You Obama!!!

Posted at 7:30PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by stick a fork in um..john mccain is done!

49. I wonder if she was an Atheist like Obama's mother? If so, she won't be watching him from Heaven! God help us and our Country if Obama is elected

Posted at 7:32PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by Dion

50. Gina, I think many people researched the issues. But I also think many, many people only voted for him because he was a charming black man. I'm also not saying that just african americans are voting for him. I'm sure there are white people voting for him because he is black as well, and they want to see it happen too. George W got all his votes because he was charming, and look at what happened there. I just think that Obama would of never been elected to represent his party if he was a white male. Bidden is a better presidential candidate then he is. Same with Palin running with McCain. She would of never been able to run for vice-president if she was male. I think to be a legit candidate, just like in another 8-12 years I think Palin could of become a legit candidate as maybe in 8 years Obama would of had the credentials as well. All I am saying is that the american voters need to start voting for who is the best leader, and not who gives the best speeches, charms the crowd or is going to break barriers.

Posted at 7:32PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by TJ

51. to #60 blablabla
HUH? What don't you understand? Perhaps you need to go to school, or at least watch or listen to real news. I was addressing people making hateful comments about Obama's grandmother, and his loss. Rush Limbaugh (and Sean Hannity) ranted about Obama going to Hawaii to be at her side, insanely suggested that he went to seal his birth records.

Posted at 7:31PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by Karen

52. I'm sure she endured a lot of criticism in her life, but she stood strong, and now we have Barack, her impact will be felt for a long time,

Posted at 7:37PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by Ann

53. Come on Toya... a lot of white people are going to be voting for Obama also...

Posted at 7:37PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by drumchick

54. This is like waiting on the O.J. murder verdict

Posted at 7:39PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by aaarrrgggg

55. TMZ sure does attract the low-level comments...

Posted at 6:31PM on Nov 11th 2008 by Dave

56. obama-08
sorry for your loss Obama

Posted at 7:43PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by kari

57. This site is for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY you dumb F*cks that take these comments seriously !!!! It's TMZ for Gods sake ... not MSNBC or FOX NEWS !!! It's for f*cken fun purpose only ... hence all the stupid, silly, hard-core, mean, funny remarks !!!!! So don't go telling posters not to be so mean, etc.. IT'S TMZ IDIOTS !!!!!

Posted at 7:43PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by dumb f*cks

58. This election will be like the OJ Murder Trial................Black people will be too happy, and white people will be too mad if Obama wins!

Posted at 7:44PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by Dion

59. Condolences to the Obama family. Regardless of political affiliations, the death of a family member is a very sad thing.

Posted at 7:48PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by ManiacalZebra

60. And I really do hate it if Obama's grandmother is a God-fearing Christian. However, if she is an atheist like his mother, then she has sowed her own seeds!

Posted at 7:47PM on Nov 3rd 2008 by Dion

Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments