In a candid conversation on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about one of her most frightening motherhood experiences: the moment her youngest daughter, Sasha Obama, was involved in a serious car accident.
Reflecting on how her relationship with her daughters, Malia and Sasha, has evolved as they’ve grown into adulthood, Michelle explained how the challenges of parenting have changed over time. “Being a mother has been a masterclass in letting go. Try as we might, there’s only so much we can control,” Michelle shared with British Vogue in July 2019. But even with the guidance of the Secret Service and the watchful eye of protective parents, some moments are out of their control—like the time Sasha found herself in a terrifying car crash.
Michelle recounted the incident, explaining that once her daughters received their driver’s licenses, they were given cars of their own. However, their protection remained a priority for the Secret Service, who would follow the girls to their destinations. “Once they got their license, we got a car for them. And then the agents… they have to follow this teenager now to school, to parties,” Michelle recalled. Despite the security measures, sometimes danger is unavoidable.
Michelle described how one day she received the heart-stopping news that Sasha had been in an accident. “But one time Sasha got T-boned, literally her car totaled. Some lady T-boned her,” Michelle said. “And you get this call that Sasha was in an accident, the car was totaled.” Thankfully, Sasha was unharmed, but the crash left Michelle shaken.
In addition to sharing this intense memory, Michelle also gave insight into how both of her daughters became adept at driving, with some help from their Secret Service drivers. She recounted how Malia‘s first driving lesson involved a rather intense exercise. “Her instructor put her in the car and said, ‘Floor it … Press the gas as hard as you can, and then I want you to stop,’” Michelle explained on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in December 2018. Since then, both Sasha and Malia have been seen behind the wheel with ease, demonstrating confidence and skill in their driving abilities.
While the crash was a terrifying moment for Michelle, it’s clear that her daughters have grown into independent, capable young women. The story of Sasha’s accident is a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the bittersweet nature of letting go as children begin to navigate the world on their own.