America's First Granny: Marian Shields Robinson

A look into the life of the Grandother-in-Chief Marian Robinson – things you probably didn't know.

The Pillar - Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Shields Robinson, has been called the cornerstone of the Obama family. She was the pillar of Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and yet she did not raise money, plot strategy, lead conference calls, or carry a BlackBerry, which, in her day, was an unassuming fruit that grew on bushes.

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The Pillar - Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Shields Robinson, has been called the cornerstone of the Obama family. She was the pillar of Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and yet she did not raise money, plot strategy, lead conference calls, or carry a BlackBerry, which, in her day, was an unassuming fruit that grew on bushes.

A Grandmother's Love - Robinson, who is the only surviving grandparent of Malia, 10, and Sasha Obama, 7, retired from her job as a bank executive secretary, during Obama's campaign, to make sure her granddaughters got the care that only a grandmother could give.

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A Grandmother's Love - Robinson, who is the only surviving grandparent of Malia, 10, and Sasha Obama, 7, retired from her job as a bank executive secretary, during Obama's campaign, to make sure her granddaughters got the care that only a grandmother could give.

Independent Woman - She lives off a pension from her late husband's job as a "stationary fireman" who tended to boilers at Chicago's water-filtration plant. Fraser Robinson died in his mid-50s in 1991, the year before Barack and Michelle Obama were married.

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Independent Woman - She lives off a pension from her late husband's job as a "stationary fireman" who tended to boilers at Chicago's water-filtration plant. Fraser Robinson died in his mid-50s in 1991, the year before Barack and Michelle Obama were married.

Her Move to D.C. - In January 2009, the 71-year-old "First Granny" moved into the White House to assume her role as "grandma-in-chief." However, the move is reportedly temporary. Robinson told PEOPLE , "I love those people, but I love my own house. The White House reminds me of a museum and it's like, how do you sleep in a museum?"

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Her Move to D.C. - In January 2009, the 71-year-old "First Granny" moved into the White House to assume her role as "grandma-in-chief." However, the move is reportedly temporary. Robinson told PEOPLE , "I love those people, but I love my own house. The White House reminds me of a museum and it's like, how do you sleep in a museum?"

Easing the Transition - President Obama said the support that his mother-in-law provides has helped the family survive his transition to national politics.

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Easing the Transition - President Obama said the support that his mother-in-law provides has helped the family survive his transition to national politics.

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No Comment - Unlike some mothers-in-law, Robinson says she keeps her opinions to herself. "You try to get your kids not to think in the same way you did when you were coming along because you pass down – I call them 'your issues' – you pass down your issues and a lot of times, they don't apply to their time and their life. They will have their own issues; they don't need mine in their head."

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No Comment - Unlike some mothers-in-law, Robinson says she keeps her opinions to herself. "You try to get your kids not to think in the same way you did when you were coming along because you pass down – I call them 'your issues' – you pass down your issues and a lot of times, they don't apply to their time and their life. They will have their own issues; they don't need mine in their head."

Doing It Her Way - Not only does Robinson keep her granddaughters grounded, she keeps them fed, bathed, and in bed by 8:30 p.m. "I follow the rules at Michelle's house. At my house, they're my rules,” she laughed. “I know Michelle is strict ... When I'm at their house, the girls are doing all the stuff their mother has told them to do, there's not much left for me to do! But when they're at my house, they don't have to scrape the dishes – and they get to watch TV."

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Doing It Her Way - Not only does Robinson keep her granddaughters grounded, she keeps them fed, bathed, and in bed by 8:30 p.m. "I follow the rules at Michelle's house. At my house, they're my rules,” she laughed. “I know Michelle is strict ... When I'm at their house, the girls are doing all the stuff their mother has told them to do, there's not much left for me to do! But when they're at my house, they don't have to scrape the dishes – and they get to watch TV."

Learning From Mom - Michelle Obama said she learned these strict routines from her mother. But Robinson, now that she's a grandmother, finds them confining."I've heard [Michelle] say, 'Mom, what are you rolling your eyes at? You made us do the same thing,"' Robinson said. "I don't remember being that bad. It seems like she's just going overboard."

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Learning From Mom - Michelle Obama said she learned these strict routines from her mother. But Robinson, now that she's a grandmother, finds them confining."I've heard [Michelle] say, 'Mom, what are you rolling your eyes at? You made us do the same thing,"' Robinson said. "I don't remember being that bad. It seems like she's just going overboard."

Grandmother Indulgences - Robinson says she tries to obey her daughter's rules, but when she's with them, her grandmother indulgences kick in. "I have candy, they stay up late - come to my house, they watch TV as long as they want to, we'll play games until the wee hours," Robinson said. "I do everything that grandmothers do that they're not supposed to."

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Grandmother Indulgences - Robinson says she tries to obey her daughter's rules, but when she's with them, her grandmother indulgences kick in. "I have candy, they stay up late - come to my house, they watch TV as long as they want to, we'll play games until the wee hours," Robinson said. "I do everything that grandmothers do that they're not supposed to."

The Boss - She said the whole time she was raising her son, Craig, and daughter, Michelle, she told them, "'Look, you see, I am raising my kids, so don't you all have any kids that you expect me to help you raise,' " Robinson said laughing. "And look at what I'm doing!" In fact, she cannot imagine anyone else doing it. "If somebody's going to be with these kids other than their parents," she said, "it better be me."

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The Boss - She said the whole time she was raising her son, Craig, and daughter, Michelle, she told them, "'Look, you see, I am raising my kids, so don't you all have any kids that you expect me to help you raise,' " Robinson said laughing. "And look at what I'm doing!" In fact, she cannot imagine anyone else doing it. "If somebody's going to be with these kids other than their parents," she said, "it better be me."

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Early Years - The Robinson family lived in a four-room apartment on the second floor of a brick bungalow. A relative built partitions to divide their 16-by-18 living room three ways, so Craig Robinson and his sister, Michelle Obama, could have bedrooms.

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Early Years - The Robinson family lived in a four-room apartment on the second floor of a brick bungalow. A relative built partitions to divide their 16-by-18 living room three ways, so Craig Robinson and his sister, Michelle Obama, could have bedrooms.

College Was a Must - Neither Fraser nor Marian attended college, a decision Marian Robinson said they regretted and used as a lesson for their children. Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson both attended Princeton. Craig Robinson is the current coach of the Oregon State men's basketball team.

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College Was a Must - Neither Fraser nor Marian attended college, a decision Marian Robinson said they regretted and used as a lesson for their children. Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson both attended Princeton. Craig Robinson is the current coach of the Oregon State men's basketball team.

Having Her Daughter's Back - Marian Robinson said she has taken on such an active role with her granddaughters, partly because her daughter did more campaigning than anyone expected.

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Having Her Daughter's Back - Marian Robinson said she has taken on such an active role with her granddaughters, partly because her daughter did more campaigning than anyone expected.