Michelle Obama Shares Insights into Sasha’s Serious Car Accident

In a recent episode of Kylie Kelce’s podcast, “Not Gonna Lie,” former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about a shocking incident involving her youngest daughter, Sasha Obama, which had remained largely under the radar until now. This revelation highlights the challenges faced by the Obama family during their time in the White House while also providing a glimpse into the lives of the daughters who grew up in such a high-profile environment.

Michelle disclosed that Sasha was involved in a significant car accident while they were living in the White House, a detail that adds a layer of complexity to their already scrutinized lives. “One time Sasha got T-boned, literally her car totaled. Some lady T-boned her,” Michelle recalled, emphasizing the severity of the incident and the emotional turmoil it caused the family.

As Michelle recounted the terrifying moment when she received the call about the accident, she expressed her concern not only for Sasha’s safety but also for the individual who had struck her daughter. “You get this call that Sasha was in an accident, the car was totaled, and then I thought, ‘Oh, I hope the lady that hit her is OK,’ because you imagine, right, she’s like, ‘You T-boned Sasha Obama?’” This moment captures the depth of a mother’s care amidst the chaos of public life.

Former first lady Michelle Obama shares a story about her daughter Sasha Obama horrific car accident.(Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images)

What is particularly striking about this revelation is how, despite the intense media scrutiny that surrounded the Obama family, this car accident managed to avoid public attention. During their time in the White House, the lives of Malia and Sasha were constantly under the microscope, making this incident even more remarkable for its invisibility in the press.

Michelle emphasized her commitment to ensuring that her daughters experienced as much normalcy as possible despite the unique challenges of their situation. Once Sasha and Malia obtained their driver’s licenses, Michelle made the decision to allow them to drive themselves. “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,” she shared, highlighting the balance between security and independence.

The host of the podcast noted that Michelle’s approach stemmed from her desire to raise “normal” children, even under extraordinary circumstances. “I told the agents they have to drive. You only learn to drive by driving. You can’t learn it through osmosis in the back seat of an armored car,” Michelle explained. This philosophy reflects her commitment to parenting and ensuring her daughters developed essential life skills.

This car accident was just one of many challenges Michelle faced while raising her daughters in the White House. It underscores the complexity of parenting in an environment where every action is scrutinized and often sensationalized.

When President Obama was elected in 2008, Malia and Sasha were only 10 and 7 years old, respectively. This means they spent their formative teenage years under the relentless gaze of public attention, with their every move analyzed by the media.

Michelle expressed a desire to provide her daughters with the freedom to live as normal teenagers, despite her worries about them being featured on gossip columns for engaging in typical adolescent activities. “I wanted to give my girls enough rope to live and be normal teenagers, but I was also worrying about them turning up on Page Six because they were doing what normal kids would do,” she said, reflecting on the pressures they faced.

She also pointed out how their experience differed from that of previous first children, particularly due to the overwhelming presence of “social media” and the constant barrage of “cameras everywhere.” This modern landscape presented unique challenges for the Obama daughters as they navigated adolescence.

Michelle’s primary concern throughout their time in the White House was ensuring her daughters were well-prepared for life after their father’s presidency. “When we entered, I’m thinking, ‘How do I make sure that they’re normal and ready when this is all over?’” she reflected, demonstrating her foresight and commitment to her daughters’ futures.

While the car accident was undoubtedly a scary moment for Michelle, it appears to have been just one of many experiences that contributed to Sasha’s growth and independence during her teenage years.

Both Malia and Sasha received driving lessons from the Secret Service, which allowed them to gain valuable driving experience. In a previous appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Michelle shared a humorous anecdote about Malia’s driving instructor, who encouraged her to “floor it… press the gas as hard as you can, and then I want you to stop.” This illustrates the unique challenges of teaching her daughters to drive while under constant surveillance.

Since leaving the White House, Sasha has continued to develop her own identity, occasionally capturing public attention for her unique sense of style. Recently, on February 17, she went viral on social media after images of her in a chic, effortless outfit resurfaced online.

In the viral post, Sasha was seen walking with a cup in one hand and her phone in the other, dressed in a stylish mix-and-match ensemble. The outfit included a blue top, cream-colored shorts, a black leather belt, brown slouchy boots, and a copper-colored jacket layered with a black trench coat. Fans were quick to praise her fashion sense, with one commenter noting that she was “oozing ‘IT’ Girl.”

i’ve never seen these before ohmygod pic.twitter.com/LzQ1ksP9cn

— ًً (@girlsonfillm) February 18, 2025

In both 2023 and 2024, Sasha made headlines for smoking, sparking discussions on social media, where many came to her defense, asserting, “Sasha is a grown woman.” This highlights the ongoing public scrutiny she faces as she navigates her young adult life.

Reflecting on the challenges of raising teenagers under such extraordinary circumstances, Michelle expressed relief when their time in the White House came to an end. “I was so glad when we got out of the White House — I wanted them to have the freedom of not having the eyes of the world on them,” she said. While they still deal with paparazzi and the pressures of their identities, she noted that they gained valuable experience during their years in the White House.

Through the car accident and countless other milestones of adolescence, Michelle Obama’s parenting approach exemplifies her belief that “being a mother has been a master class in letting go. Try as we might, there’s only so much we can control.” This philosophy has guided her as she navigated the complexities of motherhood in the public eye.