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Barack Obama's Branch-y Family Tree
July 28, 2008 1:58 PM
How many half-siblings do you think Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, has?
Two?
Three?
Four?
Would you believe eight?
That's the official count, at any rate, though that number seems approximate.
Here's how it shakes out.
HALF-SIB #1 ONE: MOM'S SIDE -- HALF-SIS MAYA
The one who has been front row and center is Maya Soetoro-Ng, 37, who has campaigned on Obama's behalf.
After Obama's parents divorced, Obama's mother Ann Dunham -- Barack Obama Sr.'s second wife -- married a man named Lolo Soetoro. The whole brood, including Obama and his new little half-sister Maya, lived in Indonesia.
Maya Soetoro-Ng is a Buddhist, holds a Ph.D. in education, has a Chinese-Canadian husband, and teaches at an all-girl's school in Hawaii.
On this video she discusses her relationship with her older half-brother.
We know far less about Obama's half-siblings through his late father's side. Barack Obama Sr. had eight children with four different women. Here's who they are.
HALF-SIBS #2-THROUGH-5 -- DAD'S SIDE -- MALIK, AUMA, ABO & BERNARD
When Obama was in London, The Sun found one of his half-brothers in the UK, Bernard Obama.
Bernard is the youngest child from Barack Obama Sr's first marriage in Kenya to Kezia (who now lives in the UK.) He runs an auto parts firm in Nairobi, Kenya, and converted to Islam.
Their other three kids from the Obama Sr./Kezia marriage are Abongo (Roy) Obama who is also known as Malik, half sister Auma Obama, and Abo Obama.
Malik lives in the Obama family's ancestral home in Kenya, Nyangoma-Kogelo, and runs an electronics store nearby. He and Sen. Obama served as best men for each other's weddings. Readers of this blog might also recall the misinformation spread after Malik spoke to Israeli Army Radio.
Malik converted to Islam and Obama wrote in Dreams From My Father that Malik is "prone to make lengthy pronouncements on the need for the black man to liberate himself from the poisoning influence of European culture, and scolds Auma for what he calls her European ways. The words he speaks are not fully his own, and in his transition he can sometimes sound stilted and dogmatic. but the magic of his laughter remains, and we can disagree without rancor."
Obama met his half-sister Auma after their father died in a car accident in 1982. “I knew at that moment, somehow, that I loved her," Obama wrote in Dreams From My Father. "Even now I can’t explain it; I only know that the love was true, and still is, and I’m grateful for it."
She lives in London, and in 2006 told the Guardian, "Barack was a lot like my father - his hand movements, his gestures, how he talks, how he sits. He's got a certain quietness about him and he sits and he concentrates like my father. He can be in a room full of people and he withdraws on his own. And we've all got the Obama hands - the fingers and everything. So it was amazing to watch that, because I was meeting him for the first time but it felt like I knew him."
The last child from this brood, Abo Obama, doesn't necessarily come across the best in Dreams From My Father.
In 1987, Obama visited Kenya to meet Jok Obama in K'Obama (the people of Obama in the Land of Obama), and Abo wasn't happy that the tape recorder Obama brought him as a gift wasn't a Sony. "I nodded at him, trying not to get angry," the senator wrote. In his half-brother's eyes he saw "something that reminded me of young men back in Chicago. An element of guardedness, perhaps, and calculation. The look of someone who realizes early in life that he has been wronged."
One except from Dreams make it seem less clear whether Bernard is definitely related to Obama.
Obama's Aunt Zeituni, his dad's sister, tells him that after Obama Sr. went off to live with his third wife Ruth Nidesand, "'well, he would go to Kezia sometimes. You must understand that traditionally she was still his wife. It was during such a visit that Kezia became pregnant with Abo…The thing was, Kezia also lived with another man briefly during this time. So when she became pregnant again, with Bernard, no one was sure who --' Zeituni stopped, letting the thought finish itself.
"'Does Bernard know about this?'" Obama asks.
"'Yes, he knows by now. You understand, such things made no difference to your father. He would say that they were all his children.'"
HALF SIBS #6 & 7 -- DAD'S SIDE -- MARK AND DAVID
The London Times also found Obama half-brother Mark Ndesandjo in Shenzhen, China, selling services to help Chinese merchants sell their goods in the U.S.
Mark Ndesandjo is the son of Obama Sr. and his third wife, American Ruth Nidesand, who runs a kindergarten in Nairobi, Kenya. In Dreams From My Father, Obama describes meeting Mark, who said he never thought of settling in Kenya since, “there’s not much work for a physicist, is there, in a country where the average person doesn’t have a telephone...You think that somehow I’m cut off from my roots, that sort of thing. Well, you’re right...At a certain point I made the decision not to think about who my real father was. He was dead to me even when he was still alive. I knew that he was a drunk and showed no concern for his wife and children. That was enough.”
"It made you mad," Obama said.
"Not mad," replied Mark." Just numb."
Obama wrote that when he said goodbye to Mark, “we exchanged addresses and promised to write, with a dishonesty that made my heart ache.”
Mark's brother David Ndesandjo was killed in a motorcycle accident.
Nidesand had another son, Joseph Ndesandjo, owner and president of DHS Security in San Antonio, Texas.
Joseph Ndesandjo may have a resemblance to Obama, but the campaign says they are of no relation, though he is Obama's half brother's half brother.
HALF SIB #8 -- DAD'S SIDE -- GEORGE
Lastly, from Barack Obama Sr.'s last known relationship, is George, whom Obama met during that 1987 visit to Kenya.
"I took comfort in the fact that perhaps one day, when he was older, George, too, might want to know who his father had been, and who his brothers and sisters were, and that if he ever came to me I would be there for him, to tell him the story I knew," Obama wrote.
- jpt
July 28, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (90)
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I am no Obama fan. However, this discussion of Obama's family is totally irrelevant, tabloid journalism. Wait, I take that back - the entire American mainstream media is now tabloid journalism, at least on its better days. With this assumption, I now understand why ABC considers this "news" during a presidential campaign. So, YOU GO, MEDIA!!!
Posted by: Stephen Henning | Sep 8, 2008 11:23:12 AM
Obama is fond of quoting "If you have done it unto the least of my brethren, you've done it unto me." What an absolute hypocrite he is. I live in South Africa and the media here in the tank for Obama so are the ignorant masses. There is a hope here in Africa that if Obama is elected he will help his African brothers. He won't even help his own brothers, like George, let alone the rest. He is no messiah. He is more like a pariah!
Posted by: Mark | Aug 30, 2008 8:43:31 AM
You know reading through all these threads makes me wonder whether people actually think before they write. I enjoyed the discourse, both in favour of Obama and McCain, as long as it was TRUE, KIND and NECESSARY. For all the people that just talk out of their hats, with all the hate-speech, makes me wonder if they have gone past 3rd grade!
And my the way, can anybody stand up to be counted that came from a nice two-parent home, direct siblings only, no other siblings anywhere else...and oh, forgot, that has reached out to all their cousins and relatives and tried to make them equal with them on the socio-economic plane???? If you are one of these people, then let's talk...!!!
And just for the record, Raila Odinga did not bring the Kenyan Government down, do yourself a favour and educate yourself. Secondly, Kenyans are not clamouring for the occasion to make the voyage to the US to become green-card holders or whatever. And anyway, can anybody on this post say how they came to America anyhow?????
Lastly, I don't care how many mansions McCain has, it's just important to know where your wealth is tied up. Alright already!
Posted by: Nix | Aug 26, 2008 4:04:08 PM
Regarding the statement in the article:
"I took comfort in the fact that perhaps one day, when he was older, George, too, might want to know who his father had been, and who his brothers and sisters were, and that if he ever came to me I would be there for him, to tell him the story I knew," Obama wrote.
======================================
Can anybody tell me how George is going
to "come" to Senator Obama? George
lives on LESS than $1/Month and lives
in a 6' X 9' SHACK in some Shanty town in AFRICA. He makes the bums living on US streets look RICH, moneywise. You can read more about Obama's brother, George, here:
Barack Obama's 'lost' brother found in Kenya
How utterly SHAMEFUL to ignore family like this especially since Obama is so RICH!! His brother is trying to go to school to better himself. How he could possibly do it seems impossible to me since he is so DIRT POOR! Senator Obama could change his brother's life and not miss any of the small amount of money it would take to get him through school and help him to find a job. Oh, I forgot, Obama expects his brother to "Come" to him. Can't help him unless he does that! That's a convenient Cop-Out...
Remember folks, Obama "Cares" about you!!! I'm sure he will give you as much thought and "CARE" as he has his very own BROTHER!!
Food for thought folks!! What a HYPOCRITE...
Oh, by the way, I'm not voting for McCain or Obama. Ron Paul is the only SANE choice for me! At least he is consistent and makes his choices according to the CONSTITUTION, NOT the POLLS!! LOL!
Posted by: Eugene | Aug 26, 2008 2:06:00 AM
Mccain was the pampered son of a admiral who like Bush recieved 0utside influence to get in a military academy,ranked toward the bottom of his class ,wrecked three airplanes ,couldnt fly an airplane captured for the same reason the fourth time,he,s a real loser that failed as a pilot who deserved to be captured.He,s no hero .Just a dumb SELF self righteous elitist rich boy who knows from experience how to rob a savings and loan (keating five.)does he know how to save the economy? An old whoremonger who married a very wonderful filthy rich woman.He is everything that is wrong with America, a George Bush clone.Barry Goldwater would change parties.Libertarian you know.
Posted by: Ben Bailey | Aug 26, 2008 12:26:14 AM
Quote" "Would someone please identify Obama's accomplishments which qualify him to be the next president of the greatest country in the free world?"
You know, though... I'm trying to figure out the answer to that same question about McCain. Or George Bush, for that matter. There are times when I wonder why the people who voted for GB shouldn't be placed on voting probation for helping to get the country in such a mess.
Posted by: purplehawk | Aug 25, 2008 3:41:15 PM
Sound Minded, my thoughts exactly. Obama is not motivated to help people as many public servants are. We're supposed to believe that he is so gifted that the lack of effort in serving the public good should be waived in his case.
Posted by: Mary Ok | Aug 25, 2008 10:35:23 AM
Why is this not good reading? He may be be our next president.
Obama himself wrote about his family in his own book. His comments reaveal what he thinks about the siblings.
I was wondering why Obama chose to name his book bringing focus to his father who had not given much to him except life. And if he values his life that he is living, that should give him pause to think about the issue of pro-life or pro-choice. If his mother exercised her right in pro-choice, Obama would not be here, pursuing his dream.
In the faith forum, Obama answered to the question of America's greatest moral failure today. He said that it is our failure to take care of the least of our brothers, quoting Matthew in the Bible. We know how he will do it here in US. He will tax the rich and have government pay for the programs.
I would like to give him the benefit of a doubt that his helping hand is not confined to using goverment money only.
Just putting the two together.
Yes he should be commended for building a solid family.
Posted by: west coast | Aug 24, 2008 7:22:02 PM
Would someone please identify Obama's accomplishments which qualify him to be the next president of the greatest country in the free world?
Posted by: Lisa | Aug 23, 2008 7:38:59 PM
NoBama.....
Posted by: Sound Minded | Aug 23, 2008 6:19:06 AM
If you never leave a paper trail, there is nothing to follow.
If you never make a decision, you can deny responsibilty.
If you speak in circles or philosophize, people will hear what they want to hear.
If you let others speak for you, you can always say, I didn't say that.
If you never make a commitment, you don't have to keep your word.
If you leave no footprints, no one can see where you've been.
If you never go into battle, you will never be tested.
Obama has never made a commitment, always lets others speak for him, and has never been tested.
With his silver tongue and charisma, he has charmed others into carrying him where he wants to go.
Obama wants the title of President, not the responsibility. I question whether he has the courage, inner strength, or the will to take a stand on the overwhelming challenges we face as a nation.
Posted by: REPUBLICAN RON | Aug 22, 2008 10:23:21 PM
Obama, has the audacity to compare the United States to both Russia and China, and in both instances finds us in second place. This is the country that has given him a life and an opportunity he could have found in no other country on this planet, and he is not grateful for a single thing it has done for him. Well go run for president of China or Russia, why don't you?"
Obama said Hillary Clinton would "be at the top of anybody's short list," but it was all just a lie to keep her supporters in line. Obama didn't even bother to vet Mrs. Clinton! Don't cry, ladies. Get mad. Vote for us!
"Obama didn't even consider Hillary! This is the biggest sign of disrespect that anybody in the Democrat Party has ever shown the Clintons -- and the Clintons are not the Clintons I know if they just sit there and take this. If I were Hillary, I'd declare myself the vice presidential nominee and watch the fur fly."
Queen Bee Nancy Pelosi puts forth her pick for Obama's VP, and it's not Hillary. It's Congressman Chet Edwards. But who is he?
"In the last two years, Obama gave less than 1% of his five to $6 million income to charity, and he's trying to make hay out of a bunch of lies about John McCain's homes. Well, we have a lot of Obama half siblings out there living in abject poverty! George Obama lives in a hut on less than $12 a year! I guess when Obama cited that passage about caring for 'the least among us,' it was just more empty words."
Posted by: RepublicansRULE | Aug 22, 2008 6:59:49 PM
Question: If Barack Hussein Obama becomes President, how many of his siblings will require Secret Service protection, ask for asylum in the USA and/or go on USA welfare at tax payers expense?
Posted by: Tailhooker | Aug 22, 2008 6:32:05 PM
Buyer's remorse? More and more clearly Obama appears unelectable. What must the Clintons think? How inept to have let this upstart defeat them.
How brilliant do the democratic party chiefs look? Convention ought to be most fun to watch.
Posted by: MakeLifeGood | Aug 22, 2008 6:27:27 PM
See what happens when you forget to take out the trash?
Best wishes - I'd look for a couple hundred acres somewhere and plan on spending the next 10 years clear of this train wreck.
Are there really that many people that arent seeing the problem here?
Posted by: Run for the hills | Aug 22, 2008 6:14:10 PM
My goodness, the Obama family father had trouble with morals. I don't know about Barack's morals but I do know about his ethics, about the same as his fathers questionable morals. This and he is not a good thing! Basically a socialist with the ultra-liberal democratic mentality which will lead to dictatorship/power. Already have that with the majority democrats in my County and State, and the love affair with criminals and illegal aliens is disturbing, for I, the white, self-sustaining, debt free, senior & American citizen has no voice any more.
Posted by: Dovey | Aug 22, 2008 1:44:43 PM
I will never vote for Obama. What are the American people thinking to even elevate this person to candidate status. He is so naive about politics. His response to the gas crisis is to tell people to inflate their tires to get better gas mileage. Now thats an energy plan!!NOT Blood is always thicker than water so where does this man's loyalties lay when forced to make hard decisions. Heaven help us all if this man becomes the president.
Posted by: Angela | Aug 21, 2008 6:55:30 AM
Is owning 11 houses a bad thing? Seems like something a person would aspire to.
Posted by: MtnBiker | Aug 21, 2008 12:03:58 AM
I am voting of Barack, was a republician and will never vote republician again as they are all liars.
Posted by: John Doe | Jul 29, 2008 2:21:15 PM
wow, lots of siblings--and John (or Cindy) McCain owns a mansion for every one of them.
Posted by: JR | Jul 29, 2008 1:08:27 PM
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