Have you heard of Ruth Nidesand? She’s a name that often gets overlooked in the Obama family history. But her story is a fascinating one that deserves to be told. In this post, we’ll dive into the life of Ruth Nidesand and explore her connection to the 44th President of the United States.
Who is Ruth Nidesand?
Ruth Beatrice Nidesand, née Baker, was born on January 14, 1937 in Boston, Massachusetts. Not much is known about her early life, but we do know she was an American Jew. Ruth would go on to marry Barack Hussein Obama Sr., the father of future U.S. President Barack Obama, in the early 1960s.
From her marriage to Obama Sr., Ruth had two sons – Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo and David Obama Ndesandjo. Sadly, David passed away in a motorcycle accident in 1987 at the age of 23. After her divorce from Obama Sr., Ruth remarried a man with the surname Nidesand. Together they had one son named Joseph Nidesand.
So while she never held any formal titles herself, Ruth was the first wife of Barack Obama Sr. and the mother of President Obama’s two half-brothers. Her sons Mark and Joseph are both American citizens living abroad – Mark in China and Joseph in Nairobi, Kenya.
Early Life and Family Background
Details about Ruth’s childhood, education, and life before marrying Barack Obama Sr. are scarce. We know she was born and raised in Boston to a Jewish family. Ruth was 24 years old when she married the 28-year-old Obama Sr. in February 1961 in Maui, Hawaii.
Interestingly, Obama Sr. was still technically married to his first wife Kezia at the time, whom he had wed in Kenya before moving to Hawaii. He later divorced Kezia in order to marry Ruth. The two likely met while they were both students at the University of Hawaii. Obama Sr. was there on a scholarship studying economics.
As a white Jewish woman married to a black African man in the 1960s, Ruth and Barack no doubt faced discrimination and challenges. Interracial marriage had only become legal in all U.S. states in 1967. But they started a family together and had two sons, Mark in 1965 and David in 1968, before divorcing in 1971.
Marriage to Barack Obama Sr.
Ruth Nidesand’s marriage to Barack Obama Sr. was relatively short-lived but produced two sons and a connection to an influential political dynasty. They married in 1961 when Ruth was 24 and Barack was 28. He was a foreign student from Kenya studying in Hawaii.
The couple lived in Hawaii for a time before moving to Cambridge, Massachusetts so Obama Sr. could attend Harvard University. Their first son Mark was born there in 1965. In 1967, the family moved to Kenya for a few years, where their second son David was born in 1968.
However, the marriage became strained. Obama Sr. was reportedly abusive and unfaithful. According to divorce documents, he had a drinking problem and physically abused Ruth. The couple separated and Ruth moved back to the U.S. with her young sons around 1971. She filed for divorce in 1973 and it was finalized in 1974.
Despite the divorce, Ruth allowed her ex-husband to visit his sons when he was in the U.S. over the years. Barack saw Mark and David during a month-long visit in 1971 and then again for a few weeks in Hawaii in 1979, a year before he died in a car accident in 1982 at age 46.
So while their marriage was troubled, Ruth still ensured her sons had a relationship with their father Barack Sr. Her son Mark later connected with his half-brother Barack Obama and they have reportedly developed a warm friendship as adults. Ruth’s brief marriage forever linked her family to the Obamas.
Children and Family Life
Ruth’s greatest joy and legacy was undoubtedly her family. She was the proud mother of three sons – Mark, David, and Joseph. Mark and David were born from her first marriage to Barack Hussein Obama Sr., a Kenyan man she fell in love with in her early adulthood. Though their union did not last, it blessed Ruth with two wonderful boys.
As a single mother, Ruth worked tirelessly to provide for Mark and David. She nurtured them with boundless love, instilling in them the values of hard work, education, and compassion for others. Despite the challenges of single parenthood, Ruth ensured her sons never felt the absence of love or support.
Later, Ruth found love again with a man named Nidesand. Their marriage brought Ruth her third son, Joseph. With a growing family, Ruth embraced the joys and trials of motherhood once more. She was a constant presence in her boys’ lives, cheering them on through every milestone and offering comfort in times of struggle.
For Ruth, family was everything. She delighted in the simple moments – family dinners filled with laughter, watching her boys play in the yard, helping with homework, and being there for all the important events. Her love and dedication to her sons was unwavering, a testament to her strength as a mother.
Later Life and Passing
As her sons grew into adulthood and began families of their own, Ruth transitioned into the role of grandmother. She doted on her grandchildren, showering them with the same love and attention she had given her own children. Being a grandmother brought Ruth immense happiness and fulfillment.
Though details of Ruth’s later years are limited, one can imagine her life was filled with the love and closeness of family. She likely reveled in family gatherings, beaming with pride as she watched her sons become fathers themselves. Ruth’s family was her greatest accomplishment and source of joy.
Sadly, Ruth Nidesand passed away, leaving behind a void in the hearts of those who loved her most. While the exact details of her passing are not widely known, what is certain is the profound impact she had on her family. Ruth’s love, strength, and dedication as a mother and grandmother will forever be remembered and cherished.
Legacy and Influence
Ruth Nidesand’s legacy lives on through her family. Her sons, Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo and David Ndesandjo from her first marriage, and Joseph Ndesandjo from her second, are a testament to the love and values she instilled in them. They carry with them the memories of a mother who gave them everything she had.
Though Ruth may not have had a public platform or title, her influence was felt in the most important arena – her family. She taught her sons the value of love, family, hard work, and resilience through her own quiet example. Ruth’s life serves as a reminder that one’s greatest impact often happens within the walls of home.
In the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and those who knew her, Ruth’s spirit endures. Her legacy is one of a loving mother, a devoted wife, and a woman who faced life’s challenges with grace and strength. Though she may be gone, Ruth’s love and influence continue to shape and inspire her family every day.
In Conclusion
While not a public figure herself, Ruth Nidesand led a remarkable life. She was a Jewish woman who married a black African man at a time when interracial marriage was still controversial. She became a young mother and dealt with an abusive husband before eventually divorcing.
But through it all, Ruth raised her sons Mark and David to become successful adults. And her marriage forever connected her to the Obama family tree. So while Barack Obama Sr. and Ann Dunham are often credited as the parents of the first black U.S. president, let’s not forget about Barack’s first wife Ruth.
Her story adds another layer to the rich tapestry of the Obama family history. From Boston to Hawaii to Kenya and back, Ruth Nidesand certainly had a unique journey. I hope this post sheds some light on this often overlooked member of the extended Obama clan.
