What To Know About Barack Obama’s Eight Half-Siblings

Mark Obama Ndesandjo was born to Barack Obama Sr. and his third wife, Ruth Beatrice Baker, in 1965. Like his half-sister Auma, Mark is dedicated to humanitarian efforts. His organization, the Mark Obama Ndesandjo Foundation, assists disadvantaged children through art.

Mark and Barack first met in Kenya in 1988, but their relationship has been somewhat strained. In his book “Cultures: My Odyssey of Self-Discovery,” Mark reflects on their initial meeting, hinting that they didn’t instantly take to each other. He told The Associated Press that the publication of his book further complicated his relationships within the Obama family, including with Barack (via Politico). The book candidly discusses the abuse Mark and his mother endured from Obama Sr. and critiques certain aspects of Barack’s memoir, “Dreams from My Father.” If Mark’s allegations of abuse and abandonment are true, one can clearly see how Barack Obama’s childhood affected his relationship with his daughters.

Despite this, Mark has established his own identity outside the shadow of his famous brother. In 2001, Mark relocated from the United States to Shenzhen, China. He is a talented pianist, poet, and calligrapher, in addition to being an author. Mark also had a full brother, David Ndesandjo Obama, who tragically passed away in an accident after the death of their father.