When your previous homes are the White House and Camp David, there’s a lot of pressure on your next address. For their post-presidential vacation getaway, Barack and Michelle Obama chose a private, yet beautiful estate that would offer them all the luxury and security they’ve become accustomed to.
According to Home & Gardens, the former first couple purchased the waterfront estate for $11.75 million in 2020. Per Bijan C. Bayne in Martha’s Vineyard Magazine, the island has been a longtime vacation spot for Black people, as the atmosphere isn’t racially aggressive and offers a reprieve from the constant slights and stereotypes we routinely face. Considering the spotlight the family lived under while in the White House, it makes sense that the Obamas would want to find a comfortable, safe space for their post-presidential lives.
According to Ebony, beginning with the Shearer Inn in 1912, the Oak Bluffs area has a long history of catering to Black vacationers. Over the years, it became one of the few vacation spots where Black visitors felt they could just exist without needing to prove themselves. We all know we can’t ever truly get away from the racism, but the island has provided a somewhat safe space for Black folks looking to relax and enjoy themselves with some simple summer fun.
The Vineyard has also become a Hollywood hotspot, hosting the annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, which focuses on Black creatives. It’s rumored to have attracted stars like Spike Lee; Eddie Murphy; Beyoncé and Jay-Z; Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; and Oprah Winfrey to the island. With their Higher Ground making waves in the industry, this is yet another reason the location feels perfect for them.
After everything they went through while the former president was in office, the family certainly deserves this gorgeous bit of peace and quiet. We may not be able to live the life of luxury on Martha’s Vineyard, but we can still take a look inside Barack and Michelle Obama’s spectacular island estate.
Note: Screenshots are from the listing on LandVest.com, so they do not reflect what the family’s actual home looks like.