Being president of the United States comes with great power, obv, and that goes hand in hand with having one of the highest public profiles of anyone in the world. But while anyone running for president has chosen to make that trade-off, their family members are thrust into that same spotlight — whether or not they want to be.
A presidential candidate’s spouse probably has some say in the matter, to whatever extent the couple makes decisions like that together. First spouses can carve out some role in their partner’s administration, like Michelle Obama’s focus on health and fitness. But for their kids, if there are any, it’s a whooooole other story. They’re brought along for the ride, like it or not, and often while they’re just trying to be normal teens. Just look at Malia and Sasha Obama, who have pretty much grown up before our eyes.
As they prepare to leave the White House, here’s how a few other recent First Daughters have fared.
1. Jenna and Barbara Bush: The fraternal twins, daughters of George W. and Laura Bush, were 19 when their father was inaugurated in 2001. They were freshmen in college, Jenna at the University of Texas in Austin, and Barbara at Yale. After Jenna was arrested twice in two weeks (for possession of alcohol and then for using a fake ID), she gained a reputation for being hard-partying, though she really just sounds like a typical college student. Since then she’s gone on to become a journalist working for NBC and Southern Living magazine, while Barbara heads a health advocacy organization she also founded.
2. Chelsea Clinton: At just shy of 13 when her father was elected, Chelsea Clinton spent the most awkward, uncomfortable years of most people’s lives as one of the most recognizable people in the world. Yikes. Yet she made it out and went on to rack up a few degrees from prestigious universities, and now holds seats on the boards of several companies and non-profit organizations, including her family’s Clinton Foundation. Depending on how the presidential election turns out in November, Chelsea could be the First Daughter again.
What do you think we’ll see Malia and Sasha doing in 10 years? Let us know on Twitter @BritandCo!
(Photos via Paul Hawthorne and Rick Stewart / Getty)