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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.
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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.
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Martha’s Vineyard Home
The 6,892-square-foot property sits on 29 acres and includes seven bedrooms; eight and a half baths; multiple fireplaces; a two-car garage; detached barn; pool; a boat house; and a private beach.
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It’s so spectacular, we’d be jealous of anyone else with an estate this amazing, but Barack and Michelle deserve all the things and we’ll never be anything but happy for them.
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Entryway
Is your fabulous estate even real if it doesn’t have a show-stopping grand staircase in the entryway? How would you make a dramatic entrance without it?
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Living Room
As we all know, in a Black household no one ever sets foot in the formal living room. That is for show, not living. However, if you have to occasionally entertain heads of state and royalty, these rules don’t apply and you need a space worthy of world leaders.
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Family Room
Despite its huge size, the family room has a cozier, more welcoming vibe than the formal living room. The comfortable atmosphere makes it a perfect casual gathering space.
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Kitchen
Michelle Obama’s love of cooking is well-known, though now that Sasha and Malia are older, family dinners may not be as regular as they used to be. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t want a fantastic, dream kitchen to experiment in.
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Dining Room
We don’t know if the Obamas kept this idea for their dining room, but using a round table makes it feel less formal and more relaxed. Everyone can have a laid-back family meal without feeling like it’s a whole thing.
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Primary Suite
The primary suite is ridiculously huge with massive ceilings and unmatched ocean views. It’s the definition of private oasis. And don’t forget about the private balcony, which we’ll get to later.
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Primary Bath
A giant, luxurious tub overlooking the property’s amazing view? Yes please!
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Guest Room
We don’t know how Sasha and Malia decided who gets which rooms, but it probably wasn’t a huge fight, as they’re all equally spectacular. With suites almost as amazing as the primary, there are no losers here.
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More Guest Rooms
What makes this home so refreshing is all the natural light streaming into every room. There’s no place that doesn’t have a jaw-dropping view.
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Bathrooms
No one has ever said, “I wish this house had less bathrooms.” Multiple bathrooms is the best way to keep familial peace. With eight and a half baths, everyone gets a space they can make their own.
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Screened Porch
This screened porch might be our favorite room. The family gets to enjoy all the perks of living on Martha’s Vineyard, without worrying about weather. The space offers the best parts of being outdoors, without actually dealing with the outdoors.
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Balcony
So about that private balcony we mentioned. Set off the primary suite, there really aren’t words to describe this breathtaking balcony. Seriously, the suite and balcony combination alone is worth $11 million.
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Pool
The private balcony has a staircase that takes you down to the pool, so you can continue all the outdoor fun without journeying downstairs through the huge house.
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Private Beach
And just in case that’s not enough, there’s a walkway down to the private beach, which is the cherry on the sundae of this out-of-this-world property.
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