KEY POINTS

  • Barack Obama shared a throwback photo of him and his daughter, Malia, on her birthday
  • Barack said it's a joy to watch Malia make her own way with poise, grace and humor
  • Michelle Obama also shared a sweet tribute for Malia on Instagram on Independence Day

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama remembered their daughter, Malia, on her birthday by paying tribute to her online.

The former president shared a throwback photo of him with Malia. In the shot, she is still very young and the ex-POTUS is grinning with his eyes closed while assisting his daughter. Barack shared in the caption that his daughter, who celebrates her birthday on Independence Day, thought the fireworks were for her.

"Happy Fourth of July, and Happy Birthday, Malia! It’s been such a joy to watch you begin to make your own way in the world with poise, grace, and humor. I miss the days when you thought the fireworks were for you," he wrote in the caption.

Meanwhile, Michelle shared a photo of her with her daughter on Instagram. In the snap, Malia is hugging her mom while both of them smile at something from afar. The former first lady accompanied the post with a message for her eldest daughter.

"Happy Fourth of July, everybody—and also, happy 23rd birthday to our dear Malia!" Michelle wrote. "It’s been a few years since we took this photo, but I know that she’ll always be my sweet little girl whose big hugs and big heart always lift up my day. Malia, we love you, and are so excited to see what this year will bring for you!"

Several commented on Michelle and Barack’s birthday posts for their daughter. The netizens also dropped their birthday greetings for Malia in the comments section.

"Happy Birthday [red heart emoji] strong Women Empower Women," one commented.

"Happy Birthday Malia, we miss our First Family...Blessings and much love," another wrote.

"Happy birthday Malia!" a third user added.

"Ma'am, your daughter has the same grace, and very authentic like you. The way you groomed her, shows your compassion, dedication and responsibility towards your motherhood journey," a fourth added.

In February, Malia scored a TV writing gig for an Amazon project. She joined Donald Glover's series for the network.

Michelle and Barack's daughter has shown interest in entering Hollywood for quite some time now. In 2017, she landed an internship with The Weinstein Company after being an intern on HBO's "Girls." She also previously worked as a production assistant on CBS' "Extant" that starred Halle Berry.

Malia Obama walks her new six-month old Portuguese water dog Bo alongside US President Barack Obama, Sasha Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2009
Malia Obama walks her new six-month old Portuguese water dog Bo alongside US President Barack Obama, Sasha Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2009 AFP / SAUL LOEB