CHICAGO, United States — Former US President Barack Obama has officially marked the opening of his presidential center in Chicago in a high-profile, invite-only ceremony attended by former presidents, global political figures, A-list entertainers, athletes and civil rights leaders.
The event on Thursday brought together former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, alongside former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, in a rare public reunion of living US administrations. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also attended.
The $850 million Obama Presidential Center, located on Chicago’s South Side, is expected to open to the public on Juneteenth and attract more than one million visitors annually once fully operational.
In his keynote remarks, Obama framed the centre as both a personal milestone and a broader civic institution aimed at reinforcing democratic values.
“I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is and remind us what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens,” he said.
Obama also stressed values such as integrity, compassion and public duty, while paying tribute to leaders from across the political divide.
“Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did,” he said.
Notably absent from the ceremony was President Donald Trump, who also went unmentioned during the main speeches and performances. Trump has previously criticised the project, calling it a “total disaster” in a social media post earlier this year.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama delivered one of the most emotional moments of the evening, praising her husband’s resilience through eight years in office and reflecting on the pressures of the presidency.
“Eight years in the crucible and not once did you melt in the heat,” she said. “You made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park.”
She highlighted key moments from Obama’s presidency, including the operation that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, the push for marriage equality and the administration’s emphasis on science-based policy.
Obama was visibly emotional as she spoke, appearing to wipe away tears at points during the tribute.
She also warned against growing political polarisation, describing the present era as “anxious and divisive times,” and said the centre was intended to serve as “a respite from all that.”
The ceremony doubled as a cultural showcase, featuring performances from some of the world’s most recognisable artists.
Jennifer Hudson opened with the US national anthem, while Christina Aguilera performed “What a Wonderful World.” John Legend, joined by Common and Uniting Voices Chicago, delivered “Glory,” while Bono and The Edge performed U2’s “City of Blinding Lights.”
Bruce Springsteen sang “Land of Hopes and Dreams,” telling Obama from the stage, “I love you,” as Stevie Wonder closed with “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” and “All I Do.”
The Roots served as the house band throughout the evening.
The ceremony drew a wide range of international and US public figures, including civil rights leader Al Sharpton, former UN ambassador Andrew Young, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Billie Jean King, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert.
International leaders in attendance included former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Obama used the occasion to reflect on his early political journey in Chicago, noting that his personal and professional life is deeply tied to the city.
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“I could not have built this center anywhere else,” he said, referencing his early activism, marriage to Michelle Obama, and the birth of his children in the city.
While the event celebrated his legacy, Obama also acknowledged challenges during his presidency, including rising political polarisation.
“One of the few regrets of my presidency is that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better,” he said in a reflective moment.
The Obama Presidential Center is expected to open to the public in phases, with full operations beginning in the coming months. Organisers say more than a million visitors annually are expected once the site is fully operational.
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, said the centre was not intended to serve as a monument to one man, but as a broader civic space.
“This is not a monument to the Obamas,” she said. “This is a tribute to all those who made this journey possible.”
