Barack and Michelle Obama may no longer live in the White House, but their lives are still in the public eye following Barack's two terms as POTUS. The former first couple remain politically and philanthropically active, and they now split their time between a home in Martha's Vineyard and a residence in Washington, DC. On social media, followers have the opportunity to connect with the Obamas in a more casual way than when they were leaders of the nation. So it likely felt personal for some in July 2023 upon learning that Barack and Michelle's personal chef unexpectedly died.
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In the years since the Obamas handed over the White House reins, they've split their time between two homes. One is an $8.1 million property just five minutes from the White House. The other is a home they purchased for $12 million in Martha's Vineyard. And unfortunately, the island off the southeast shore of Massachusetts is where tragedy struck for Michelle and Barack's personal chef, Tafari Campbell.
Barack Obama's personal chef, Tafari Campbell, died unexpectedly in July 2023.
On July 24, 2023, the Obamas' personal chef Tafari Campbell died in a paddle boarding accident near their estate in Martha's Vineyard. Tafari, 45, was from Dumfries, Virginia, and Massachusetts State Police confirmed to People that divers recovered his body from a pond shortly before 10 a.m.
What happened to Tafari?
The search for Tafari began at 7:46 p.m. on July 23 when a 911 call reported “a male paddle boarder who had gone into the water, appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface, and then submerged and did not resurface," Massachusetts State Police told People in a statement.
"Mr. Campbell was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of his passing," the statement noted. "President and Mrs. Obama were not present at the residence at the time of the accident."
The Obamas have released a statement in the wake of his death.
Michelle and Barack released a statement of their own following news of Tafari's death, calling him a "beloved part of our family."
"When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House — creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together," they explained, per Page Six. "In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter."
The Obamas continued: "That’s why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He’s been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone."
Tafari is survived by his wife, Sherise, and two sons.
In the Obamas' statement, it noted that Tafari left behind a wife, Sherise Campbell. The chef was also a father of twin boys, Xavier and Savin. "My heart is broken. My life and our family’s life is forever changed," Sherise wrote on her baking and catering business's Instagram account on July 25, alongside a photo of Tafari. "Please pray for me and our families as I deal with the loss of my husband."
Years ago, he was featured in a video on the White House's YouTube channel.
Back in 2012, the White House published a video featuring Tafari on its official YouTube channel. It showed him going through the process of brewing honey ale beer using honey from Michelle's garden in the White House's South Lawn.
Our thoughts are with Tafari's family and friends during this difficult time.
