When people look into the history of former U.S. President Barack Obama, they often focus on his mother, Ann Dunham. However, the story of his father, Barack Obama Sr., involves complex relationships with several women. One of the most significant, yet often overlooked figures in this narrative is Ruth Nidesand. She was an American educator who took a leap of faith for love, moving halfway across the world to Kenya. While she is frequently defined only as Obama Sr.’s third wife, Ruth Nidesand lived a life marked by remarkable resilience, personal tragedy, and a deep commitment to education.
Quick Bio of Ruth Nidesand
| Feature | Detail |
| Full Name | Ruth Nidesand (born Ruth Beatrice Baker) |
| Famous As | Third wife of Barack Obama Sr. |
| Date of Birth | Circa 1937 |
| Place of Birth | Massachusetts, United States |
| Education | Simmons College, Boston (Business Degree) |
| Nationality | American (lived in Kenya) |
| First Husband | Barack Obama Sr. (m. 1964–1973) |
| Second Husband | Simeon Ndesandjo |
| Children | Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo, David Opiyo Obama, Joseph Ndesandjo |
| Profession | Educator and School Director |
| Key Achievement | Founder of Madari Kindergarten, Nairobi |
| Religion | Jewish Heritage |
| Current Status | Retired (lived in Nairobi & China) |
Early Life and Background in America
Before her life became intertwined with Kenyan politics and the Obama family history, she was born Ruth Beatrice Baker. Her life began around 1937 in Massachusetts, USA. She grew up in a supportive, suburban environment. Ruth Nidesand came from a Lithuanian-Jewish family, the daughter of Maurice Joseph Baker and Ida Baker.
Education was highly valued in her family. She attended Brookline High School, graduating in 1954. She continued her studies close to home in Boston. Ruth Nidesand earned a degree in business from Simmons College in 1958. Before her life changed dramatically, she lived quietly and worked as an elementary school teacher, developing a passion for helping young children learn.
Meeting Barack Obama Sr.
The course of her life changed in June 1964. Ruth Nidesand was living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when she met Barack Obama Sr. At the time, he was a charismatic graduate student studying economics at Harvard University. He was known for his intellect and intense personality.
Their connection was immediate and moved very quickly. Barack Obama Sr. was preparing to return to his home country of Kenya to help build the newly independent nation. Ruth Nidesand fell deeply in love with him. When he left the United States in August 1964, she made a bold decision that surprised her family and friends.
The Move to Kenya
Just five weeks after Barack Obama Sr. returned to Africa, Ruth Nidesand followed him. It was a massive cultural shift, moving from suburban Boston to Nairobi in the mid-1960s. She committed fully to her new life in East Africa.
On December 24, 1964, they made their union official. Ruth Nidesand and Obama Sr. were married in a civil ceremony in Kenya. This marriage made her his third wife. While many people search for information on “ruth nidesand wikipedia” pages, the details of this period are often brief. It was a time of great hope, but it would soon face serious challenges.
Navigating Complex Family Timelines
Because Barack Obama Sr. had multiple partners, the timelines can be confusing. It is important to understand the relationship between Ann Dunham, Ruth Nidesand, and their shared husband. Obama Sr. and the President’s mother, Ann Dunham, finalized their divorce in 1964.
This was the exact same year he married Ruth Nidesand. There was virtually no overlap in their lives as wives. While Ann Dunham raised young Barack in Hawaii and later Indonesia, Ruth Nidesand was beginning her complex journey as a wife and stepmother in Nairobi.
A Difficult and Abusive Marriage
Sadly, the fairy tale romance did not last long. The marriage between Ruth Nidesand and Barack Obama, Sr. became deeply troubled. As Obama Sr.’s political career stalled and he fell out of favor with the Kenyan government, his personal demons took over. He struggled severely with alcoholism.
The home environment became dangerous. Ruth Nidesand endured domestic abuse during these years. Her eldest son has publicly written about the difficult circumstances growing up in that household. Recognizing the danger to herself and her children, Ruth Nidesand made the difficult choice to leave. They separated in 1971, and their divorce was finalized in 1973.
Ruth Nidesand’s Children
During her marriage to Barack Obama Sr., Ruth Nidesand became a mother to two sons. Her life revolved around protecting and raising them in Kenya. Her eldest son is Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo, born around 1965.
Mark is perhaps the most well-known of the Ruth Nidesand children. He is an accomplished classical pianist and a writer. He wrote a memoir titled Nairobi to Shenzhen, which details his challenging childhood. Ruth Nidesand had a second son with Obama Sr. named David Opiyo Obama, born in 1968. Tragically, David died in a motorcycle accident in the United States in 1987.
Finding Stability with Simeon Ndesandjo
After her traumatic marriage to Obama Sr. ended, Ruth Nidesand sought stability and safety. She chose to stay in Kenya, the country that had become her home. She eventually found a good partner in a Tanzanian man named Simeon Ndesandjo.
When she married Simeon, she took his last name. She is often referred to as Ruth Ndesandjo, though many media outlets still use the spelling Ruth Nidesand. To help distance her young sons from their biological father’s abusive legacy, Mark and David also adopted their stepfather’s surname. With Simeon, she had her third son, Joseph Ndesandjo, born around 1980.
A Passion for Education: The Madari Kindergarten
While her connection to the Obama family brings her fame, her true legacy lies in her professional work. Ruth Nidesand was a dedicated and respected educator in Nairobi for decades. She was far more than just a spouse; she was a career woman.
Ruth Nidesand founded and directed the Madari Kindergarten in Nairobi. She ran the school for nearly 40 years. It was not just a business for her; it was a passion. As a talented pianist herself, she believed strongly in the power of music in early childhood development. She ensured music and discipline were central parts of the curriculum at her school.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Ruth Nidesand?
Ruth Nidesand is an American-born educator known for being the third wife of Barack Obama Sr., the father of former U.S. President Barack Obama.
2. Where was Ruth Nidesand born?
She was born in Massachusetts, USA, around 1937 to a Lithuanian-Jewish family and attended Simmons College in Boston.
3. Who are Ruth Nidesand’s children?
She has three sons: Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo and David Opiyo Obama (with Barack Obama Sr.), and Joseph Ndesandjo (with her second husband).
4. Did Ruth Nidesand know Ann Dunham?
While both were married to Barack Obama Sr., their marriages did not overlap. Ann Dunham divorced him in 1964, the same year Ruth Nidesand married him.
5. What was Ruth Nidesand’s profession?
She was a dedicated educator who founded and directed the Madari Kindergarten in Nairobi, Kenya, for nearly 40 years.
Later Life and Legacy
In her later years, Ruth Nidesand retired from her work at the kindergarten due to health issues. She maintained a very private life in Nairobi, stepping away from the spotlight even as her stepson became a global political figure.
Reports indicate that in her final years, she spent significant time receiving medical care in China, supported by her son Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo, who lives in Shenzhen. Looking back at her life, Ruth Nidesand was a woman of incredible strength. She moved across the globe for love, survived an abusive marriage to a troubled man, and rebuilt her life on her own terms. She raised three sons and educated thousands of Kenyan children, leaving a lasting impact that goes far beyond her famous surname.
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