Former US President Obama To Celebrate 60th Birthday In Style

According to previous birthday celebration president, Obama held similarly star-studded affairs for his 50th and 55th birthdays. Of course, presidential showbiz hobnobbing is nothing new, but the Obamas took it to new heights. A decade ago, Stevie Wonder and Herbie

Hancock performed at the White House while guests enjoyed a BBQ in the Rose Garden. When he turned 55, the then-president rubbed shoulders with everyone from Jay Z and Beyoncé to Samuel L Jackson and George Lucas. The Obamas also hosted Hillary Clinton, Michael Jordan, Paul McCartney and Janelle Monáe at the former first lady’s 50th in 2014.

Tomorrow, Thursday Barack Obama will ring in his seventh decade in style. On Thursday, the 44th President of the United States will be celebrating his 60th birthday with a dazzlingly star-studded guest-list rumoured to include Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Spielberg, George Clooney and an array of other A-listers at his $11.75 million home on Martha’s Vineyard.

Of the planned festivities at the 7,000 sq ft, seven-bedroom home with a private beach and 30 acres of gardens, one source reports: “It’s going to be a big one.”

The ritzy Massachusetts holiday destination is abuzz with speculation about the bash. Nearly 500 guests are expected to attend with a staff of 200 topping up drinks and dishing out canapés (expect Obama’s favourite, fried chicken, and the local speciality, lobster rolls). The entertainment will include Seattle grungers Pearl Jam and a local hairdresser has been put on standby to style them before their performance.

Obama is known for sharing his playlists and this year’s is a mix of classics like Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill and Holding Back the Years by Simply Red (feeling his age?) and newer songs by Londoners Jessie Ware and Little Simz. To mark the occasion, HBO will release the first in a three-part documentary special, Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union, in the US today with a UK release date to be announced soon.

The Obamas are paying for the party from their personal funds (their net worth is about $135 million) and instead of bringing presents, guests are being asked to consider giving to programs that work to support boys and young men of colour and their families in the US, empower girls around the world and equip the next generation of community leaders including the Obama Foundation’s Global Leadership programs.

In an effort to ensure the super-networking doesn’t mean super-spreading, only those who have been vaccinated are invited (Michelle Obama has been active in the drive to get Americans vaccinated). The party will also be held outdoors and a dedicated Covid co-ordinator will apparently try to make sure due deference is paid to pandemic procedures. However, the former president has been criticised for having a big party when the Delta variant is on the rise.