Barack Obama Pays Tribute To Late Chef Tafari Campbell Who Drowned At His Martha’s Vineyard Estate

Barack Obama paid tribute to his late White House and personal chef Tafari Campbell. 

The former president shared a post including two photos of Campbell. The first photo was a group picture of Obama, Campbell and Campbell’s wife Sharise Campbell. 

The second was a picture of Tafari smiling as he held one of his culinary dishes in front of him. 

Obama wrote, “Tafari Campbell showed us what true character looks like. He believed that actions speak louder than words. And he used his immense gifts to bring people together, provide comfort, and spread joy. I’ll miss him every day.” 

Tafari died on July 24 due to a paddleboarding accident near the Obamas’ home in Martha’s Vineyard. His body was recovered by officers after a 911 call resulted in a search for him on July 23. The caller told officers that there was “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.”

Barack’s wife Michelle Obama shared her own heartfelt sentiment to Tafari writing, “I will miss my friend, Tafari… the emptiness is hard. But I promise to stay strong, keep living, and honor your legacy in every way possible. Rest in peace, my brother.” She included a photo that was taken of her, Barack and Tafari together. 

The Obamas released a joint statement where they shared that after Tafari worked for them in the White House he became their personal chef. They specifically loved his “warm, fun, extraordinarily kind” personality. 

“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 stated. “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.”

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They ended their statement by writing, “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.”