You’ve probably seen the photos. Two couples laughing on a basketball court in Chicago or walking together toward a helicopter on the South Lawn. Most people recognize the Obamas instantly, but the duo standing right next to them—Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt—usually stays just out of the spotlight. Honestly, that’s exactly how they like it.
It’s easy to write them off as just "famous friends," but that’s a massive oversimplification. Martin (or "Marty" to his inner circle) was the national treasurer for both of Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns. Anita? She’s the doctor who actually delivered Malia and Sasha Obama. We are talking about a level of trust that goes beyond politics. It’s deep, decades-old, "know where the bodies are buried" kind of friendship.
Who are Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt?
Basically, they are the definition of a Chicago power couple, but without the ego. Marty is a heavy hitter in the private equity world. He co-founded The Vistria Group and previously ran The Parking Spot. If you’ve ever parked at an airport in a bright yellow shuttle with black spots, you’ve interacted with his business legacy. He’s also the guy currently chairing the Obama Foundation, overseeing the construction of the Presidential Center on the South Side.
Anita is a force in her own right. Dr. Anita Blanchard is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UChicago Medicine. She isn't just a clinician; she's the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education. Think about that for a second. She’s responsible for the training of over 1,000 residents and fellows. While Marty handles the billions in private equity and foundation funds, Anita is literally shaping the future of healthcare in Chicago.
They met the Obamas through Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson. Marty and Craig played basketball together, and eventually, the two families became inseparable. They played Scrabble on Sunday nights. They vacationed together in Hawaii. When the world was looking at Barack Obama as a political phenomenon, the Nesbitts just saw their friend from the neighborhood who happened to be running for President.
✨ Don't miss: Jerry Jones 19.2 Billion Net Worth: Why Everyone is Getting the Math Wrong
The Business Engine: Martin Nesbitt’s Rise
Marty didn't just stumble into success. He’s got an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a background that started at LaSalle Partners.
His business philosophy is kinda unique for private equity. At The Vistria Group, they focus on "impact investing." They look at healthcare, education, and financial services—industries that actually affect people's lives—and try to make them run better. He’s served on boards for American Airlines and Chewy, Inc. This isn't just about moving money around; it's about operational influence.
Why Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt Still Matter in 2026
The reason this couple remains relevant isn't just their past association with a former president. It’s their current footprint in Chicago’s revitalization. As the Obama Presidential Center nears completion, Marty is the one steering the ship. He’s the bridge between the high-level donors and the South Side community that sometimes feels skeptical of big developments.
Anita’s work is equally critical. She has spent her career fighting to increase the diversity of physicians. She knows that patients often have better outcomes when they see doctors who understand their community. In 2021, she helped launch the "Community Champions" program, which gets medical residents out of the hospital and into the neighborhood to understand the social factors that make people sick in the first place.
🔗 Read more: Missouri Paycheck Tax Calculator: What Most People Get Wrong
- Trust: They are the guardians of the Obama legacy.
- Health: Anita influences how thousands of doctors are trained.
- Capital: Marty directs billions toward companies that provide essential services.
- Art: They are major collectors and donors, recently gifting a significant Julie Mehretu piece to the Zeitz MOCAA in Africa.
The "BFF" Factor
There is a funny story about Marty and Barack's relationship. Even after Obama became President, Marty was one of the few people who would still treat him like a regular guy on the basketball court. He didn't let the leader of the free world win just because he had the nuclear codes. That kind of groundedness is rare in D.C. circles.
The Nesbitts chose to stay in Chicago when the Obamas moved to Washington. They kept their home in Kenwood. They kept their kids in the same schools. That decision gave them a level of authenticity that many political consultants lose the second they get a security clearance. They are "Chicago" through and through.
The Philanthropic Blueprint
If you want to understand how they operate, look at their art collection. It’s not just about status symbols. Anita and Marty have spent over 35 years building a collection focused on the African diaspora. They don't just buy art; they support the artists. Their recent donation of Femenine in nine, part 6 to a museum in Cape Town shows they are thinking globally, not just locally.
They aren't just writing checks. They are active participants in the institutions they support. Whether it's the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago or the University of Chicago Laboratory School, their names are on the boards because they actually show up to the meetings.
💡 You might also like: Why Amazon Stock is Down Today: What Most People Get Wrong
What most people get wrong
People think being a "friend of the President" is about perks and fancy dinners. For Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt, it seems to be more about responsibility. Marty took on the headache of a multi-million dollar foundation. Anita stayed in the trenches of academic medicine and community health. They didn't cash out; they doubled down on their hometown.
Actionable Insights for Future Leaders
Looking at the trajectory of the Nesbitt-Blanchard family offers a few real-world lessons for anyone trying to build a legacy:
- Prioritize Long-Term Relationships: Their success is built on a friendship that started on a basketball court 30 years ago. Loyalty pays dividends that no investment portfolio can match.
- Diversify Your Impact: You don't have to choose between making money and doing good. Marty proves you can run a successful PE firm while Anita proves you can lead in medicine.
- Stay Rooted: Despite their global reach, they remain focused on the South Side of Chicago. Impact is often most effective when it starts in your own backyard.
- Influence Through Education: Anita’s focus on mentoring the next generation of doctors ensures her impact will last long after she retires from clinical practice.
The story of the Nesbitts isn't a political one, even if it has political cameos. It’s a story about what happens when two high-achieving people decide to use their influence to build up the community that raised them. They aren't just the people standing next to the President; they are the architects of a very specific, very intentional kind of American success.