Ann Dunham Soetoro ( November 29 , 1942 - November 7 , 1995 ) was an American anthropologist . She is best known as the mother of US President ( elect ) Barack Obama . Stanley Ann Dunham ( November 29 , 1942 -- November 7 , 1995 ) , the mother of Barack Obama , the 44th President of the United States , was an American anthropologist who specialized in economic anthropology and rural development .