In fact, he played a significant role in Obama’s developmental years during their time in Indonesia.
By the early 1960s, Soetoro was working as a geographer for the Indonesian National Army.
He then moved to Hawaii to pursue a master’s degree in the same field.
Dunham had already given birth to Obama, who was two years old at the time of their meeting.
Dunham and Soetoro’s relationship quickly blossomed, and by 1965, they were married.
At just six years old, this marked the start of a new chapter in young Obama’s life.
He also taught Obama how to fend off bullies and shared gruesome stories from his time in the military.
He often stressed the importance of strength, once telling Obama, “Better to be strong.
But always better to be strong yourself.
However, their family dynamic grew strained, partly due to Soetoro’s influence on young Obama.
His cold-blooded worldview conflicted with Dunham’s idealistic outlook, which brought her to Indonesia in the first place.
So, in 1971, she sent Obamaback to Hawaiito continue his education.
This marked a turning point in the couple’s relationship, and they ultimately divorced in 1980.
Soetoro later remarried and had additional children before passing away from liver failure in 1987.
