Barack Obama celebrates opening of his presidential centre in Chicago

Former US President Barack Obama, joined by three former US presidents, celebrated the opening of his presidential center in Chicago in an extraordinary event which brought together world leaders, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures.

Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters were seated on stage with former US presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Former US Vice President Kamala Harris was also in attendance. US President Donald Trump was not in attendance.

He called the $850 million center a "total disaster" in a social media post in February. In a speech towards the end of the ceremony, Obama spoke of his early days in public service when he first moved to Chicago and the "abiding faith" he felt possessed by to "build an America where everyone counts and everyone has a fair shot and everyone belongs." The center, located near where Obama lived and began his political career, is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors annually.