Michelle Obama is the wife of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. She was the first African American First Lady, serving from 2009 to 2017.
Early Life
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson was born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois. An excellent student, Michelle attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Chicago’s first magnet high school for gifted children.
After graduating high school, Obama attended Princeton University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. She went on to obtain her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1988. At Harvard, Michelle participated in demonstrations calling for the recruitment of more minority students and professors.
Marriage to Barak Obama
Michelle met Barak Obama when he came to work as a summer associate at her law firm, Sidley Austin. Michelle and Barak Obama married on October 3, 1992. They would go on to have two daughters Malia Ann (born 1998) and Natasha (known as Sasha, born 2001).
In 1993, Michelle left her law career to become executive director for the Chicago office of Public Allies, a nonprofit organization that helped young people develop the skills needed for public sector careers. Three years later, Michelle joined the University of Chicago as associate dean of student services. In 2002, Michelle was hired as the executive director of community relations and external affairs or the University of Chicago Hospitals. She was later appointed vice president for community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Barak Obama entered politics with his election to the Illinois state senate in 1996. Eight years later, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. As Barak Obama’s political aspirations grew, Michelle Obama stepped back from her own career to support his campaigns and care for their young daughters.
First Lady of the United States
Barak Obama was elected President in 2008. When he was sworn in on January 20, 2009, Michelle Obama became the first African American to serve as First Lady.
As First Lady, Michelle devoted her attention to social issues, such as poverty, healthy living and education. She also worked to support military members and their families. In January 2010, Obama launched an administration-wide initiative targeting childhood obesity, which she named “Let’s Move!” She also joined local schoolchildren in planting and harvesting a garden on the White House South Lawn. The vegetables and fruits were served at the White House and donated to soup kitchens and food banks.
Michelle played a significant role in Barak Obama’s reelection campaign, delivering speeches around the country. In September 2012, she gave a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. “Every day, the people I meet inspire me, every day they make me proud, every day they remind me how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on earth,” she said. “Serving as your first lady is an honor and a privilege.”
During her husband’s second term, Michelle Obama led the Reach Higher Initiative, which aimed to help students understand job opportunities and the education and skills they need for those jobs. On the world stage, she championed the education of girls and women.
Post-White House Life
Michelle Obama’s popularity has continued since leaving the White House. In 2020, she was the most admired woman in America in Gallop’s annual poll, a title she also held the two years prior. Despite speculation that might run for public office, Michelle Obama has repeatedly stated that has no political aspirations. In 2018, Michele Obama published a memoir, entitled “Becoming.”
