Michelle Obama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michelle Obama
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Official portrait, 2013
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| First Lady of the United States | |
| In role January 20, 2009 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Laura Bush |
| Succeeded by | Melania Trump |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson
January 17, 1964 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Parents | |
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| Education | |
| Signature |  |
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama (born January 17, 1964) is an American lawyer and author. She was the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She is married to Barack Obama, who was the 44th president of the United States.
Michelle grew up on the South Side of Chicago. She went to Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Early in her career, she worked at a law firm where she met Barack Obama. She also worked for non-profit groups and at the University of Chicago.
As First Lady, Michelle Obama worked to help people in need. She also promoted education, healthy eating, and physical activity. She has written three books, including her best-selling memoir Becoming (2018).
Contents
Her Family and Early Life
Growing Up in Chicago
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 17, 1964. Her father, Fraser Robinson III, worked for the city water plant. Her mother, Marian Shields Robinson, was a secretary. Michelle's mother stayed home full-time until Michelle started high school.
Michelle's family has roots in the Southern United States. Her ancestors on her father's side were Gullah people from South Carolina. Her great-great-grandfather, Jim Robinson, was born into slavery in 1850. He became free at age 15 after the American Civil War.
Michelle grew up in a "conventional" home. She lived with her parents and older brother, Craig, on the second floor of a house. They enjoyed playing games, reading, and visiting family. Michelle learned to play piano from her great-aunt.
School Days
Michelle's father had multiple sclerosis, a serious illness. This made her determined to do well in school. In sixth grade, she joined a special class for gifted students. She went to Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, a top school in Chicago.
The trip to school took three hours each day. Michelle worked hard and was on the honor roll for four years. She was also a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated in 1981 as the second-highest ranked student in her class.
College and Law School
Michelle followed her brother to Princeton University in 1981. She studied sociology and African-American studies. She graduated in 1985. Some teachers had told her not to aim too high for college. But she was determined to prove herself.
At Princeton, Michelle felt more aware of her race. She said she felt "like a visitor on campus." She also noticed differences in wealth among students. She worked at a center that supported minority students.
After Princeton, Michelle went to Harvard Law School. She earned her law degree in 1988. At Harvard, she helped low-income families with housing cases. Michelle Obama is one of the few First Ladies to have a postgraduate degree. She later said her education opened up many opportunities for her.
Her Own Family
Michelle's father, Fraser, passed away in 1991. This loss made her think about how she was helping society. She decided to make a change from her law firm job.
She met Barack Obama at the law firm Sidley Austin. She was assigned to help him when he was a summer intern. Their first date was to a movie. They married on October 3, 1992. They have two daughters, Malia Ann (born 1998) and Natasha, known as Sasha (born 2001).
The Obamas lived on Chicago's South Side. Barack taught at the University of Chicago Law School. He was elected to the state senate in 1996 and the U.S. Senate in 2004. They decided to stay in Chicago for their daughters.
During Barack's 2008 presidential campaign, Michelle made sure to be home for her daughters. She traveled to campaign events only two days a week. Michelle's mother, Marian Robinson, moved into the White House to help care for the girls.
Her Faith
Michelle Obama grew up United Methodist. She later joined the Trinity United Church of Christ. She and Barack Obama were married there. In 2008, they left the church because of some controversial statements made by the pastor.
After moving to Washington D.C., the Obama family attended different Protestant churches. Michelle Obama has encouraged people to use their faith to support social issues. She believes these issues are about "human dignity and human potential."
Her Career Path
After law school, Michelle Obama worked at the law firm Sidley & Austin. She worked on marketing and intellectual property law. She stopped practicing law in 1993.
In 1991, she worked for the city government in Chicago. She helped the mayor and worked in planning. In 1993, she became the executive director of Public Allies in Chicago. This group helps young people work on social issues. She loved this job and helped the organization raise a lot of money.
In 1996, Michelle became the associate dean of student services at the University of Chicago. She created the university's Community Service Center. In 2002, she started working for the University of Chicago Hospitals. She became vice president for community and external affairs in 2005.
She continued this job during her husband's 2008 presidential campaign. She worked part-time to spend more time with her daughters and help with the campaign. She later took a break from her job.
In 2021, Michelle Obama said she was "moving toward retirement." She still takes part in political campaigns but is reducing her work to spend more time with her husband.
Barack Obama's Campaigns
Early Campaigns
Michelle Obama was at first unsure about her husband's political career. She knew it would mean their lives would be watched closely. She is a very private person.
She helped with her husband's campaigns by shaking hands and raising money. But she did not enjoy it much at first. After her husband lost a congressional race in 2000, she wanted him to focus on their family's finances.
2008 Presidential Campaign
Michelle had concerns about her husband running for president. She worried about how it would affect their daughters. She said she agreed to support him if he quit smoking. She stated her role was not to be a "senior adviser."
In May 2007, Michelle reduced her work hours by 80 percent. This allowed her to support the campaign. She started with limited involvement, but her participation grew a lot by early 2008. She made many appearances with Oprah Winfrey. She wrote her own speeches and spoke without notes.
During the campaign, some people tried to portray Michelle Obama negatively. She said she and Barack had "thick skin" and took criticism "in stride." By August 2008, her public image had softened. She focused on connecting with people and showing empathy. She also started wearing more casual clothes.
At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Michelle gave a speech. She talked about her family living the American Dream. She said she and her husband believe in hard work and treating people with respect. She also emphasized her love for her country. Her speech was well-received. A poll found that her popularity among Americans reached 55%.
2012 Re-election Campaign
Michelle Obama campaigned for her husband's re-election in 2012. She became more politically active than she had been since 2008. By this time, she had a more open public image. Many saw her as the most popular person in the Obama administration. Her approval ratings stayed above 60%.
She aimed to show her husband's human side by sharing stories about him. This was meant to appeal to female voters. Michelle Obama's popularity remained higher than Ann Romney's, the wife of the Republican candidate.
First Lady of the United States (2009–2017)
As First Lady, Michelle Obama visited homeless shelters and soup kitchens. She also encouraged public service. She supported her husband's policies, like the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Some people liked her involvement in politics, while others thought she should be less involved.
Michelle Obama made supporting military families a personal goal. She was often moved by their stories of sacrifice. In 2012 and 2015, she and her husband received an award for helping homeless veterans.
In her memoir, Becoming, Michelle Obama describes her four main projects as First Lady:
- Let's Move!
- Reach Higher
- Let Girls Learn
- Joining Forces
In November 2013, some critics said Michelle Obama was not doing enough for women's issues. But her supporters pointed out that she was one of the only people in the administration to address obesity. She did this by promoting healthy eating habits.
In May 2014, Michelle Obama joined the campaign to bring back school girls who had been kidnapped in Nigeria. She tweeted a picture of herself holding a sign with the #bringbackourgirls hashtag.
Throughout her time as First Lady, people wondered if Michelle Obama would run for president. But she always said she had "no intention of running for office, ever." She felt that politics was not for her.
Let's Move!
Michelle Obama continued the work of past First Ladies by supporting healthy eating. She planted the White House Kitchen Garden, an organic garden. This was the first vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt's time. The garden provided fresh food for the First Family and official events.
In 2010, Michelle Obama launched her main project, "Let's Move!" Its goal was to help reduce childhood obesity. She wanted this effort to be her legacy. Her 2012 book, American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America, shares her experiences with the garden and promotes healthy eating.
Some politicians criticized her initiative. They argued that the government should not be involved in people's eating habits.
Supporting LGBT Rights
During the 2008 campaign, Michelle Obama spoke about her husband's support for LGBT rights. She mentioned his support for laws that protect against discrimination. She also supported repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This policy prevented openly gay people from serving in the military.
On May 9, 2012, Barack and Michelle Obama publicly supported same-sex marriage. Michelle said it was about "fairness and equality." She believed that discriminating against same-sex couples was not right.
Travels in the U.S.
In May 2009, Michelle Obama gave a speech at UC Merced in California. Students praised her speech. In August 2013, she attended the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Her dress for the event received positive attention.
In March 2015, Michelle traveled to Selma, Alabama, with her family. They marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches. The Obamas joined original marchers in crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Trips Abroad
In April 2009, Michelle Obama met Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. She embraced the Queen, which caused some discussion about royal rules. However, palace sources said no rules were broken.
In April 2010, Michelle Obama made her first solo trip to another country, Mexico. She encouraged students there to take charge of their futures. She said that "potential can be found in some of the most unlikely places."
In March 2014, Michelle Obama visited China with her daughters and mother. She met with Peng Liyuan, the wife of the Chinese president. They visited historical sites and schools. This trip showed that the relationship between the U.S. and China is also about people, not just leaders.
In January 2015, Michelle Obama traveled to Saudi Arabia with her husband. She received some criticism for not covering her head. However, she was defended because she was a foreigner.
In June 2015, she visited London and Italy. In London, she spoke with students about education for girls. She also met with the British prime minister and Prince Harry. In March 2016, she went to Cuba and Argentina with her family. These trips aimed to improve relations with those countries.
Campaigning for Others
Michelle Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in the 2010 midterm elections. Her approval rating was much higher than her husband's at the time. She toured seven states in two weeks in October 2010. She avoided political arguments and focused on encouraging voters.
She also participated in the 2014 midterm elections. She was very popular, and Democrats wanted her to campaign for them. She encouraged people to vote and stressed the importance of participating in elections.
Supporting Hillary Clinton in 2016
Michelle Obama supported Hillary Clinton for president in 2016. She gave powerful speeches, including one at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. On October 13, 2016, she strongly criticized Donald Trump for comments he made in a 2005 recording.
Public Image and Style
Michelle Obama became a well-known public figure. She was listed among "25 of the World's Most Inspiring Women" by Essence. Vanity Fair also listed her among "10 of the World's Best Dressed People."
Many saw her as a positive role model for African-American women. Her fashion choices became very influential. She often wore sleeveless dresses and clothes from various designers, including affordable brands. Her style was called "fashion populist."
Michelle Obama appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine three times while First Lady. She was also the first woman to appear on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens in 48 years. In 2013, she became the first First Lady to announce an Oscar winner.
Some critics felt the media focused too much on her fashion instead of her important work. However, she remained very popular. From 2018 to 2020, she was named the "most admired woman" in the U.S. in a Gallup poll. In 2020, Time magazine named her the Woman of the Year for 2008.
Historians and scholars have also rated Michelle Obama highly. In a 2020 survey, she was ranked as the 3rd-best First Lady out of 40.
After the White House (2017–Present)
After leaving the White House, Michelle Obama continued to be active. In May 2017, she spoke out against changes to school lunch nutrition standards. She also encouraged tech companies to hire more women.
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In April 2018, she again said she would not run for president. She stated she did not have a "passion for politics." On January 20, 2021, she and her husband attended the inauguration of Joe Biden.
In 2021, she was added to the National Women's Hall of Fame. On September 11, 2021, the Obamas attended a memorial for the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In April 2023, she joined Bruce Springsteen on stage during a concert in Barcelona.
2024 U.S. Presidential Election
In March 2024, Michelle Obama's office announced she would not be running for president in the 2024 United States presidential election. A poll in July 2024 showed that she was a very popular figure.
In August 2024, Michelle Obama gave a powerful speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. She then introduced her husband, former president Barack Obama.
Becoming
Michelle Obama's memoir, Becoming, was released in November 2018. By November 2019, it had sold 11.5 million copies. A documentary about her book tour, also called Becoming, was released on Netflix in May 2020. She won a Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording in 2020 for the audiobook version.
Podcasts
In July 2020, she started a podcast called The Michelle Obama Podcast. In 2023, she launched Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, based on her 2022 book. In March 2025, she launched a new podcast called IMO with her brother Craig Robinson.
Film and Television
Michelle Obama has made guest appearances on TV shows like iCarly and Parks and Recreation. She was also an executive producer and presenter for a children's cooking show called Waffles + Mochi, released on Netflix in March 2021. She has also produced other films and TV series.
The Light We Carry
Michelle Obama's second book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times, was published in November 2022. She received an Emmy nomination in 2023 for a Netflix documentary based on this book.
The Look
In June 2025, Michelle Obama announced she would release a book called The Look in November 2025. This book will be about how her style has changed over time.
Awards and Honors
In November 2023, Michelle Obama was named to the BBC's 100 Women list.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Grammy Awards | Best Spoken Word Album | Becoming | Won | |
| 2023 | Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording | The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times | Won | ||
| 2023 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special | The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey | Nominated |
Fun Facts About Michelle Obama
- She was the first African American First Lady of the United States.
- Her brother Craig is only 21 months older than her. People sometimes thought they were twins when they were growing up.
- Michelle Obama served as a role model for women.
- She worked to raise awareness about poverty, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating.
- Michelle Obama started the Let's Move! campaign. This was to help stop childhood obesity in the United States.
- She supported American designers and was seen as a fashion icon.
- Michelle skipped second grade in school.
- Michelle Obama doesn't like the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” She believes you keep growing, changing, learning, and doing different things even as an adult.
Famous Quotes by Michelle Obama
- "I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them."
- "When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high."
- "Strong men, men who are truly role models, don't need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful."
- "Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude."
- "Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own."
See also
In Spanish: Michelle Obama para niños
