She was the girl from the Southside of Chicago who took on a role she didn’t ask for. But like President Obama likes to say, she took that role and made it her own.
It’s why we adore Michelle Obama, our first African-American First Lady, and why we strive to personify the fearlessness, the grace and the purpose she embodies by just existing in the White House. And beyond her presence — one that captivates whole rooms and has inspired a generation— Michelle Obama’s dedication to this country and her work in the White House is a model of what it means to truly be an American.
Fashion Icon. Mother. Intellectual. Sister. Friend. Here are the reasons we love First Lady Michelle Obama.
01
The First Lady!
While promoting her Reach Higher initiative, a campaign encouraging higher education, she admitted that she would be happy being Beyonce. While we think that’s totally understandable (who wouldn’t want to be Queen Bey?!), we’re glad that FLOTUS is FLOTUS.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
02
She Has A Sense of Humor
“I’m kind of sarcastic, and I’ve felt my sense of humor subjugated on some level,” Mrs. O. told VanityFair in 2007. “My husband loves my sense of humor, and we tease each other mercilessly,” she added. Need proof? Just check out any of her legendary moments (who can forget her “mom dancing” on Jimmy Fallon?).
03
She Stands by POTUS
She has supported her husband, President Barack Obama, throughout his career. “My support for my husband comes straight from my motherhood bones,” said Mrs. O. in an ABC News interview.
04
She’s an Animal Lover
Portuguese water dog Bo has become a part of the First Family. “He’s got a great life,” the First Lady told ABC News’ Barbara Walters.
05
She Shows Up When We Need Her To
When Chicago teen Hadiya Pendleton was tragically killed days after attending President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, Mrs. Obama flew to Chicago to attend her funeral. “Hadiya Pendleton was me, and I was her,” she said.
06
She’s an Advocate for Healthy Living
She planted an organic garden at the White House to nourish her family, and, in turn, inspired the country. She has also sponsored initiatives such as Get Fit, which encourages young people to stay active and lead a healthier lifestyle.
07
She’s an Unofficial Ambassador
What better person to represent the United States overseas than Michelle Obama?
08
She’s A Good Sport
The First Lady loves to try new things. Imagine the excitement of middle school students at Alice Deal Middle School in Washington, D.C. getting to see Mrs. O. dance “the Dougie”.
09
She’s Effortlessly Chic
She doesn’t wear fur. Her makeup is always elegant, from her defined brow, soft lip gloss and neutral blush, she is forever stunning.
10
She Leads by Example
Whether working out with students or planting seeds in a garden, the First Lady is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get to work.
11
She’s Not Judgmental of Other Women’s Choices
“Women should have the freedom to do whatever they need to do to feel good about themselves,” she told People when asked about plastic surgery. “Right now, I don’t imagine that I would go that route, but I’ve also learned to never say never.”
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12
She Has “Off” Hair Days
On her vacations in Hawaii, the First Lady loves to slick her hair back in a bun to combat the island humidity, like a real woman.
13
She’s Bold
The First Lady is not afraid to bare arms.
14
She Inspires Girls…
With initiatives like Let Girls Learn, young girls now know the sky is the limit, thanks to women like Michelle Obama.
15
All Over the World
It’s not just American women that Mrs. Obama inspires. It’s women all over the world, like the young women she met at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2011.
16
She Stays Close to Family
The First Lady says older brother, University of Oregon basketball head coach Craig Robinson, is one of her closest friends.
17
She Shines Too
Mrs. Obama proves women can marry a dynamic man and not live in his shadow.
18
She’s Incredibly Smart
A Princeton and Harvard graduate, Mrs. Obama is one of the most educated First Ladies.
19
She’s A Good Girlfriend
Her friendships with Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are inspirational. Mrs. Obama recently celebrated her 50th birthday hiking with Oprah and Gayle at Oprah’s Maui estate.
20
She’s Committed to Her Causes
Whether it’s fighting against childhood obesity through her “Let’s Move!” initiative, or being an advocate for the rights of military families, the First Lady is genuinely committed to her causes.
21
She’s A Mother, First
Mrs. Obama considers herself the “Mom-in-Chief” and spends quality time with her daughters. “The first priority is to make sure that my kids have their heads on straight,” she said in 2007. “They are great and they are stable and they are confident, and I want to make sure they stay that way.”
22
Her Endorsements Make Careers
Mrs Obama’s support of young fashion designers like Jason Wu (who designed her first inaugural night dress) and Thakoon Panichgul has catapulted their names into the mainstream.
23
She’s Not Afraid of A Little PDA
Mrs. Obama has an intimate relationship with her husband, even in public.
24
She Has A Real Woman’s Body
The First Lady has a figure every woman can relate to, and she wears it well.
25
She Comforts A Nation
Whether supporting those in need after natural disasters or the troops, Mrs. Obama is always there to lend an ear.
26
She Shows Her Daughters the World
Mrs. Obama has taken her girls to Spain, South America and Southern Africa, ensuring that they will become global citizens.
27
She’s Championing A Movement
With her gardening initiatives, Mrs. Obama is teaching a generation to be self-sufficient.
28
She Pampers Herself
We love that, when they lived in Chicago, Mrs. O had a standing Friday manicure appointment right before her weekly date with her husband.
29
She’s On, Like Every Social Network!
A collective “Yay!” could be heard when the First Lady joined Instagram in June 2013. She’s already active on Twitter and Facebook. Here, in her first Instagram she wrote, “My first instagram! So inspired and so impressed by these extraordinary young women.”
Instagram
30
She Loves A Good Bargain
We love that Mrs. Obama mixes high-end with low-end, like this $34 H&M dress she wore on the Today show in 2011.
31
She’s Relatable
Like the aunties and older sisters we grew up around, Michelle Obama is someone we can identify with.
32
The President Is Clearly Smitten
Our President can’t keep his eyes off his lovely wife.
33
She’s A Trendsetter
Whatever Mrs. Obama wears has us drooling and secretly trying to emulate her style. Her choice to wear a Marc by Marc Jacobs Simone Striped Dress in March 2011 made the dress one of the most coveted of the year.
34
She Keeps Us Motivated
From her “Let’s Move’ campaign to her exemplary ways as a mother and wife, the First Lady makes us want to do and be better.
35
She’s A Hair Icon
Mrs. Obama brought the bob back!
36
She Represents Us
We beam with pride each time Mrs. Obama goes on a foreign trip because we know she represents us so well.
37
She Stays Fit and Fabulous
Healthy living isn’t just a campaign slogan for Mrs. Obama, it’s a way of life.
38
She Keeps the First Family Together
President Obama has often said he wouldn’t be half the man he is without his wife’s guidance.
39
She Speaks Her Mind
You will not interrupt Michelle Obama during a speech. When an activist heckled her at a private fundraiser in Washington D.C. in June 2013, Mrs. Obama confronted her, saying, “One of the things I don’t do well is this,” before walking off the stage.
40
She Experiments with Different ‘Dos
For her 49th birthday, Mrs. Obama tried bangs but decided they just weren’t for her. “It’s hard to make speeches with hair in your face!” she told Parade.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
41
She’s Confident
Mrs. Obama’s confidence is sexy and beautiful.
42
She Makes Anything Look Good
From designer pieces to $30 dresses, Mrs. Obama makes any outfit she chooses look oh-so-amazing.
President Obama is said to consult his wife on everything, even policy matters.
45
Her First Rap Was #1 on the Charts
In December 2015, Michelle O made a college-themed rap song with SNL comedian Jay Pharoah called “Go to College.” What happened next? The track hit number 1 on the Billboard charts. Will there be a follow-up on attending grad school?
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46
She’s Looking Forward to 80
“I want to be this really fly 80-, 90-year old,” she told Parade, adding that she plans to achieve this by staying healthy.
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
47
She’s One of Us
Mrs. Obama’s beauty reflects what we see in the mirror, not what we see on TV and movies, and we love that.
48
She’s Beautiful Inside and Out
Her beauty and grace feel timeless.
49
She Plans on Being An Awesome Grandma, Like Her Mom Marian Robinson
“I want to be the grandma that my mom has been,” she told People. “What if Malia has this great career and a new baby, and she doesn’t feel comfortable putting her child in child care? If I have the time, yes, I’d love to be able to pitch in…I want to be that grandma.”
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
50
She’s Encouraging Her Girls to Be Independent
“What I tell my kids is, I’m preparing you for college and for life,” she told Parade. “So, having independence, knowing how to set your own boundaries, figuring out how to make that balance.”
Leigh Vogel/WireImage
51
She’s Taking Up Yoga…In Her 50s
The First Lady announced she was ready to tweak her workout when she turned 51. “I’m seeing myself shift from weight-bearing stuff—even though that continues to be important—and the heavy cardio and running, to things like yoga that will keep me flexible,” she told People.
52
She’s Ready for The Next Phase Of Her Life
“I will be in my early 50s when I leave here, and I have so much more that I should do,” she told People. “I don’t have the right to just sit on my talents or blessings. I’ve got to keep figuring out ways to have an impact — whether as a mother or as a professional or as a mentor to other kids.”