1
With "Joining Forces," she supported military families and veterans, and through "Reach Higher" and "Let Girls Learn," she promoted access to education for young people in the United States and around the world.
2
She studied sociology and African American studies at Princeton University, graduating in 1985, and then went on to Harvard Law School, where she earned her law degree in 1988.
3
During her time in the White House, she developed several important initiatives. Through "Let's Move!" she encouraged children to eat healthily and stay active, even planting a vegetable garden on the South Lawn.
4
Her father worked as a pump operator at the city's water plant, while her mother stayed at home to raise the children.
5
It was there, in 1989, that she met a summer associate named Barack Obama, who would later become her husband and, eventually, the 44th President of the United States.
6
In January 2009, when Barack Obama took office, Michelle became the First Lady of the United States, a position she held until 2017. She made history as the first African American woman to hold this role.
7
After leaving the White House, Michelle Obama remained a prominent public figure. In 2018, she published her memoir, Becoming, which became an international bestseller and inspired millions of readers with her personal story.
8
She has continued to work on causes related to education, health, and women's empowerment, and she is widely admired as a role model, known for her intelligence, warmth, and dedication to public service.
9
After finishing her studies, she returned to Chicago and began working as a junior associate at the law firm Sidley & Austin, specializing in intellectual property law.
10
Michelle proved to be an excellent student from an early age.
11
She grew up on the South Side of the city with her parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson, and her older brother, Craig.
12
Although the family did not have much money, Michelle's parents strongly believed in the importance of education, and this value shaped the rest of her life.
13
Michelle Obama was born Michelle LaVaughn Robinson on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois.
