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Quick Facts
- NAME: Michelle Obama
- OCCUPATION: Lawyer, U.S. First Lady
- BIRTH DATE: January 17, 1964 (Age: 49)
- EDUCATION: Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Princeton University, Harvard Law School
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Chicago, Illinois
- AKA: Michelle Obama
- Full Name: Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama
- Originally: Michelle LaVaughn Robinson
- ZODIAC SIGN: Capricorn
Best Known For
Michelle Obama is a lawyer, Chicago city administrator and community outreach worker, as well as the wife of U.S. President Barack Obama and the 44th first lady.
Videos see all videos
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Michelle Obama - First Sitting First Lady to Tweet on Twitter (0:21)
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Michelle Obama - First Sitting First Lady to Tweet on Twitter
Just before game one of the 2011 World Series, Michelle Obama became the first sitting First Lady to tweet on Twitter, when she sent out a message of support to military families. Video courtesy of the White House.
Michelle Obama - The White House Vegetable Garden
In the Spring of 2009, locale school children helped First Lady Michelle Obama plant the first White House garden since Eleanor Roosevelt's World War II Victory Garden. Video courtesy of the White House.
Michelle Obama - Mini Biography
A short biography of Michelle Obama, who rose up from her tough Chicago neighborhood to become a Princeton and Harvard alumni with a successful career, wife of Barack Obama, and eventually the first lady of the United States.
Nelson Mandela - Meeting with Michelle Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama spoke about meeting Nelson Mandela and his legacy while visiting Soweto, South Africa. Video courtesy of The White House.
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Play NowMichelle Obama. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 04:25, May 21, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592.
Michelle Obama. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592 [Accessed 21 May 2013].
"Michelle Obama." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 21 2013, 04:25 http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592.
"Michelle Obama," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592 [accessed May 21, 2013].
"Michelle Obama," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592 (accessed May 21, 2013).
Michelle Obama [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 21] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592.
Michelle Obama, http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592 (last visited May 21, 2013).
Michelle Obama. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592. Accessed May 21, 2013.
When her husband sought re-election in 2012, facing a challenging race against Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Michelle Obama diligently campaigned on his behalf. She traveled the country, giving talks and making public appearances. In June 2012, she spoke to a crowd in Philadelphia, telling them, "It all boils down to one simple question: Will we continue the change we've begun and the progress we've made,
Contents
or will we let everything we've fought for slip away?" She urged those in attendance to give "a little part of your life each week to this campaign."
In August 2012, Michelle delivered a noteworthy 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." She went on to praise the Latino community for supporting President Obama, and stated that her husband—"the same man [she] fell in love with all those years ago"—understands the American Dream, as well as the everyday struggles of American families, and cares deeply about making a difference in people's lives. Michelle won both public and critical praise for her narrative, called a "shining moment" by The Washington Post.
On November 6, 2012, Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as U.S. president. After Mitt Romney conceded defeat, Michelle Obama accompanied her husband with their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, onto the stage at the McCormick Place in Chicago where President Obama delivered his acceptance speech. To celebrate his victory, Barack Obama tweeted "Four more years" with a photo of him hugging his wife, which was taken at an August campaign event in Iowa. On election night, the presidential message with the photo of the first couple became the most popular tweet of all time.
Michelle Obama was by her husband's side the following January when he started his second term. She and the couple's two daughters Malia and Sasha stood with Barack Obama as he recited the official presidential oath of office on January 21, 2013, in front of the U.S. Capitol building. Michelle and the girls received a lot of attention for their inauguration fashions, which included clothes from Thom Browne, J. Crew and Kate Spade.
Later that day, Michelle Obama celebrated with her husband at several inaugural events. The first couple seemed on top of the world as they danced to Jennifer Hudson's rendition of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together." Michelle received raves for the red Jason Wu dress she wore.
Issues and Causes
As the 44th first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has focused her attention on issues such as the support of military families, helping working women balance career and family, and encouraging national service. During the first year of the Obama presidency, Michelle and her husband volunteered at homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the Washington, D.C., area. Michelle also has made appearances at public schools, stressing the importance of education and volunteer work.
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Famous Moms 27 people in this group
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Influential Women of Washington
View groupWhen the 19th Amendment was ratified, women were finally given the right to vote, and over the years many courageous women have stepped onto the national political stage as well. In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress and almost a century later Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina woman to serve on the Supreme Court. And within the last two decades, the esteemable Hillary Clinton has served as First Lady, a New York senator and Secretary of State. These women, and many more, are setting the stage for the future of female leaders in Washington.
Visit Biography.com's Women's History group to explore more biographies, photos and videos of some the world's most fascinating women."
Influential Women of Washington 73 people in this group
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U.S. First Ladies
View groupThe wives of U.S. presidents are often important American figures in their own right. Although they have no official responsibilities, first ladies are a highly visible part of U.S. government. The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries, from hostess of the White House to advocates for public policy. Learn about the different causes first ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama have championed over the years, from literacy to addiction to health care reform.
U.S. First Ladies 45 people in this group
