Barack and Michelle Obama.Photo:Michelle Obama/Twitter
Michelle Obama/Twitter
Former First LadyMichelle Obama(née Robinson)has come a long way from her days as a child on the South Side of Chicago to best-selling author, health and education advocate and wife of former U.S. presidentBarack Obama.To prove it, we’ve shared some of the best snapshots of Michelle’s early years with her family, as well as some throwback photos of her on the campus of Princeton University, in the White House and intimate moments with Barack andtheir two daughters.Ahead are some of our favorite pictures of Michelle before she became FLOTUS and the inspiring woman she’s known and beloved today.
Former First LadyMichelle Obama(née Robinson)has come a long way from her days as a child on the South Side of Chicago to best-selling author, health and education advocate and wife of former U.S. presidentBarack Obama.
To prove it, we’ve shared some of the best snapshots of Michelle’s early years with her family, as well as some throwback photos of her on the campus of Princeton University, in the White House and intimate moments with Barack andtheir two daughters.
Ahead are some of our favorite pictures of Michelle before she became FLOTUS and the inspiring woman she’s known and beloved today.
01of 20Sweet SmilesMichelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson.Michelle Obama InstagramIn 2019, Michelle posted aphoto of herself as a young girlwith brotherCraig Robinson.She captioned the snap of her smiling, “When I think back to my childhood, I remember moments like this with my brother Craig. We grew up on the South Side of Chicago, in a diverse and changing neighborhood, hanging out with friends from all backgrounds.”
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Sweet Smiles
Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson.Michelle Obama Instagram
Michelle Obama Instagram
In 2019, Michelle posted aphoto of herself as a young girlwith brotherCraig Robinson.
She captioned the snap of her smiling, “When I think back to my childhood, I remember moments like this with my brother Craig. We grew up on the South Side of Chicago, in a diverse and changing neighborhood, hanging out with friends from all backgrounds.”
02of 20Hanging with MomMichelle Obama and her mother Marian Robinson.Michelle Obama Instagram"Your unconditional love has made me who I am today. You are my rock. My ❤️. I’ll always be your Miche. I love you," Michellewrote on Instagramin 2017, dedicating this snuggly throwback to her mother,Marian Robinson.
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Hanging with Mom
Michelle Obama and her mother Marian Robinson.Michelle Obama Instagram
“Your unconditional love has made me who I am today. You are my rock. My ❤️. I’ll always be your Miche. I love you,” Michellewrote on Instagramin 2017, dedicating this snuggly throwback to her mother,Marian Robinson.
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Daddy’s Girl
Michelle Obama with her father, Fraser Robinson, and brother Craig Robinson.Michelle Obama Instagram
Check out those pigtails! Michelle shared athrowback snap with her late father, Fraser C. Robinson III, and brother Craig in 2019. Fraser, who worked at a Chicago water filtration plant, died in 1991 at the age of 55 due to complications of multiple sclerosis. Michelle was 27 years old at the time.
04of 20Family TimeMichelle Obama with her mother, Marian Robinson, and brother Craig Robinson.Michelle Obama InstagramOnMother’s Day2018, Michelle posted a photo of herself and her big brotherposing with their momon the couch.“It’s impossible for any picture to truly capture what my mother, Marian, has meant to me,” she wrote.
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Family Time
Michelle Obama with her mother, Marian Robinson, and brother Craig Robinson.Michelle Obama Instagram
OnMother’s Day2018, Michelle posted a photo of herself and her big brotherposing with their momon the couch.
“It’s impossible for any picture to truly capture what my mother, Marian, has meant to me,” she wrote.
05of 20Candid MomentsMichelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson.Michelle Obama InstagramIn honor of National Siblings Day in 2019, Michelleshared a pic of her brotherwith a baseball bat.She captioned the outdoor photo, “For as long as I can remember, my big brother Craig has always had my back. He’s still one of my best friends today. Thanks for always coming out swinging for me, Craig!”
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Candid Moments
In honor of National Siblings Day in 2019, Michelleshared a pic of her brotherwith a baseball bat.
She captioned the outdoor photo, “For as long as I can remember, my big brother Craig has always had my back. He’s still one of my best friends today. Thanks for always coming out swinging for me, Craig!”
06of 20Chicago CutieMichelle Obama.Michelle Obama InstagramMichelleposted a Polaroidfrom 1970 of herself as a kid hanging out in her hometown of Chicago and wearing an adorable striped top.“Chicago made me who I am,” the South Side native wrote.
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Chicago Cutie
Michelle Obama.Michelle Obama Instagram
Michelleposted a Polaroidfrom 1970 of herself as a kid hanging out in her hometown of Chicago and wearing an adorable striped top.
“Chicago made me who I am,” the South Side native wrote.
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Sibling Love
“He’s always there for my mom, for his wife, and especially for his children,” Michelle captionedtwo photos of herself with Craig. “No matter what he’s got going on, he’s always making sure those around him know they’re loved.”
08of 20Quality TimeMichelle Obama and her parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson.Michelle Obama InstagramMichelle proved she was her mom’s mini-me when she shared a throwback photo in 2018 of the twowearing similar pink nightgowns. Her late father is pictured next to them.“My father, Fraser, taught me to work hard, laugh often, and keep my word. My mother, Marian, showed me how to think for myself and to use my voice,” she wrote alongside the image. “Together, in our cramped apartment on the South Side of Chicago, my family helped me see the value in our story, in my story, and in the larger story of our country.”
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Quality Time
Michelle Obama and her parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson.Michelle Obama Instagram
Michelle proved she was her mom’s mini-me when she shared a throwback photo in 2018 of the twowearing similar pink nightgowns. Her late father is pictured next to them.
“My father, Fraser, taught me to work hard, laugh often, and keep my word. My mother, Marian, showed me how to think for myself and to use my voice,” she wrote alongside the image. “Together, in our cramped apartment on the South Side of Chicago, my family helped me see the value in our story, in my story, and in the larger story of our country.”
09of 20Picture DayMichelle Obama / InstagramLook at that megawatt smile! Michelle shared aphoto of herself from grade schoolto raise awareness about the importance of education.“I learned a lot in school — how to do my multiplication tables and structure a paragraph, yes, but also how to push myself, be a good friend, and dust myself off after a failure,” she wrote in 2019.
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Picture Day
Michelle Obama / Instagram
Look at that megawatt smile! Michelle shared aphoto of herself from grade schoolto raise awareness about the importance of education.
“I learned a lot in school — how to do my multiplication tables and structure a paragraph, yes, but also how to push myself, be a good friend, and dust myself off after a failure,” she wrote in 2019.
10of 20Prom QueenMichelle Obama / Instagram"Throwing it back to my 1982 prom night and this pink satin, polka-dotted dress," Michellecaptioned a picof herself with her prom date.We’d definitely vote her Prom Queen.
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Prom Queen
“Throwing it back to my 1982 prom night and this pink satin, polka-dotted dress,” Michellecaptioned a picof herself with her prom date.
We’d definitely vote her Prom Queen.
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First Day Jitters
Kenny Bruce
“I can still remember the mix of excitement, hope, anxiety, and fear that accompanied me everywhere I went during my first year of college,” she said in a statement. “If I could tell the girl in this photo one thing, it would be to slow down and take a breath — you’ve got this.”
12of 20Too Cool for SchoolMichelle Obama at Princeton.Michelle Obama InstagramMichelle reflected on how “scary” it was for her as a first-generation college student when she shared anotherphoto of herself on Princeton’s campusfrom the early ’80s.“I was black and from a working-class neighborhood in Chicago, while Princeton’s student body was generally white and well-to-do. I’d never stood out in a crowd or a classroom because of the color of my skin before,” she captioned the photo before adding that she “found close friends and a mentor” who gave her the confidence to be herself.
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Too Cool for School
Michelle Obama at Princeton.Michelle Obama Instagram
Michelle reflected on how “scary” it was for her as a first-generation college student when she shared anotherphoto of herself on Princeton’s campusfrom the early ’80s.
“I was black and from a working-class neighborhood in Chicago, while Princeton’s student body was generally white and well-to-do. I’d never stood out in a crowd or a classroom because of the color of my skin before,” she captioned the photo before adding that she “found close friends and a mentor” who gave her the confidence to be herself.
13of 20Power CoupleMichelle Obama / Twitter.Michelle met Barack in 1989 when she was assigned to be her future husband’s mentor at Sidley Austin, a law firm in Chicago. Barack was a summer associate at the time. That same year, they alsowent out on their first date, chronicled in the 2016 filmSouthside with You.“We spent the whole day together,” Michelle said,perThe Washington Post.According to the outlet, they went to the Art Institute of Chicago, ate lunch in the museum’s courtyard, had a drink on the 99th floor of the John Hancock building, sawSpike Lee’sDo the Right Thingand took a long walk down Michigan Avenue.
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Power Couple
Michelle Obama / Twitter.
Michelle met Barack in 1989 when she was assigned to be her future husband’s mentor at Sidley Austin, a law firm in Chicago. Barack was a summer associate at the time. That same year, they alsowent out on their first date, chronicled in the 2016 filmSouthside with You.
“We spent the whole day together,” Michelle said,perThe Washington Post.
According to the outlet, they went to the Art Institute of Chicago, ate lunch in the museum’s courtyard, had a drink on the 99th floor of the John Hancock building, sawSpike Lee’sDo the Right Thingand took a long walk down Michigan Avenue.
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Better Together
Michelle and Barack Obama.Michelle Obama Instagram
15of 20Wedding BellsMichelle and Barack Obama on their wedding day.Michelle Obama InstagramThe two lovebirds tied the knot on Oct. 3, 1992, at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Michelle’s brother, Craig, walked her down the aisle, and Barack’s brother was his best man. According toSlate, for their first dance as husband and wife, the couple choseStevie Wonder’s “You and I.““I think it’s fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me,” Barack said in 2009 when he presented Wonder with the Library of Congress Gershwin Award,per CNN. “We might not have married. The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship.“On their 21st anniversary, Barack posted ablack-and-white photoof his new bride from their wedding day, paying homage to their first dance song with this simple caption: “You and I.”
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Wedding Bells
Michelle and Barack Obama on their wedding day.Michelle Obama Instagram
The two lovebirds tied the knot on Oct. 3, 1992, at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Michelle’s brother, Craig, walked her down the aisle, and Barack’s brother was his best man. According toSlate, for their first dance as husband and wife, the couple choseStevie Wonder’s “You and I.”
“I think it’s fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me,” Barack said in 2009 when he presented Wonder with the Library of Congress Gershwin Award,per CNN. “We might not have married. The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship.”
On their 21st anniversary, Barack posted ablack-and-white photoof his new bride from their wedding day, paying homage to their first dance song with this simple caption: “You and I.”
16of 20Happily MarriedMichelle and Barack Obama on their wedding day.Michelle Obama InstagramJust a few years later on their 25th anniversary, Michelle returned the favor, sharing an adorablethrowback from her weddingand revealing how Barack had a nasty head cold on their big day. However, when they met at the altar, his cold “miraculously disappeared.” She also added they danced “almost all night.““Twenty five years later, we’re still having fun, while also doing the hard work to build our partnership and support each other as individuals. I can’t imagine going on this wild ride with anybody else,” Michelle wrote.
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Happily Married
Just a few years later on their 25th anniversary, Michelle returned the favor, sharing an adorablethrowback from her weddingand revealing how Barack had a nasty head cold on their big day. However, when they met at the altar, his cold “miraculously disappeared.” She also added they danced “almost all night.”
“Twenty five years later, we’re still having fun, while also doing the hard work to build our partnership and support each other as individuals. I can’t imagine going on this wild ride with anybody else,” Michelle wrote.
17of 20Love and Life AdviceMichelle Obama/InstagramIn 2020, Michelle shared another sweetphoto of their noses covered in icingfrom their wedding day. The caption hinted at what she and comedianConan O’Briendiscussed about marriagewhen he was a guest on her podcast.“Conan and I reflected on our marriages,” read the caption. “This relationship can be one of the most foundational pieces of our identities — bringing us so much joy, meaning, and support every single day.“She continued, “But one thing is for sure: It also takes a lot of work; a lot of honesty with ourselves and our partners. That’s one thing I’ve learned.”
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Love and Life Advice
Michelle Obama/Instagram
In 2020, Michelle shared another sweetphoto of their noses covered in icingfrom their wedding day. The caption hinted at what she and comedianConan O’Briendiscussed about marriagewhen he was a guest on her podcast.
“Conan and I reflected on our marriages,” read the caption. “This relationship can be one of the most foundational pieces of our identities — bringing us so much joy, meaning, and support every single day.”
She continued, “But one thing is for sure: It also takes a lot of work; a lot of honesty with ourselves and our partners. That’s one thing I’ve learned.”
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Becoming a Mother
After tying the knot in 1992, Michelle and Barack welcomed their first child together, daughterMalia Obama, on July 4, 1998.
Tocelebrate Malia’s 25th birthdayin 2023, Michelle posted a throwbackphoto with her firstborn, writing, “I feel so lucky to be your mom and to be able to watch you become the wonderful young woman you are today. Love you so much!”
19of 20Proud Mom of TwoBarack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama.Michelle Obama InstagramMichelle and Barack’s younger child,Sasha Obama, arrived on June 10, 2001. In 2020, the former president shared how Michelle and their two daughters inspired his memoir,A Promised Land.“Seeing them grow up into the intelligent, strong, and compassionate young women they’ve become has been the greatest joy of my life,” Barack wrote of Malia and Sasha alongside aphoto of them as kidsand the acknowledgement page. “I’m reminded constantly that there’s no place in the world I’d rather be than with Miche and our girls — and it’s why I’ve dedicated my memoir to them.”
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Proud Mom of Two
Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama.Michelle Obama Instagram
Michelle and Barack’s younger child,Sasha Obama, arrived on June 10, 2001. In 2020, the former president shared how Michelle and their two daughters inspired his memoir,A Promised Land.
“Seeing them grow up into the intelligent, strong, and compassionate young women they’ve become has been the greatest joy of my life,” Barack wrote of Malia and Sasha alongside aphoto of them as kidsand the acknowledgement page. “I’m reminded constantly that there’s no place in the world I’d rather be than with Miche and our girls — and it’s why I’ve dedicated my memoir to them.”
20of 20First Family: The ObamasAnnie Leibovitz/White House via Getty ImagesMichelle has had quite the documented journey from growing up in the South Side of Chicago toraising a family in the White House. In addition to offering an intimate glimpse into her early life through photos, the former first lady has written about her experience in her two books,BecomingandThe Light We Carry.Ahead of an episode from Michelle’sThe Light Podcast, the former FLOTUS toldTodayshow’sHoda Kotbin 2023 that she was “on the other side of parenting.““I’m moving from mom-in-chiefto advisor-in-chief,” she said. “That’s a lovely thing — to be able to watch my girls fly and have the relief that ‘Okay, I think I didn’t mess them up.’ "
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First Family: The Obamas
Annie Leibovitz/White House via Getty Images
Michelle has had quite the documented journey from growing up in the South Side of Chicago toraising a family in the White House. In addition to offering an intimate glimpse into her early life through photos, the former first lady has written about her experience in her two books,BecomingandThe Light We Carry.
Ahead of an episode from Michelle’sThe Light Podcast, the former FLOTUS toldTodayshow’sHoda Kotbin 2023 that she was “on the other side of parenting.”
“I’m moving from mom-in-chiefto advisor-in-chief,” she said. “That’s a lovely thing — to be able to watch my girls fly and have the relief that ‘Okay, I think I didn’t mess them up.’ "
source: people.com
