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Home • Celebrity

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama

Here are all the reasons we adore First Lady Michelle Obama!
50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
Getty images
By ESSENCE Editors · Updated October 27, 2020

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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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 Vanity Fair 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?). 

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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. 

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
07
She’s an Unofficial Ambassador

What better person to represent the United States overseas than Michelle Obama?

50+ Reasons We Love 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”.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.”

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
Getty Images
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
13
She’s Bold

The First Lady is not afraid to bare arms.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love 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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
17
She Shines Too

Mrs. Obama proves women can marry a dynamic man and not live in his shadow.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
18
She’s Incredibly Smart

A Princeton and Harvard graduate, Mrs. Obama is one of the most educated First Ladies.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.”

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
23
She’s Not Afraid of A Little PDA

Mrs. Obama has an intimate relationship with her husband, even in public.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
24
She Has A Real Woman’s Body

The First Lady has a figure every woman can relate to, and she wears it well.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
27
She’s Championing A Movement

With her gardening initiatives, Mrs. Obama is teaching a generation to be self-sufficient.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.”

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
31
She’s Relatable

Like the aunties and older sisters we grew up around, Michelle Obama is someone we can identify with.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
32
The President Is Clearly Smitten

Our President can’t keep his eyes off his lovely wife.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
35
She’s A Hair Icon

Mrs. Obama brought the bob back!

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
37
She Stays Fit and Fabulous

Healthy living isn’t just a campaign slogan for Mrs. Obama, it’s a way of life.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
41
She’s Confident

Mrs. Obama’s confidence is sexy and beautiful.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
42
She Makes Anything Look Good

From designer pieces to $30 dresses, Mrs. Obama makes any outfit she chooses look oh-so-amazing.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
43
She’s Still Young At Heart

She may be 50, but don’t underestimate Mrs. Obama’s double dutch skills. Watch her jump rope for a Worldwide Day of Play PSA .

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
44
She’s The President’s Sounding Board

President Obama is said to consult his wife on everything, even policy matters.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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? 

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
Getty Images
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
48
She’s Beautiful Inside and Out

Her beauty and grace feel timeless.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.”

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.”

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
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.”

50+ Reasons We Love Michelle Obama
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
TOPICS:  Michelle Obama
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