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Home • Celebrity

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments

Ever since we first laid eyes on the Obama family on the campaign trail back in 2008, they have provided us with countless aww-inspiring moments. As a couple, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are a united front, and their love for daughters Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11, is a continual reminder of just how beautiful Black love can be. Today, as we cast our ballots, we take a look at the First Family's sweetest moments.
By Yolanda Sangweni · Updated October 28, 2020
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01
It’s Official

What a day! At his swearing-in on January 20, 2009, President Obama basks in the moment with his daughters Sasha and Malia and his wife Michelle. 

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
02
Thumbs Up

Sasha Obama gives her dad a thumbs up following his inauguration as the 44th President of the United States.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Ken Cedeno/Bloomberg News
03
Cheers to You

Cheers to that! The President and First Lady toast during a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol following his swearing-in as the 44th President of the United States.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Amanda Rivkin/Getty Images
04
At Last

Talk about a memorable moment. Mr. and Mrs. Obama share their first dance as President and First Lady during the Neighborhood Ball in Washington, D.C.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
05
Puppy Love

The Obamas have serious puppy love, thanks to their beloved Portuguese water dog, Bo.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Alex Wong/Getty Images
06
Formal Occasion

First Lady Michelle Obama stuns in a Peter Soronen gown after a black-tie dinner for the National Governors Association. The dinner, held in February 2009, would be the Obamas’ first formal White House event.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Mike Theiler-Pool/Getty Images
07
Holidays with the Obamas

The First Family, with Michelle’s mom Marian Robinson, light the National Christmas Tree in a December 2010 ceremony.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Pete Souza/ Official White House Photo
08
Dinner Date

No one can accuse the President of not pulling out all the stops for his lady. Here, he and First Lady Michelle Obama walk from the Oval Office to board the presidential helicopter on their way to New York City for dinner and a Broadway show.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Aude Guerrucci/Bloomberg via Getty Images
09
Jetsetters

The presidential family departs El Salvador in March 2011 during their tour of South America.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
10
Hand in Hand

The First Couple walk hand-in-hand to a motorcade after being greeted in the traditonal Hawaiian way upon their arrival at the Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu for Christmas vacation.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
11
So Precious

Flashback! Then-Illinois Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama, seated next to his wife Michelle and their daughters Sasha, 3, and Malia, 6, wait for election returns in a Chicago hotel, November 2, 2004.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
12
Wild Thing

Alongside his wife, daughters and mother-in-law, President Obama makes a clawing gesture after reading the book Where the Wild Things Are to young children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
13
Pardon Me

President Obama stands alongside a turkey named Courage as his daughters Malia and Sasha pet the bird during the annual turkey pardoning ceremony for Thanksgiving on the North Portico of the White House.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
14
Romantic Dinner

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama leave State Road restaurant after having dinner on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
15
Daddy’s Girl

President Obama shares a sweet moment on the South Lawn with his daughter Sasha on his 49th birthday.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Pete Souza/ Official White House Photo
16
Game Time

The first family and grandma-in-chief Marian Robinson love basketball. Here they attend a game at George Washington University.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
17
Traditional Dance

President Barack Obama watches as First Lady Michelle Obama dances during a celebration of Diwali as they visit Holy Name High School in Mumbai, India.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
18
Happy Birthday To You

The Obamas take a break from community service to sing “Happy Birthday” to First Lady Michelle Obama on her birthday. The family had participated in a community service event at the Stuart-Hobson Middle School Service Project in honor of MLK Day.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images
19
Tree for the Road

The First Lady smells the Douglas fir with daughters Sasha and Malia at the arrival of the White House Christmas Tree, 2010.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Rod Lamkey/Getty Images
20
Family Fun

Avid soccer lovers, the First Family watches the 2010 World Cup soccer game between the U.S. and Japan, from the Treaty Room office in the residence of the White House.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
21
Sweet Treats

There’s nothing like some downtime with your busy dad. Here, President Obama and his daughter Malia enjoy shaved ice during a family holiday in Hawaii.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
22
Family Moment

President Obama showers daughter Malia with kisses as the First Lady and Sasha look on during an event to celebrate Independence Day and honor military heroes.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
23
A Warm Embrace

President Barack Obama kisses First Lady Michelle Obama after she introduced him at a campaign rally in Dubuque, Iowa.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Getty Images
24
Bike Tour

President Obama takes his daughter Sasha  and a family friend for a bike ride at Lobsterville Beach on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
JewEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
25
Obama Ladies

Malia, Sasha and First Lady Michelle Obama beam with pride as President Barack Obama speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
26
First Family
At the end of 2011, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters Sasha and Malia shared a very special family portrait in the Oval Office.
The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Pete Souza/ Official White House Photo
27
On Display

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama show some major PDA when they find themselves on the “Kiss Cam” during Team USA’s basketball game against Brazil in July.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
28
A Proud Moment
Cuddled up at the White House, President Barack Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia watch the First Lady’s speech at the Democratic National Convention.
The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Pete Souza/White House Photo via Getty Images
29
Family Vacation

The President embraces daughter Malia as his younger daughter Sasha looks on before entering the Honolulu Zoo in Hawaii.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Kent Nishimura-Pool/Getty Images
30
Downtime

The First Family visits the zoo in Honolulu during their many returns to the island where the President grew up.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
31
Easy Living

President Obama looks cool and relaxed while spending time with friends and family in Honolulu.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
32
Red, White and View

The President and First Lady are the epitome of picture-perfect as they sit with Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters for a taping of The View at ABC Studios in New York City.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages
33
Sunday Best

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama keep their faith at the forefront of their family life. Here the First Family walks across Lafayette Park to St. John’s Episcopal Church to attend Sunday services.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP/GettyImages
34
Touring the World

First Lady Michelle Obama makes a point to show her daughters the world. Here, she is joined by her mom Marian Robinson and daughters Sasha and Malia for a tour of the District 6 Museum in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Pete Souza/ Official White House Photo
35
Sword Fight

President Barack Obama pretends to fence with First Lady Michelle Obama during an event on the Olympics, Paralympics and youth sports on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
IM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
36
Snow Day

Who says the leader of the free world can’t have some fun in the snow? President Obama plays in the white stuff in the Rose Garden with daughters Malia and Sasha.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Pete Souza/ Official White House Photo
37
Look at Me!
Sasha Obama shares her excitement with her family as they tour a trail on Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park in Maine.
The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
38
Slow Dance

In one of many amazing moments on the dance floor, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance during the 2009 Nobel Banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Pete Souza/ Official White House Photo
39
Beach Getaway

President Obama and Mrs. Obama react as daughter Sasha gets a hole-in-one as they play miniature golf at Pirate’s Island Golf in Panama City, Florida, August 2010.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
40
Black Love

The President greets First Lady Michelle Obama after his last presidential debate against Mitt Romney at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.

The Obama Family's Sweetest Moments
Marc Serota/Getty Images