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Home · Celebrity

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years

Each time we see First Lady Michelle Obama out with her daughters, Malia, 17, and Sasha, 14, we're reminded of the beautiful bond mothers share with their little girls—who are growing up so fast (OMG, Malia is going to college?!) Join us in looking back at the First Lady and her daughters' sweetest moments.
By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020
01
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.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
02
Sunday Service

Michelle Obama and her daughters enjoy a lovely hometown church service at Apostolic Church of God in June 2008.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
03
In Your Arms

Mrs. Obama and daughter, Malia, look on as their father gives a heartfelt speech on his presidential campaign trail in Oskaloosa, Iowa on July 4th, 2008.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
04
Leading the Way

Michelle Obama firmly grips little Malia’s hand while attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado on August 25, 2008. She gave a warm speech to convention-goers that evening.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
05
Kisses

Mrs. Obama looks on as her youngest daughter, Sasha, then just seven years old, blows a kiss to her father during the 2008 Democratic National Conference.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
06
My Little Girl

Mrs. Obama and Sasha share a sweet moment.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
07
Say ‘Cheese’

Mrs. Obama and her daughters join teen star Keke Palmer (center) at an event.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
08
First Lady

First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, greet supporters during the inaugural parade on January 20, 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
09
Music in the Air

Mrs. Obama and her girls enjoy one of many jazz concerts at the White House in June of 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
10
A Girl Thing

First Lady Michelle Obama says her girls are her greatest gift.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
11
My Everything

A hectic schedule doesn’t stop this Mom-in-Chief from making it home for dinner with her girls on most nights.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
12
Quality Time

“I want to make sure that the girls are doing well, and that they feel like they have the love and attention they deserve from their parents, regardless of what positions we hold," First Lady Michelle Obama told Good Housekeeping Magazine.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
13
I Love You, Mom

Mrs. Obama shares a loving glance with daughter Malia on her 11th birthday on July 4, 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
14
My Heart

Mrs. Obama says her daughters are “the heart of my heart and the center of my world.”

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
15
Blessing

“They’re the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night,” said Mrs. Obama in a speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
16
Sweet Summertime

The Obamas always make a point to give the girls an eventful summer break. Here they are vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard on August 26, 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
17
Getaway

Mrs. Obama took her daughters to Paris during her husband’s first year in office. Lucky girls!

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
18
Holiday TIme

The proud mom looks on as her daughter Malia reads at a holiday celebration at the Children’s National Medical Center on December 22, 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
19
First Daughter

Malia and her mother dance together at the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 5, 2010. How adorable!

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
20
Mommy and Me

Mrs. Obama fixes Sasha’s pretty dress before going to meet the King and Queen of Spain in August of 2010. This is one of our favorite photos of Mrs. Obama.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
21
Sweet Moment

Mother and daughter, Sasha, share a private moment during their summer trip to Spain.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
22
Precious Time

Sasha tags along with her beautiful mom.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
23
She’s Growing Up

It’s hard to believe Malia is almost as tall as her mom.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
24
She’s My Girl

Mrs. Obama and Sasha, 9, take a bike ride through Martha’s Vineyard’s Manuel Correllus State Forest in West Tisbury, Massachusetts in August of 2010.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
25
Lead the Way

Malia and her mom walk on the White House lawn as they return from their Martha’s Vineyard vacation in August of 2010. Malia is certainly turning into a beautiful young woman.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
26
Spending Time

Mrs. Obama and her daughters walk Bo, the family dog.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
27
Slam Dunk

Michelle Obama and Sasha watch a college basketball game between Howard University and Oregon State, which is coached by Michelle’s brother Craig Robinson, in November 2010.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
28
We are Family

The First Lady says living in the White House “has been the greatest single benefit” for her family. “It means that we see each other every day. And that hasn’t happened for most of the kids’ lifetime,” she told Time Magazine in 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
29
An Inspiration

Mrs. Obama’s close relationship with her daughters is an inspiration to many.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
30
Beautiful People

Mrs. Obama and the girls looked lovely in sunny yellow during a tour of Latin America.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
31
Little Women

Check out mom and daughters looking gorgeous during their tour of Latin America. Mrs. Obama is certainly raising roses.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
32
Welcome Home

Michelle Obama, in a Rachel Roy trench, with daughter Malia walk across the South Lawn in March 2011 upon returning to the White House.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
33
Happy Family

The Obama family reads ‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’ to children during the White House Easter Egg Roll in April 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
34
South African Trip

The First Lady and her daughters Malia, 12, and Sasha 10, arrive in Pretoria, South Africa in late June of 2011. They then headed to Johannesburg to begin a week-long trip.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
35
Story Time

The First Lady and her daughters, Sasha and Malia, take time to read a story to the children of Emthonjeni Community Center in Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
36
Safari Time

Mrs. Obama and daughters, Malia and Sasha, listen to their guide during a safari in Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa in June 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
37
Hand-in-Hand

Our First Lady, in a Jason Wu floral dress, and her daughter Malia, 13, share laughter during a walk to church in Washington, D.C. in July 2011. Mrs. Obama looks lovely.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
38
Christmas Time

First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia, along with dog Bo, receive the White House Christmas tree.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
39
Loving Memories

First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters, Sasha and Malia, attend the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on December 1, 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
40
Picture Perfect

At the end of the year, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, shared this very special family portrait in the Oval Office. It’s their final official picture of 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
41
Smiles all around
Sasha Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Malia Obama at Nickelodeon’s 25th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards held at Galen Center in Los Angeles in 2012.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
42
A day to remember
Sasha Obama, First lady Michelle Obama, and Malia Obama walk on stage during the Democratic National Convention in 2012.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
43
Hand in Hand
The First Lady and her daughters are presented with the official White House Christmas Tree in 2012.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
44
Winter Wonderland
The Obama ladies light the 90th National Christmas Tree during the Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse behind the White House in 2012.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
45
Holiday Fun
Barack Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama attend TNT Christmas in Washington 2012.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
46
An afternoon stroll
Mrs. Obama and daughter Sasha walk along the White House lawn in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
47
Concert fun
Michelle Obama is flanked by her daughters at the Kids Inaugural Concert at the Convention Center in Washington, D.C in 2012.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
48
Dance Break
Malia Obama gets down with her sister and mother during the presidential inaugural parade in Washington D.C. in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
49
Learning together
First Lady Michelle Obama acompanied by her two daughters, Sasha and Malia, tours the Old Library Building at Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
50
Bonding in nature
The Obama ladies take in the scene while visiting Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains National Park in Ireland in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
51
Berlin bound
The Obamas arrive in Berlin in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
52
Hugging it out
Michelle Obama hugs her daughter Sasha as they arrive to visit the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin Germany in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
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53
Untitled Image
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
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54
Vacation Bound
Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha make their way to board their helicopter to begin their week long trip to Africa.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
55
Riding Along
Michelle and Sasha Obama put some miles on their bikes during a trip to Martha’s Vineyard in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
56
Court side fun
Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama enjoy a game during the 2013 Arthur Ashe Kids Day at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
57
Twinning
Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha coordinate their outfits on their way to Saint John’s Episcopal Chuch for Sunday services in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
58
Furry friends
The Obama ladies walk their dogs Sunny and Bo as they wait for the White House Christmas tree to arrive in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
59
Singing Along
The Obamas sing carols during the finale of TNT’s “Christmas in Washington” in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
60
Game time
The Obama ladies watch the Oregon State University vs University of Akron college basketball game in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
61
Three generations
Michelle Obama, her mother Marian Robinson, and daughters Sasha and Malia arrive at Beijing Capital International in 2014.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
62
Seeing the world
Michelle Obama is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping with her daughters in tow in Beijing.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
63
Old World Exploring
irst Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters visit Museum of Terracotta Warriors during a visit to China.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
64
Far East Festivities

Michelle and her daughters take in a performance at the Xi’an City Wall in China in 2014.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
65
Making Memories
The Obama ladies arrive at the Giant Panda Research Base in China in 2014.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
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66
Pledging allegiance
The Obamas attend TNT Christmas in Washington 2014.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
67
Picture Perfect
The Obamas release their family Easter photo in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
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68
Summer in Italy
The Obama Ladies arrive in Milan Italy in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
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69
Spotted
The First Lady sails with her mother and daughters in Venice, Italy in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
70
Merry and bright
The Obamas attend the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse south of the White House in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
71
Tea Time
Michelle and her daughters head to tea in London in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
72
Italian Lunch
Michelle Obam and her daughter Malia have lunch with soldiers and guests during her visit to the US and NATO Army base of Vicenza, northeastern Italy in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
73
Touring together
Michelle, Sasha and Malia visit at the US pavillon of the Venice Biennale venue on June 20, 2015 in Venice.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
74
A family that bikes together…
The Obamas were back riding their bikes in Martha’s Vineyard in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
75
Easy breezy in Venice
The Obama ladies look vacation ready in Venice, Italy.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
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76
Game on
Michelle, her mother and her daughters catch a baseball game during their visit to Cuba.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
77
Obamas in Cuba

The Obama ladies share a special moment at La Catedral de la Virgen Maria de la Concepcion Inmaculada in Old Havana.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
@petesouza
78
Meeting the Pope
First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia arrive to welcome Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland in 2015.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Getty Images
79
Arriving in Style
The Obama ladies float through the White House in gorgeous gowns for the Stat Dinner in 2016.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Pete Souza
80
All The Ladies
Michelle, her mother Marian, Sasha and Malia arrive in Sunny Madrid back in June, 2016.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Pablo Cuadra
81
Vacation Time
Michelle, Mr. President, and their daughters arrive in Martha’s Vineyard for a much needed vacation in August 2016.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Boston Globe
82
Home Sweet Home
The Obama’s arrive back at the White House after their family vacation to Martha’s Vineyard in August, 2016.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images
83
Happy Holidays!

Michelle and Sasha light the tree with President Obama.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images
84
Obama Forever
Michelle comforts Malia after President Obama’s farewell address in Chicago, Illinois.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Her Daughters Through the Years
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
TOPICS:  Michelle Obama
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