50 Things You Didn’t Know About Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, is a woman of many talents and achievements. Here are 50 fascinating facts about her:

Early Life and Family

1. Birthplace: Michelle LaVaughn Robinson was born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois.

2. Parents: Her parents are Fraser Robinson III, a city water plant employee, and Marian Shields Robinson, a homemaker.

3. Siblings: She has an older brother, Craig Robinson, who is a basketball executive and coach.

4. Nickname: Her family nickname was “Miche.”

5. Piano Lessons: She learned to play the piano at a young age, taught by her great-aunt.

6. Family Motto: Her family often used the motto, “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Education

7. High School: Michelle graduated as salutatorian from Whitney Young High School, Chicago’s first magnet high school.

8. Princeton University: She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in African American studies from Princeton University in 1985.

9. Senior Thesis: Her senior thesis at Princeton was titled “Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community.”

10. Harvard Law School: Michelle earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Harvard Law School in 1988.

11. Firsts: She was the first African American First Lady of the United States.

Career

12. Sidley & Austin: Michelle worked at the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met Barack Obama.

13. Mentorship: She was Barack Obama’s mentor when he was a summer associate at the firm.

14. Chicago City Hall: She worked as an assistant to the mayor of Chicago and as assistant commissioner of planning and development.

15. Public Allies: Michelle served as the executive director for the Chicago branch of Public Allies, a nonprofit organization.

16. University of Chicago: She worked as Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago and later as Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

First Lady Achievements

17. Let’s Move!: Michelle launched the “Let’s Move!” campaign to combat childhood obesity.

18. Joining Forces: Alongside Dr. Jill Biden, she started the “Joining Forces” initiative to support military families.

19. Let Girls Learn: Michelle and Barack Obama launched the “Let Girls Learn” initiative to promote education for adolescent girls worldwide.

20. Garden: She planted the White House Kitchen Garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden.

21. Fashion Icon: Michelle became a fashion icon, known for her elegant and relatable style.

22. White House State Dinners: She was known for her active involvement in planning and hosting state dinners.

Books and Writing

23. Becoming: Her memoir “Becoming,” published in 2018, became one of the best-selling memoirs of all time.

24. Children’s Book: She co-wrote the children’s book “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters” with Barack Obama.

25. Reading: Michelle is an avid reader and frequently discusses her love for books.

Personal Life

26. Marriage: Michelle married Barack Obama on October 3, 1992.

27. Daughters: They have two daughters, Malia Ann, born in 1998, and Natasha (Sasha), born in 2001.

28. Family Dog: The Obamas have two Portuguese Water Dogs, Bo and Sunny.

Advocacy and Public Speaking

29. Public Speaker: Michelle is a sought-after public speaker, known for her powerful and inspiring speeches.

30. Podcast: She launched “The Michelle Obama Podcast” in 2020, discussing a range of personal and societal issues.

Fun Facts

31. Height: Michelle stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall.

32. Favorite Food: She loves French fries.

33. Fitness Enthusiast: Michelle is passionate about fitness and often worked out at the White House.

34. Beyoncé Fan: She is a big fan of Beyoncé and attended her concerts.

35. Gardening: She enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors.

36. Cooking: Michelle likes to cook and often involves her family in cooking activities.

Honors and Awards

37. Honorary Degrees: She has received honorary degrees from several institutions, including Princeton University, Harvard University, and the University of Oxford.

38. Grammy Award: Michelle won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for the audiobook of her memoir “Becoming.”

39. Time’s Most Influential: She has been named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” multiple times.

Cultural Impact

40. Barbie Doll: Mattel released a Barbie doll in her likeness as part of their “Inspiring Women” series.

41. Wax Figure: She has a wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Washington, D.C.

42. Influence: Michelle has inspired numerous women and girls worldwide with her advocacy and public service.

Interests and Hobbies

43. Music: She loves music and has shared playlists with the public.

44. Movies: Michelle enjoys watching movies, particularly romantic comedies.

45. Travel: She has traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally, during and after her time as First Lady.

Post-White House Activities

46. Obama Foundation: Michelle is actively involved in the Obama Foundation, focusing on leadership development and civic engagement.

47. Higher Ground Productions: She co-founded Higher Ground Productions with Barack Obama to produce content that inspires and educates.

48. Public Appearances: Michelle continues to make public appearances, often speaking about education, health, and women’s rights.

49. Mentorship: She mentors young women and encourages them to pursue their dreams.

Inspirational Quotes

50. Famous Quote: One of her famous quotes is, “When they go low, we go high,” which she delivered at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

These facts provide a comprehensive look at Michelle Obama’s life, career, and impact, showcasing her as a role model, advocate, and influential figure in modern history.