Michelle Obama (maiden name was Robinson) is an American lawyer, author, and former first lady of the United States. She was the first African-American woman to serve in this position. She is married to former president Barack Obama.
Obama was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 17, 1964. She grew up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago and graduated from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in 1981.
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She attended Princeton University, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in sociology in 1985. She then attended Harvard Law School, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1988.
After graduating from law school, Obama worked as an associate at Sidley Austin, a Chicago law firm. She left Sidley Austin in 1993 to work as the associate dean of student services at the University of Chicago.
In 1996, she became the executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares young people for public service.
In 1992, Obama met Barack Obama, who was then a summer associate at Sidley Austin. They were married in 1992 and have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.
In 2008, Obama campaigned for her husband's presidential campaign. After her husband was elected, she became the first African-American first lady of the United States.
As first lady, Obama focused on issues such as healthy eating, physical activity, and education. She also launched the Let's Move! initiative, which aimed to reduce childhood obesity.
Obama left the White House in 2017 with high approval ratings. She has since written a memoir, "Becoming," and she has founded the Michelle Obama Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to inspire and empower young people.
Family Overview
Michelle Obama has a rich ancestral history that goes back to slavery in America.
Her grandfather lived in South Carolina, where he built his own house in the Jim Crow South. The family had descended from Jim Robinson, who was the son of a white slave owner who had relations with his slave mother.
She met Barack Obama while working at a law firm, and the two would marry in 1992. Her father had died just before her marriage, but her grandfather would witness it.
The couple would become successful and eventually make it to the rank of President of the United States, with Michelle becoming the first African-American First Lady.
She and her husband had 2 daughters.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Fraser Robinson III (1935 - 1991) - He was the father of Michelle Robinson but died before he could see her get married. He developed multiple sclerosis as a young man but pushed through and always provided for his family. He had two children, and both looked up to him.
Marian Shields (1937 - Living) - She was a homemaker until her children were in high school and played an influential part in Michelle's life. She survived her husband after his death due to MS and would go on to see her daughter marry Barack Obama.
Spouse:
Barack Obama (1961 - Living) - He was the first African-American president of the United States and is considered one of the most popular presidents in pop culture since Ronald Reagan. There is much more that can be said of him, but most know of President Obama.
Children:
Malia Obama (1998 – Living) – she is the oldest daughter of President Barack Obama. She is still young and deserves privacy.
Sasha Obama (2001 – Living) – The youngest daughter of President Barack Obama. She is still young and deserves privacy.
Siblings:
Craig Robinson (1962 - Living) - He is the brother of Michelle and a graduate of Princeton. He had a head coaching career at Brown University and then Oregon State. He would go into administration in the NBA until recently. He has four children and has been married twice.