Michelle Obama
Born 1964 · Age 61
American attorney, author, and former First Lady of the United States (2009–2017). Advocate for education, health, military families, and girls' global education; author of Becoming (2018) and The Light We Carry (2022).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Chicago, Illinois
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson born to Fraser Robinson III and Marian Shields on Chicago's South Side.
Skipped second grade
Michelle and her brother Craig skipped the second grade during elementary school.
Placed into gifted classes (sixth grade)
By sixth grade, Michelle joined a gifted class at Bryn Mawr Elementary School (later Bouchet Academy).
Graduated Whitney Young High School (salutatorian)
Graduated as salutatorian from Chicago's Whitney Young High School, a selective magnet school.
Matriculated at Princeton University
Followed her brother to Princeton University to study sociology; became involved in the Third World Center.
Graduated Princeton University, B.A. cum laude
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in African-American studies; wrote a 99-page senior thesis 'Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community'.
Earned Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School
Received a J.D. degree; participated in Harvard Legal Aid Bureau and minority advocacy; mentor Charles Ogletree noted her development of identity.
Joined Sidley & Austin as associate
Began early legal career in Chicago at Sidley & Austin (corporate law, marketing and intellectual-property work).
Met Barack Obama at Sidley Austin
Assigned to mentor summer associate Barack Obama; their relationship began after business lunches and community meetings.
First date with Barack Obama
The couple's first date was to Spike Lee's movie Do the Right Thing.
Entered Chicago city government
Held public sector positions: assistant to Mayor Richard M. Daley and assistant commissioner of planning and development.
Father Fraser Robinson III died
Her father died from complications of multiple sclerosis; Michelle later described this as a turning point influencing her career focus.
Married Barack Obama
Michelle Robinson and Barack Obama married at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
Left corporate law; founded Public Allies–Chicago (executive director)
Became executive director for the Chicago office of Public Allies, a nonprofit training young leaders; set fundraising records standing for 12 years after departure.
Placed law license on voluntary inactive status
Kept her law license but marked it inactive beginning in 1993 as she moved into public-service roles.
Became Associate Dean at University of Chicago
Appointed associate dean of student services; developed the University Community Service Center and expanded community outreach programs.
Barack Obama elected to Illinois State Senate
Husband's election shifted family toward political life, influencing Michelle's later role as a political spouse and campaigner.
Birth of daughter Malia
Michelle and Barack welcomed their first daughter, Malia (year stated in sources).
Birth of daughter Natasha (Sasha)
Michelle and Barack welcomed their second daughter, Sasha (year stated in sources).
Joined University of Chicago Hospitals (executive director)
Became executive director for community affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals, working to build ties with surrounding neighborhoods.
Barack Obama elected U.S. Senator
Husband's election to the U.S. Senate increased the family's national visibility; Michelle continued her university role.
Began serving as salaried board member of TreeHouse Foods
Served on the board of TreeHouse Foods (a major Wal‑Mart supplier) from shortly after Barack was seated in the Senate until cutting ties after the presidential campaign announcement.
Promoted to Vice President, Community & External Affairs (UChicago Med)
Became vice president for community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center (May 2005).
Reported 2006 income: salary and household income
According to 2006 tax return, Michelle's salary from UChicago Hospitals was $273,618; the Obamas' total income was $991,296.
Reduced professional duties 80% to support presidential campaign
Three months after Barack announced his presidential bid, Michelle scaled back her professional responsibilities dramatically to support the campaign.
Delivered keynote-style speech at the Democratic National Convention
Introduced by brother Craig Robinson; delivered a widely praised speech presenting the Obama family as embodiment of the American Dream (first night of DNC, August 2008).
Barack Obama elected 44th U.S. President
Husband's victory in the 2008 presidential election; Michelle had been an active campaigner and speaker.
Became First Lady of the United States
Michelle Obama assumed the role of First Lady on inauguration day, beginning an eight-year tenure focused on health, education, and military families.
Planted White House Kitchen Garden
Worked with 23 fifth-graders to plant an 1,100-square-foot vegetable garden and install beehives on the South Lawn to promote healthy eating.
Launched Let's Move! initiative (administration focus on childhood obesity)
Major White House initiative to reduce childhood obesity by promoting nutrition, physical activity, and healthier school meals.
Launched Joining Forces with Jill Biden
Collaborated with Dr. Jill Biden to create the Joining Forces initiative supporting service members, veterans, and military families (focus on employment, education, wellness).
Published American Grown
Published 'American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America' about the White House garden and community gardens nationwide.
Commencement speaker (May 2012)
Delivered commencement address (noted in university guides and institutional records).
Stumped for Barack Obama in 2012 campaign; spoke at DNC
Actively campaigned for Barack Obama's 2012 re-election; delivered a highly praised speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Co-founded the Obama Foundation
Barack and Michelle established the Obama Foundation to oversee the Obama Presidential Center and run programs including the Girls Opportunity Alliance.
Delivered speech at 2016 Democratic National Convention
Spoke in support of Hillary Clinton and delivered the widely quoted line 'when they go low, we go high.'
Let Girls Learn—partnerships and comprehensive investment announced
Administration announced comprehensive investments and partnerships (Peace Corps, USAID, PEPFAR, etc.) to expand Let Girls Learn.
Left White House as First Lady
Michelle Obama's tenure as First Lady ended on January 20, 2017; she pledged to continue supporting youth and veterans.
Founded Higher Ground Productions (with Barack Obama) and signed Netflix deal
Michelle and Barack announced a multi‑year production deal with Netflix through Higher Ground to produce film and TV content.
Published memoir Becoming
Released Becoming, an international bestseller describing her life from Chicago to the White House.
Higher Ground produced American Factory (exec producer)
Higher Ground/Netflix released American Factory (2019), a documentary about a reopened factory in Dayton, Ohio; Michelle served as executive producer/presenter on related projects.
Launched The Michelle Obama Podcast (Spotify)
Premiered a podcast exploring relationships and civic topics, produced with major partners and released on Spotify.
Becoming audiobook won Grammy Award (Best Spoken Word Album)
Michelle Obama won a Grammy for the audiobook version of Becoming.
Published The Light We Carry
Released her second major post‑White House book offering tools for handling uncertain times.
Launched Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast
Released a companion podcast to The Light We Carry to expand on themes from the book.
Audiobook of The Light We Carry won Grammy (Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording)
Michelle Obama earned her second Grammy for the audiobook of The Light We Carry (announced Feb 2024).
Mother Marian Robinson died
Michelle's mother, Marian Robinson, died in May 2024; Michelle has spoken about using therapy to help cope.
Recognitions and continued public work
Maintains public initiatives through the Obama Foundation, supports Girls Opportunity Alliance, appears at foundation summits and cultural events.
Key Achievement Ages
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