Michelle Obama has been in the limelight as the wife of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. She also created history by becoming the first African-American First Lady of the United States. Over time, she emerged as a trailblazer for her commendable work in the socio-economic and political spheres. She is now a force to reckon with in her own right.
While Michelle Obama is always in the public eye due to her celebrity status, there are some lesser-known facts about her that you will find interesting.
She Had a Humble Upbringing
She grew up in Chicago in an average American working-class family. She lived in a one-bedroom apartment with her parents and brother. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father worked at a water purification plant. She attended public schools before she secured admission to Princeton and Harvard Law School.
She Can Play Piano
Michelle Obama’s fascination with the piano began when she would play one with broken keys in her childhood. She gave a glimpse of her piano skills when she played a nostalgic duet with the famous musician Jon Batiste during the release of the documentary ‘American Symphony’.
She was a Picky Eater
Michelle Obama confessed to being a picky eater as a child during her appearance on ‘Your Mama’s Kitchen’ podcast. She hated eggs and bacon for breakfast and would eat peanut butter and jelly every morning until she went to college.
She Indulges Her Sweet Tooth
The female icon advocates healthy eating, but she occasionally has a weakness for sweet treats. She enjoys pies and peanut butter chocolate whenever she can.
She Was Her Husband’s Advisor
The duo met at a Chicago law firm where Barack was a summer associate and Michelle was an employee. She was assigned as his advisor. After her initial resistance, they began to date each other, and the rest, as people say, is history.
She Has a Nickname for Her Husband
The power woman affectionately calls Barack Obama ‘Pumpski’. He reciprocates her love by often addressing her as ‘My Rock’ and ‘My Love, My Partner, and My Best Friend’.
She Kept Her Husband Grounded
Some people called it ribbing or domesticating her husband, but it was Michelle Obama’s way of keeping her husband grounded. When Barack Obama was due to give a keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, her words to him were, ‘Just don’t screw it up, buddy!’
She would also publicly point out to him that she did not pick up his socks or put away the butter.
She Conceived Through IVF
Michelle Obama went through one of the roughest times of her life when she had a miscarriage. Realizing that her biological clock was ticking away at the age of 34-35, she decided to opt for fertility treatment. Her two daughters, Malia and Sasha, were born through IVF.
She Took Couple’s Therapy
Michelle Obama’s marriage had its fair share of ups and downs. It was challenging for her and Barack to juggle parenthood, marriage, and enormous professional commitments. She didn’t hesitate to seek marriage counseling with her husband.
She Attended a Job Interview with Her Newborn
Michelle Obama took her four-month-old daughter, Sasha, to a job interview with the University of Chicago Medical Center. She didn’t have a babysitter, her husband was away from home, and she was a breastfeeding mother. She unapologetically prioritized her daughter’s well-being but didn’t give up pursuing her professional aspirations.
She Doesn’t Like to Play Scrabble
Barack Obama loves to play Scrabble but often beats his wife in the game. Being competitive, Michelle dislikes losing and gets upset when her husband flaunts his win.
She Planted a Kitchen Garden in the White House
Michelle Obama planted a kitchen garden at the White House in 2009. This was considered one of her key initiatives in her early days as a First Lady. She invited schoolchildren to join her in the plantation. She aimed to encourage Americans to grow their vegetables at home and live healthy lives.
She Adores Stevie Wonder
The Obama couple is a big fan of Stevie Wonder, the music prodigy. His song ‘You and I’ was their wedding song. The legendary singer-songwriter also played in private and public events for the Obamas.
She Loves Knitting
The former First Lady found a new passion and solace in knitting during the COVID-19 quarantine. It helped her alleviate her anxiety. She has knitted tops, sweaters, and more for her family.
She Wrote More Books Than You Know
Michelle Obama is one of the highest-paid authors in the world. Her books ‘Becoming,’ ‘American Grown, and ‘The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times are among the bestsellers of all time. However, she has several other books to her credit.
She penned an introduction for the children’s book ‘Waffles and Mochi’, which is also a children’s series produced by Obamas for Netflix. She co-authored the book ‘Farewell Speeches’ with her husband. She has also written ‘The Healthy Lunchtime Cookbook’ as part of her ‘Let’s Move Initiative’.
She Doesn’t Shy Away from Hugs
Michelle Obama is big on giving hugs. She has extended her warm embraces to everyone, from school children to George Bush and the Queen of England.
She Believes in Affordable Fashion
Despite her personage and reputation, the former First Lady often preferred wearing affordable clothes. During her public appearances, she has sported J. Crew and H&M outfits several times, and she has even worn dresses from the Target collection.