Reuters
US first lady Michelle Obama smiles as meets with 3rd grade students at the Ferebee Hope elementary school in Washington May 13, 2009
Born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama made history by serving as the first African-American first lady in US history.
As first lady, Michelle Obama has created initiatives promoting education and healthy living. She’s known for her no-nonsense attitude — as well as her impeccable fashion sense.
In honor of her birthday, we’ve compiled 52 photos of one of America’s coolest first ladies.
Secret Service agents avert their eyes as the Obamas share a private moment on Inauguration Day 2009.
The Obamas dance while the band Earth, Wind and Fire performs at the Governors Ball in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 22, 2009.
Mrs. Obama chats with students at the Ferebee-Hope Elementary school in Washington, D.C., after attending a meeting with Communities In Schools board members, May 13, 2009.
The first lady prepares herself before giving a speech in Washington, DC, May 20, 2009.
The first lady and then-Assistant White House Chef Sam Kass shell sugar snap peas she harvested from her garden with students from Bancroft Elementary School at the White House in Washington, June 16, 2009.
In this photo, the first lady looks over her speech before speaking at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Here, Mrs. Obama serves food at Miriam’s Kitchen in Washington. The kitchen provides meals, case management and housing support to nearly 250 homeless men and women in the city.
The Obamas meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on July 10, 2009.
The Obamas were welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II to Buckingham Palace in London while in town for the G20 summit.
The Obamas pose for their first holiday portrait at the White House.
Running across the South Lawn during an event to promote physical activity at the White House in Washington, May 25, 2010.
In this photo, she speaks to the people affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Breaking a bottle of champagne at the christening of a new ship in Pascagoula, Mississippi in 2010.
In this photo, Mrs. Obama plays flag football with children, former NFL players and coaches during her “Let’s Move” campaign in New Orleans.
Mrs. Obama plays hopscotch during the “Make A Difference” program at the University of Mumbai in Mumbai, India, on November 6, 2010.
The first lady brings toys alongside a US Marine to the Toys for Tots distribution center.
The president and first lady greet children during the arrival ceremony in San Salvador, El Salvador, March 22, 2011.
Mrs. Obama speaks with former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa at Mandela’s home in Houghton, South Africa, June 21, 2011.
Mrs. Obama hits a tennis ball prior to the US Open in New York, on September 9, 2011.
In this photo from 2011, the first lady tours the Ma’o Organic Farms in Waianae, Hawaii.
President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden talk with Michelle Obama in the Oval Office in November 2011.
Along with Kermit the frog, the first lady reads “The Night Before Christmas” during the lighting of the National Christmas tree in Washington on December 1, 2011.
Mrs. Obama dances with Ellen during a taping of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in Burbank, California, on Feb. 1, 2012.
Mrs. Obama is interviewed during a taping of the “Late Show with David Letterman” at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, N.Y., on March 19, 2012.
The first couple smooches for the “Kiss Cam” during a timeout at an Olympic basketball exhibition game in 2012.
Basketball player LeBron James walks towards Mrs. Obama with open arms before a game between the US and France at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Michelle Obama waves before addressing the first session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012.
The Obamas made history with this August 2012 hug — this became, at the time, the most tweeted photo of all time after the Obama campaign sent it out to the account’s followers on election night.
Mrs. Obama smiles and waves before Barack’s election night victory speech.
The first lady participates in a potato sack race with Jimmy Fallon in the East Room of the White House during a “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” taping for the second anniversary of her “Let’s Move!” initiative in 2012.
The first lady reacts as she visits with young children in after-school care at the Rappahannock Area YMCA in Spotsylvania in 2012.
Holding a lollipop made of tea and honey, Mrs. Obama laughs in the State Dining Room during the first viewing of the 2012 holiday decorations at the White House.
The president sings “Happy Birthday” to Michelle in the Blue Room of the White House. The first lady’s new hairstyle attracted a lot of attention from this photo.
The Obamas laugh as they ride in the inaugural parade after President Obama took his second oath of office in Washington on Jan. 21, 2013.
The president bows in front of Michelle before they share their first dance during the Commander-In-Chief’s Ball on Inauguration Day 2013.
President Obama looks at the first lady during a recorded message for ABC’s “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, in the Library of the White House, on Feb. 19, 2013.
The first lady speaks with the children of former Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha and his family in the Oval Office prior to a ceremony to award Romesha the Medal of Honor, Feb. 11, 2013.
Mrs. Obama harvests vegetables with students in the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn, May 28, 2013.
The Obamas arrive for an official dinner at the Presidential Palace in Dakar, Senegal, June 27, 2013.
In this 2013 picture, Mrs. Obama announces the Best Picture Oscar to Argo live from the Diplomatic Room of the White House.
President Obama plays with family pets Sunny and Bo, as the Obamas wait to greet visitors in the Blue Room during a White House tour on November 5, 2013.
The Obamas arrive for a reception at the White House in Washington on December 8, 2013.
First Lady Michelle Obama rides a toboggan at the Great Wall of China in Mutianyu, China, March 23, 2014.
Mrs. Obama tours the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas, on May 16, 2014.
In this 2014 photo, Mrs. Obama reacts while her husband confesses what their favorite junk foods are to children attending the Kids State Dinner. The first lady likes french fries and the president likes chips and guacamole.
The Obamas hold hands as they listen to Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) during an event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches, at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 2015.
Mrs. Obama joins Taiko drummers at center drum prior to a tour of the Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine in Kyoto, Japan, on March 20, 2015.
The Obamas pose for a “Gimme Five” initiative photo in the East Room of the White House during the annual Easter Egg Roll, on April 6, 2015.
Britain’s Prince Harry laughs while Mrs. Obama reacts to catching a basketball at the end of a game played by wounded warriors at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in October 2015.
Dancing in the White House during a student workshop honoring the history of Broadway.
Mrs. Obama reads “The Night Before Christmas” with Miss Piggy during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington.
Mrs. Obama waves from her box before President Obama gives his final State of the Union address on January 12, 2016.
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