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Barack & Michelle Obama: A Complete Relationship Timeline

By:
September 26, 2022 11:56AM EDT
Michelle Obama, Barack Obama
Alex Brandon/AP/Shutterstock

Barack and Michelle Obama’s love story is truly one for the books. The duo met in 1989 at the Chicago law firm they both worked at and quickly fell for one-another. The future power couple married on October 3, 1992 and welcomed daughter Malia in 1998. Their second girl, Sasha, was born in 2001. Michelle has been the epitome of a supportive wife, always at President Obama’s side throughout his meteoric rise through the world of politics. She became the First Lady of the United States when he took office in 2008. Since leaving the White House, the duo has worked on podcasts and documentaries, in addition to each releasing their own books.

 

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Michelle & Barack Obama: A Relationship Timeline

Michelle & Barack Obama: A Relationship Timeline
AP

Barack and Michelle Obama’s love story is truly one for the books. The duo met in 1989 at the Chicago law firm they both worked at and quickly fell for one-another. The future power couple married on October 3, 1992 and welcomed daughter Malia in 1998. Their second girl, Sasha, was born in 2001.

Michelle has been the epitome of a supportive wife, always at President Obama’s side throughout his meteoric rise through the world of politics. She became the First Lady of the United States when he took office in 2008. Since leaving the White House, the duo has worked on podcasts and documentaries, in addition to each releasing their own books.

Over the years the Obamas have shared so many sweet moments. Here, President Barack Obama kisses first lady Michelle Obama as they await the arrival of President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at the White House in Washington.

Want to learn more about Barack and Michelle Obama’s romance? Scroll through the gallery for a complete relationship timeline.

December 28, 2020, 1:55PM
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Barack & Michelle Obama’s Beginning

Barack & Michelle Obama’s Beginning
AP

Barack Obama, District One Democratic candidate for Congress, delivers his concession speech to supporters while his wife Michelle tends to their daughter Malia during a post-primary function Tuesday, March 21, 2000, in Chicago.

Barack was 28 when he was introduced to Michelle Robinson, then 25, at their law firm Sidley Austin LLP. She was assigned to be his mentor. “Because I went to Harvard and he went to Harvard, and the firm thought, ‘Oh, we’ll hook these two people up,'” Michelle told ABC News in 2008.

Though she initially rebuffed his advances, they would start dating and were engaged by 1991. He remembered, “I asked her out. She refused. I kept asking. She kept refusing. Finally, I offered to quit my job, and at last, she relented.”

The couple wed in 1992 in front of 200 guests at Chicago’s Trinity United. They would welcome daughter Malia in 1998. Sasha would come in 2000, just shy of 3 years later.

December 28, 2020, 1:46PM
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The Obamas Political Career Kicks Off

The Obamas Political Career Kicks Off
AP

The Obamas walk an 18-month-old Malia around Chicago on Illinois primary day, March 21, 2000. This was at the start of his time representing the 13th district in the Illinois Senate from 1997 until 2004.

Barack has always been vocal about Michelle’s impact. He gushed about his wife with Chicago magazine in 2004. “She’s gorgeous. She’s strong and smart and grounded,” he said. “She’s brutally honest, which is good for keeping my head on straight.”

December 28, 2020, 1:46PM
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Barack Obama Win The Senate Nomination

Barack Obama Win The Senate Nomination
AP

The Obama family spend time in their hotel suite on the evening of the US Senate Democratic primary Tuesday, March 16, 2004 in Chicago. He was on the brink of winning to state’s Democratic nomination for the US Senate.

 

December 28, 2020, 1:46PM
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The Obamas In 2004

The Obamas In 2004
AP

Then-Illinois Democratic Senate candidate Barack Obama leaves with his wife Michelle, daughters Sasha, front left, and Malia after voting at the Catholic Theological Union polling place in Chicago on Nov. 2, 2004. His political career was really taking off.

Michelle talked about balancing family life and campaigning in 2008, during Barack’s Presidential run. She told the New York Times, “I spend more time worrying about how do I keep their lives on track in the midst of this? Barack and I both do. How do we keep our traditions whole? Those are the day-to-day concerns.”

December 28, 2020, 2:18PM
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Barack & Michelle Obama In 2005

Barack & Michelle Obama In 2005
AP

Then-Senator Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive at the Legends Ball in Santa Barbara on May 14, 2005. The award ceremony was hosted by Oprah Winfrey in honor of women who paved the way in arts, entertainment, and civil rights.

December 28, 2020, 1:46PM
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Barack & Michelle Obama With Oprah

Barack & Michelle Obama With Oprah
AP

Oprah Winfrey joins then-Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama at a 2008 campaign rally in Columbia, South Carolina on Dec. 9. He would go on to win the nomination and then the presidency.

“If you were going to list the 100 most popular things that I have done as president, being married to Michelle Obama is number one,” Barack said during a State of the Union address in 2010.

December 28, 2020, 1:47PM
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Barack & Michelle Obama In 2008

Barack & Michelle Obama In 2008
AP

President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle acknowledge the crowd after he delivered his victory speech at his election night party at Grant Park in Chicago on Nov. 4, 2008.

President Obama had a special thank you for his wife after winning the White House in 2008. He told the world, “I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next first lady, Michelle Obama.”

December 28, 2020, 1:50PM
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The Obamas In 2012

The Obamas In 2012
AP

President Barack Obama joins his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. He had just defeated Republican challenger Mitt Romney, the former Governor of Massachusetts.

Barack talked about the impact Michelle has on their daughters with Essence in 2013. He said, “The great thing about the girls is they’ve got a wonderful role model in their mom. They’ve seen how Michelle and I interact — not only the love but also the respect that I show to their mom.”

“So I think they have pretty high expectations about how relationships should be, and that gives me some confidence about the future. I joke about this stuff sometimes, but the truth is they are smart, steady young women.”

December 28, 2020, 1:52PM
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Barack & Michelle Obama At The 2015 Kennedy Center Honors

Barack & Michelle Obama At The 2015 Kennedy Center Honors
AP

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C. on Dec. 6, 2015.

Michelle continued to be an integral part of President Obama’s career. “Obviously I couldn’t have done anything that I’ve done without Michelle … not only has she been a great first lady, she is just my rock,” he told Oprah in 2011. “I count on her in so many ways every single day.”

December 28, 2020, 1:59PM
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The Obamas & The Trumps In 2017

The Obamas & The Trumps In 2017
AP

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama pose with President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania at the White House in Washington on Jan. 20, 2017.

After eight years under the microscope, Michelle said she was happy to pass on the responsibilities of First Lady. During 2016’s United State Of Women conference, she explained, “I want to open my front door without discussing it with anyone—and just walk. I want to go to Target again! I’ve heard so many things have changed in Target! I tell my friends they’re going to have to give me a re-entry training for like, ‘OK, what do you do at CVS now? How do you check out?'”

December 28, 2020, 1:55PM
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The Obamas Unveil Their White House Portriats

The Obamas Unveil Their White House Portriats
Andrew Harnik/AP/Shutterstock

Former President Barack Obama kissed his wife former first lady Michelle Obama after the unveiling of their official White House portraits in the East Room of the White House on. Sep. 7, 2022. So sweet.

Michelle looked back on the couple’s time in the White House during a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres show in 2018. She explained, “The thing I learned in those eight years is that home is where we make. We were in the White House for eight years but it wasn’t the house — it was us in it. Our values and our love for each other. We just moved that to another house.”

September 7, 2022, 2:31PM
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The Obamas Have Dinner With Bruce Springsteen & Steven Spielberg In Spain

The Obamas Have Dinner With Bruce Springsteen & Steven Spielberg In Spain
Emilio Utrabo / MEGA

In April 2023, Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, joined Bruce Springsteen, his wife Patti Scialfa, and Steven Spielberg for a dinner in Spain. They looked fashionable.

April 28, 2023, 9:04AM
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The Obamas and Spielbergs travel to Barcelona

The Obamas and Spielbergs travel to Barcelona
Alejandro Garcia/EPA-EFE/Shutter

US former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive to the MOCO Museum in Barcelona. Steven Spielberg and former US President Obama are in Barcelona to attend a Bruce Springsteen concert.

April 28, 2023, 2:07PM
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Us Open Tennis

Us Open Tennis
John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama attend the 2023 U.S. Open in New York on Aug. 28 2023. The mom of two wore a denim dress paired with a dark colored cardigan, while Barack opted for a white button up shirt and simple beige jacket for the outing. 

August 28, 2023, 11:14PM