First Lady Michelle Obama was born to Fraser and Marian Robinson and raised on the South Side of Chicago.

Obama began her career by attending Chicago Public Schools and excelling in academics. She attended gifted classes in grade school and graduated high school as class salutatorian prior to attending Princeton University. In 1985, Obama graduated cum laude with a B.A. in sociology. She went on to earn a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Instead of rushing to Washington, Obama returned to Chicago where she worked as a lawyer and city administrator. With her husband, then-State Senator Barack Obama, she helped organize the community as a community outreach worker.

In 2009, the Obamas made history by becoming the first African-American U.S. president and first lady.

As first lady, Michelle Obama worked to help military families and working women and to improve the country’s health. In 2010, she launched the Let’s Move! campaign to address the challenge of childhood obesity by promoting activity and health eating.

In 2011, Obama joined Dr. Jill Biden to create Joining Forces, a nationwide initiative to create employment opportunities for returning veterans. This year, Mrs. Obama began the Reach Higher initiative to help young Americans attend college.

Learn more:
The first lady’s official biography
Want to keep up with Michelle? Check out her Twitter page for updates from the White House.