Barack & Michelle Obama Then & Now: Photos of the Couple Throughout Their Marriage

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October 3, 2025 12:00PM EDT

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 20: Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama appear on stage in between their addresses on the second night of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Barack and Michelle Obama are one of the most prominent political couples in history. See some of their best photos here.

Barack and Michelle Obama have one of the most admired love stories in modern American history. The two first met in 1989 while working at a Chicago law firm, where Michelle was assigned as Barack’s mentor. Their friendship quickly turned into romance, and by October 1992, they were married in Chicago. Over the years, the Obamas built a life rooted in partnership, raising their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, while balancing public service and family.

When Barack entered the political arena, Michelle was by his side every step of the way. From his early Senate campaigns to his historic election as the 44th President of the United States in 2008, she became a steady presence, championing causes from healthy eating to girls’ education worldwide. Together, they redefined what it meant to be a First Couple, bringing warmth, relatability, and undeniable charisma to the White House during Barack’s two terms.

Scroll through the gallery to see photos of the couple below.

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Barack and Michelle Obama at a 2000 congressional run speech

Barack and Michelle Obama at a 2000 congressional run speech — Barack Obama as seen with wife Michelle and young daughter Malia as he delivers his concession speech to supporters after an unsuccessful run for the District One Democratic candidate for Congress, losing to Incumbent Congressman Bobby Rush. That would be the last time Barack would be giving a concession speech, as he went on to win the U.S. Senate seat for Illinois in 2004. After an electrifying speech at the 2005 DNC, he became a rising star in the party and declared his run for the White House in 2007. He won the party’s nomination in 2008 and beat Sen. John McCain in the general election in Nov. 2008. Barack became America’s first Black president, and Michelle our first Black First Lady.

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The Obamas cast their vote for Barack’s U.S. Senate run

The Obamas cast their vote for Barack’s U.S. Senate run — Then-Illinois Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama with his wife Michelle and young daughters Malia, left, and Sasha as he gets in line to cast his vote on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, in Chicago. Spoiler alert — he won!

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Barack Obama and family celebrate his election to the U.S. Senate

Barack Obama and family celebrate his election to the U.S. Senate — Illinois Senator-elect Barack Obama, holds his daughter Malia, and his wife Michelle, holds their daughter Sasha during the celebration after his election to the U.S. Senate on Nov. 2, 2004. What a moment!

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The Obamas attend Oprah’s Legends Ball

The Obamas attend Oprah’s Legends Ball — Then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive at Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball in Santa Barbara, CA on May 14, 2005. The couple already showed how well they could go glam.

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Barack and Michelle Obama take the stage for a speech in 2008

Barack and Michelle Obama take the stage for a speech in 2008 — Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrives with his Michelle Obama to speak at a primary night rally in St. Paul, MN on June 3, 2008. That evening he became the presumptive party nominee, securing enough delegates to win the nomination.

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Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate his 2008 speech at the DNC

Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate his 2008 speech at the DNC — Then Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., hugs his wife, Michelle Obama, after giving his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Aug. 28, 2008. So sweet!

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Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden greet supporters

Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden greet supporters — President-elect Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and Jill Biden rally the crowd at a stop on their inaugural train tour in Baltimore, Md. Jan. 17, 2009. It also happened to be Michelle’s 45th birthday.

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Barack and Michelle Obama look so in love during an inaugural ball dance

Barack and Michelle Obama look so in love during an inaugural ball dance — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance together at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. The couple would continue to look so in love during their eight years in the White House.

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Barack and Michelle Obama hold hands along his inaugural parade route

Barack and Michelle Obama hold hands along his inaugural parade route — President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hold hands as they walk the inaugural parade route in Washington on Jan. 20, 2009. Michelle would become known for her amazing style sense.

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Barack and Michelle Obama pose with pal Oprah Winfrey

Barack and Michelle Obama pose with pal Oprah Winfrey — In this Dec. 3, 2009 photo released by the White House, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose with pal Oprah Winfrey in the Blue Room of the White House. Oprah was there to interview the couple for a special, ‘Christmas at the White House,’ which aired on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009 on ABC. It was the Obamas’ first Christmas in the White House.

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Th Obamas pose with Queen Elizabeth II and Britain’s Prince Philip

Th Obamas pose with Queen Elizabeth II and Britain’s Prince Philip — President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a reciprocal dinner at Winfield House in London on May 25, 2011. They waved to cameras.

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Barack Obama and Michelle Obama look glam at an awards dinnner

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama look glam at an awards dinnner — President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 46th Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner in Washington on Sept. 17, 2016. They looked incredible!

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Barack Obama is joined by wife Michelle and daughter Malia for his farewell address

Barack Obama is joined by wife Michelle and daughter Malia for his farewell address — President Barack Obama waves as he is joined by First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia Obama after giving his presidential farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago on Jan. 10, 2017. His emotional and powerful speech brought tears to the eyes of many, including Michelle and Malia!

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Barack Obama gives wife Michelle a sweet kiss

Barack Obama gives wife Michelle a sweet kiss — President Barack Obama gives Michelle Obama a kiss as they wait for President-elect Donald Trump and wife Melania to arrive at the White House before Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. So loving!

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Barack and Michelle Obama with their young daughters Malia and Sasha Obama

Barack and Michelle Obama with their young daughters Malia and Sasha Obama — Then-Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, wave after his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in Aug. 2008. So cute!

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Barack and Michelle Obama hug at the 2012 Democratic National Convention

Barack and Michelle Obama hug at the 2012 Democratic National Convention — President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hug following the President’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. So wonderful!

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Barack and Michelle Obama wave as they board Air Force One

Barack and Michelle Obama wave as they board Air Force One — President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave as they board Air Force One before leaving Charlotte, N.C., after the Democratic National Convention on, Sept. 7, 2012. They looked so happy!

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Barack Obama and family light up the National Christmas Tree

Barack Obama and family light up the National Christmas Tree — President Barack Obama with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia, 12, and Sasha, 9, smile as they push the button to light up the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, just south of the White House on Dec. 9, 2010. What a cute moment!

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Barack and Michelle Obama dance at one of his 2013 Inaugural balls

Barack and Michelle Obama dance at one of his 2013 Inaugural balls — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance as singer Jennifer Hudson serenades them with Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ at the Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center on Jan. 21, 2013. Michelle is wearing a red Jason Wu gown.

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The Obamas make a visit to a North Dakota Indian reservation

The Obamas make a visit to a North Dakota Indian reservation — President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet a young dancer after an honoring song inside the Cannon Ball, N.D., community pow wow. He became only the third U.S. sitting president in eight decades to set foot in Indian Country.

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Barack and Michelle Obamas speak at their foundation’s summit

Barack and Michelle Obamas speak at their foundation’s summit — Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama appear at the Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago on Oct. 31, 2017, 10 months after leaving office. They were glowing!

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Barack and ,Michelle Obama introduce Chance The Rapper

Barack and ,Michelle Obama introduce Chance The Rapper — Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama appear on stage during a community concert at the Obama Foundation Summit on Nov. 1, 2017 in Chicago. Chance The Rapper appeared at the event.

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President Barack Obama and wife Michelle on a State Visit to the United Kingdom

President Barack Obama and wife Michelle on a State Visit to the United Kingdom — President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome Queen Elizabeth II at the U.S. Ambassador’s Winfield House in London on May 25, 2011. Historic!

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Barack Obama and family celebrate his 2008 win in the Iowa Caucus

Barack Obama and family celebrate his 2008 win in the Iowa Caucus — Then Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., with wife Michelle and daughters Malia ans Sasha, wave to supporters at an rally in Des Moines, Iowa. It was after winning the Iowa democratic presidential caucus on Jan. 3, 2008.

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Barack Obama gets a supportive hug from his wife Michelle

Barack Obama gets a supportive hug from his wife Michelle — So in love! Then-Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gets a hug from his wife, Michelle, upon arrival at his election night New Hampshire presidential primary rally on Jan. 8, 2008.

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Obama’s legacy

Obama’s legacy — Then-President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle Obama and daughters, Malia, and Sasha wave to the crowd at the election night rally in Chicago on Nov. 4, 2008, when America elected it’s first Black president. What a night!

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Barack and Michelle Obama visit a memorial for terror attack victims in India

Barack and Michelle Obama visit a memorial for terror attack victims in India — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama make a statement after their Nov. 6, 2010 visit the memorial for the Nov. 26, 2008 terror attack victims at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel in Mumbai, India. It was a special moment.

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The Obama White Housed Portraits Are Unveiled

The Obama White Housed Portraits Are Unveiled — President Barack Obama plants a kiss on former first lady Michelle Obama’s cheek during a visit to the White House on Sep. 7, 2022. They were at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to unveil their official White House portraits in the East Room.

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