Barack And Michelle Obama: A Timeline Of Love And Resilience

There has never been a first couple like Barack and Michelle Obama. The 44th President of the United States and his accomplished wife have been together for roughly 32 years and married for 30, celebrating their recent anniversary on October 3, 2022. After time as the State Senator of Illinois, two terms in the White House, and numerous book tours and family trips, this couple has endured so much and made history along the way. Let's take a look back at Barack and Michelle’s romance with this timeline of their relationship.

What You Will Learn

The origins of Barack and Michelle Obama's relationship.
Key moments in their marriage and family life.
The challenges they faced during Barack's presidency.
How they continue to support each other post-presidency.

Meeting In 1989

At just 25 years old, Michelle was working as an attorney in the Southside of Chicago when she was asked to mentor Barack. While their relationship remained strictly professional at first, Barack eventually built up the courage to ask Michelle on a date. “Once [Barack and I] started talking and became friends, he was very clear — just like, ‘I want to date you.’ At least in my experience up until then, men would be coy. They would, you know, sort of look around the room. It felt a little immature,” Michelle recalled.

“What struck me about Barack was his lack of pretense,” she said. “He was somebody who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to say it. He was like, ‘look, let me tell you, this is what I think about you: I think you’re special, I think you’re different, and I would like to take you out.’ And that was rare. And it was attractive.”

Wedding Bells In 1992

Three years after their first date, Michelle and Barack exchanged their ‘I dos’ on October 3, 1992. Over the course of their nearly three-decade marriage, the couple has reflected on that day in the fall when they pledged their love for one another in front of family and friends. “You can’t tell it from this photo, but Barack woke up on our wedding day with a nasty head cold,” Michelle shared. “Somehow, by the time I met him at the altar, it had miraculously disappeared, and we ended up dancing almost all night.”

Twenty-five years later, they are still having fun while also doing the hard work to build their partnership and support each other as individuals. Michelle expressed, “I can’t imagine going on this wild ride with anybody else.”

Welcoming Malia In 1998

**Barack and Michelle Obama with an infant Malia [AP].**

Six years into their marriage, Michelle and Barack welcomed their first daughter after years of difficulty conceiving. The former First Lady has been open about the struggles they faced, sharing, “I felt like I failed because I didn’t know how common miscarriages were, because we don’t talk about them.”

Thankfully, after IVF treatment, Michelle and Barack welcomed daughter Malia Ann Obama on July 4, 1998. The family-of-three would soon celebrate the arrival of another member!

Sasha Is Born In 2001

**The Obamas with young daughters Sasha and Malia [AP].**

On June 10, 2001, Sasha made the Obama family a quartet! Both Sasha and Malia have grown up in the spotlight, and their parents couldn’t be prouder of the young women they have become. “They’re reflective of their generation in the sense they want to make a difference and they think about their careers in terms of: How do I have a positive impact? How do I make the world better?” Barack said in an interview.

Barack and Michelle's focus on parenting has shaped their daughters into thoughtful individuals. The couple has always prioritized family, ensuring their daughters are grounded despite the fame that surrounds them.

Illinois Senate In 2004

By 2004, the Obamas were steadily rising to the national stage. Barack announced himself as the newly-elected Illinois State Senator in 2004, beginning to mold his legacy through his work with constituents. Michelle played a crucial role, supporting him while maintaining her career at the University of Chicago Hospitals.

As Barack's political career took off, their lives would soon be transformed by one of the biggest decisions he would ever make: running for President.

The 2008 Election

**Barack Obama wins the 2008 presidential race [AP].**

In November 2007, the couple made history when Barack was elected as the 44th President of the United States. For the first time in American history, an African American family occupied the White House. The pressure of this historic moment weighed heavily on their relationship, but they faced it together.

Re-Election In 2012

**Barack Obama is re-elected to the office of President of the United States [AP].**

After four years leading the nation, Barack was re-elected to a second term. However, he reflected on the struggles in their marriage during this time, sensing an undercurrent of tension due to the scrutiny they faced. In his memoir, he described how the pressures of politics and their public life intensified their challenges.