Barack and Michelle Obama have been married for 30 years. Here's a timeline of their love story.

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Kristin Salaky,Talia LakritzOct 3, 2022, 22:44 IST
Barack and Michelle Obama have been married for 30 years. Here's a timeline of their love story.

Barack and Michelle Obama in 2013.White House/Pete Souza

  • Barack and Michelle Obama celebrated their 30th anniversary on October 3.
  • They met at a Chicago law firm where Michelle was assigned to mentor Barack.
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1989: Michelle was assigned as Barack's mentor at their law firm.

1989: Michelle was assigned as Barack's mentor at their law firm.
She said it was their Harvard connection.Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Barack Obama, then 28, and Michelle Robinson, then 25, met at the law firm Sidley Austin LLP, where Robinson 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.

1989: They had their first date.

1989: They had their first date.
Michelle eventually said yes.Scott Olson/Getty Images

Though she was his mentor, that didn't stop the future President from asking Robinson on a date. She said she was not so keen at the time.

"Barack, about a month in, asked me out, and I thought 'No way. This is completely tacky,'" she told ABC News.

But eventually she relented, and the pair went on a date. They started by having lunch at the Art Institute of Chicago, taking a stroll, then ending up going to see the Spike Lee film "Do The Right Thing."

"He showed all the sides — he was hip, cutting edge, cultural, sensitive. The fountain – nice touch. The walk — patient," Michelle later told The Telegraph.

"Take tips, gentlemen," Barack added, smiling.

The date was eventually immortalized in the film "Southside With You."

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1991: They got engaged in a simple and sweet way.

1991: They got engaged in a simple and sweet way.
Barack was a little tricky.The White House

The pair got engaged at a dinner that was supposed to celebrate Barack passing his bar exam, they later told ABC News.

"And then the waiter came over with the dessert and a tray. And there was the ring," Michelle later said. "And I was completely shocked."

She told ABC News that he simply got down on one knee and asked. Michelle, of course, said yes.

1992: They got married.

1992: They got married.
Barack and Michelle Obama on their wedding day.Obama For America/Handout/Reuters

The couple was married on October 3, 1992. Michelle later noted that her husband's vows were a glimpse at what was to come.

"Barack didn't pledge riches, only a life that would be interesting. On that promise he delivered," she later recalled.

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1998: They had their first child together.

1998: They had their first child together.
Malia was aptly born on the fourth of July.AP

The pair welcomed their first child, Malia Ann Obama, on July 4, 1998.

2001: They had their second child together.

2001: They had their second child together.
Barack credits Michelle with being a great role model to their daughters.Scott Olson/Getty Images

Natasha Obama, known as Sasha, was born on July 10, 2001. Barack has said that he thinks that he and Michelle's love has been a great example to their daughters and that they've turned out to be smart young women.

"The great thing about the girls is they've got a wonderful role model in their mom," Obama told Essence. "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."

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2004: Barack was elected to US Senate, beginning their life in the spotlight.

2004: Barack was elected to US Senate, beginning their life in the spotlight.
This was the start of an incredible, political journey.Alex Wong/Getty Images

Though he was a state senator for several years, Barack became the US senator for Illinois in 2004, catapulting the family into the national spotlight.

Michelle was a notable figure on his campaign, but had her own impressive role as vice president for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals.

2008: Barack was elected president of the United States, making Michelle the US first lady.

2008: Barack was elected president of the United States, making Michelle the US first lady.
Michelle was popular on the campaign trail.Getty/Mark Wilson

Michelle eventually helped Barack become elected as the 44th President of The United States of America. Though he had a notable term, he once joked that being Michelle's husband was what people loved most about him.

"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.

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2012: Barack won re-election, and Michelle became an advocate for healthy eating.

2012: Barack won re-election, and Michelle became an advocate for healthy eating.
Michelle made a name for herself as first lady.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Barack won a re-election bid against Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election. By then, the couple was a household name, with Michelle being known for her healthy eating initiatives. President Obama noted that he couldn't have done nearly as much in his time in office without the support and guidance of Michelle.

"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. "I count on her in so many ways every single day."

2017: The Obamas departed the White House after President Donald Trump was sworn in on January 20.

2017: The Obamas departed the White House after President Donald Trump was sworn in on January 20.
The Obamas and the Trumps on Trump's inauguration day.JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Both Barack and Michelle made clear that although they enjoyed their time in the White House, they were ready for a bit of normalcy after eight years.

"I want to open my front door without discussing it with anyone — and just walk," Michelle told Oprah.

"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?'" she joked.

"All the women in my life are looking forward to being able to live a more normal life," Barack told Jimmy Kimmel.

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2017: They took an extended vacation.

2017: They took an extended vacation.
They had some well-deserved rest.Antara Foto Agency/REUTERS

Once they left office in January 2017, the Obamas took some well-deserved time off. They traveled to Italy, Hawaii, and Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, a spot owned by billionaire Sir Richard Branson.

2017: They celebrated 25 years of marriage.

2017: They celebrated 25 years of marriage.
They made it to a quarter of a century.AP

The political powerhouses celebrated 25 years together on October 3, 2017.

"Happy 25th anniversary @barackobama. A quarter of a century later, you're still my best friend & the most extraordinary man I know. I <3 you," Michelle tweeted.

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2018: Michelle released her memoir "Becoming" and embarked on a book tour, where Barack surprised her with flowers at an event in Washington, DC.

2018: Michelle released her memoir "Becoming" and embarked on a book tour, where Barack surprised her with flowers at an event in Washington, DC.
Michelle Obama meets an admirer on her book tour.Richard Drew/AP Images

While talking about her time in the White House with Valerie Jarett, Barack emerged from backstage with a bouquet of pink roses.

"You don't get this at every show!" Michelle told the audience.

"This is like — you know when Jay-Z comes out during the Beyoncé concert? … Like, Crazy in Love?" Barack said. "It's the same thing. It's just a little sample to enhance the concert."

2020: Barack released his own memoir, "A Promised Land," in which he wrote about his love story with Michelle.

2020: Barack released his own memoir, "A Promised Land," in which he wrote about his love story with Michelle.
Barack and Michelle Obama's memoirs.Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Barack dedicated his book to "Michelle — my love and life's partner, and Malia and Sasha — whose dazzling light makes everything brighter."

In "A Promised Land," he wrote about his courtship with Michelle and the early days of their relationship, as well as her initial opposition to his political ambitions.

"She was tall, beautiful, funny, outgoing, generous, and wickedly smart — and I was smitten almost from the second I saw her," he wrote.

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2021: They attended President Joe Biden's inauguration.

2021: They attended President Joe Biden's inauguration.
Barack and Michelle Obama at President Joe Biden's inauguration.Rob Carr/Getty Images

Michelle wore a plum monochrome look comprised of pants, a sweater, belt, and jacket that were all created by American designer Sergio Hudson.

2022: The Obamas made their first joint return to the White House for the unveiling of their official portraits.

2022: The Obamas made their first joint return to the White House for the unveiling of their official portraits.
Barack Obama kisses Michelle Obama after they unveil their official White House portraits.Andrew Harnik/AP

Barack said that Michelle's portrait captures everything he loves about her: "her grace, her intelligence, and the fact that she is fine. She is."

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