Michelle Obama, an accomplished American lawyer, author, and former First Lady, has amassed a significant net worth of $70 million alongside her husband, Barack Obama. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Michelle initially worked at the law firm Sidley Austin in Chicago, where she specialized in intellectual property and marketing. Though her legal career was noteworthy, she soon shifted her focus to community engagement and public service.
Her career trajectory led her to become the Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of Chicago, where she worked on affordable housing initiatives. She later served as the Executive Director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, a nonprofit that trained young people for careers in public service. Michelle continued to focus on healthcare and community outreach as the Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she spearheaded volunteerism and community engagement efforts.
During her time as First Lady, Michelle advocated for causes such as education, military families, healthy eating, and poverty awareness. Her signature initiative, “Let’s Move!”, focused on reducing childhood obesity and promoting healthy living. This program included campaigns to improve school lunches, promote physical activity, and provide families with better food choices.
Michelle also launched “Joining Forces” with Dr. Jill Biden to support military families and veterans, as well as “Reach Higher”, an initiative encouraging young people to pursue higher education and career training. Her memoir, Becoming, published in 2018, became a bestseller and sparked conversations globally about empowerment, resilience, and self-discovery. Since leaving the White House, she has continued her advocacy work through the Obama Foundation and collaborates with Barack Obama on various media projects, including a multi-year deal with Netflix.
Michelle Obama’s Early Life
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson was born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in the South Shore neighborhood. Her father struggled with multiple sclerosis, which had an emotional impact on Michelle. To cope, she immersed herself in her studies and became an exceptional student. She graduated as salutatorian from Whitney Young High School in 1981 and attended Princeton University, majoring in sociology and minoring in African-American studies, graduating cum laude in 1985.
At Princeton, Michelle was active in The Third World Center, a group supporting minority students. She continued her academic journey at Harvard Law School, where she earned her law degree in 1988. While at Harvard, she worked with the Harvard Legal Bureau to assist low-income tenants with housing cases. Michelle is one of the few First Ladies to have earned a postgraduate degree.
Post-Law School Career and Family Life
Michelle’s career took a more public service-oriented turn after she graduated from Harvard Law School. The death of her father in 1991 and the passing of a close friend from cancer during this period influenced Michelle’s decision to make a broader impact on society. She worked at a Chicago law firm, where she met Barack Obama, and they quickly formed a personal and professional bond. Though initially reluctant to date Barack due to their work relationship, Michelle eventually fell in love, and the couple married on October 3, 1992.
Michelle’s work transitioned into public service as she became an assistant to Mayor Daley and later the Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of Chicago. She also worked as the executive director of Public Allies, a nonprofit that helped young adults pursue careers in public service. In 1996, she joined the University of Chicago as Associate Dean of Student Services, where she created the university’s first community service program.
In 2002, Michelle joined the University of Chicago Hospitals as Executive Director of Community Relations and External Affairs. Meanwhile, Barack was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, and the couple chose to remain in Chicago for the sake of their daughters’ education. In May 2005, Michelle became Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She continued to work there part-time until her husband’s presidential inauguration in 2009.
Michelle Obama’s Role as First Lady
From 2009 to 2017, Michelle Obama served as the First Lady of the United States. Initially, she was hesitant to embrace the role of campaigner, but over time, she became an influential figure. She frequently discussed topics such as race, education, and motherhood, and supported her husband’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012.
As First Lady, Michelle became an advocate for national issues such as childhood obesity, military families, and educational initiatives. She launched the “Let’s Move!” campaign to fight childhood obesity and promoted healthy eating habits. Michelle also initiated “Joining Forces”, supporting military families, and “Reach Higher”, which encouraged youth to pursue education beyond high school.
Michelle was also a strong advocate for working mothers, encouraging a better balance between career and family. She worked tirelessly to improve school lunches and supported LGBTQ rights. Michelle’s fashionable style also became a hallmark of her time in the White House.
Michelle Obama’s Book Deals and Royalties
In 2017, Michelle and Barack Obama signed a monumental book deal worth $65 million for the combined rights to their autobiographies, including three books in total. Michelle’s 2018 memoir Becoming sold 750,000 copies on its first day, and as of now, the book has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Income and Financial Milestones
The Obama family’s financial history reveals a substantial income. In 2000, their income was $240,000, but by 2005, it had grown to over $1.6 million. Over the next decade, their income fluctuated, peaking at $4.1 million in 2007. In 2017, after securing their book deals, their combined income shot up significantly to at least $65 million.
Real Estate Investments
The Obama family has made several notable real estate investments. In 2000, they purchased a $1.6 million home in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood. The 6,400-square-foot home featured luxury amenities such as a wine cellar and granite kitchen floors.
Upon leaving the White House, the Obamas rented a mansion in Washington, D.C., and in 2017, they bought the property for $8.1 million. The home spans 8,200 square feet and served as a temporary residence while their youngest daughter finished high school.
In 2019, the Obamas invested in a stunning $11.75 million property on Martha’s Vineyard. The 7,000-square-foot main house sits on 29 oceanfront acres and includes luxurious features such as vaulted ceilings, exposed steel beams, and impressive water views. The property also boasts two guest wings, a pool, and a private beachfront. The Obamas had previously rented this property as a summer home before deciding to purchase it.
