Michelle Obama Brings Jenna Bush Hager to Tears, Calls Her a ‘Role Model’ to Her Daughters

Michelle Obama recently joined Jenna Bush Hager on Today with Jenna & Friends to discuss her new book, The Look—and their heartwarming exchange quickly turned emotional.

The 61-year-old former first lady took a moment to express her admiration for Bush Hager and her twin sister, Barbara Bush Pierce. “It’s a pleasure to be with you again. I am so proud of you—really so proud of you and Barbara for being the gracious women that you are in the world, just showing up every single day,” Michelle said.

Bush Hager, visibly moved, responded through tears: “Now I’m crying. You know I cry at a drop. That’s the loveliest for you to share that with me.”

Earlier in the conversation, Bush Hager recalled a moment 17 years ago when her mother, Laura Bush, invited Michelle and her daughters—Malia and Sasha—to the White House for a tour before the Obama family officially moved in. Reflecting on that time, Michelle said, “You knew how unsettling it could feel to move from your normal life into that house. The fact that you guys took the time and showed them all the secret little fun things that little girls did—you really made them feel loved and seen. I’ve said this before, but I am forever grateful for you being that role model to them.”

Bush Hager agreed that she and Michelle have shared a “special relationship” since that day, adding that they’ve even become “pen pals” over the years—exchanging letters through life’s major milestones. Michelle fondly recalled, “We would exchange some wonderful letters because we were raised properly. You were one of the few people your age who would actually respond to a letter.”

Now a mother of three—Mila, 12, Poppy, 10, and Hal, 6—with husband Henry Chase Hager, Bush Hager has continued to stay close to Michelle. The two also share a unique connection through Bush Hager’s father, former President George W. Bush, whose warm friendship with Michelle has become well known.

“We have a relationship, but there probably is no more beloved relationship than you and my dad. People long for that,” Bush Hager said.

Michelle smiled and replied, “That’s how he makes me feel when we’re together—that I just want to hug him. He keeps me entertained when we’re seated together.”