Michelle Obama Reveals Why She’s ‘More Vibrant Than Ever’ in Her 60s, Spills Untold Secrets from Her First Lady Years

Michelle Obama moves with ease — fingers snapping, hips swaying, a carefree twirl or two — as music fills the studio outside Washington, D.C. Gone are the crowds, cameras, and critics of her White House days. At this photo shoot, dressed in a vibrant Jason Wu top, she’s dancing to her own rhythm — and to GloRilla, Beyoncé, and Cardi B playing in the background.

“Fundamentally, I’m the same person,” says Obama, who now simply prefers “Michelle.” “But with each decade, I’ve grown wiser. I’ve become more confident about who I am. This version of Michelle probably cares less about what other people think.”

That evolution is at the heart of her upcoming coffee table book The Look (out Nov. 4), co-written with longtime stylist Meredith Koop. The book explores how the former first lady of the United States approached her public role — one that demanded both authenticity and careful presentation.

“I purposefully didn’t talk about fashion and beauty during the eight years in the White House,” she explains. “I was afraid it would take over everything.”

Now 61, nearly a decade since husband Barack Obama, 64, left office — and with daughters Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, grown and independent — Michelle says it’s finally time to tell that story. “This is the first time where every decision I make is for me.”

Early Influences and Self-Confidence

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, her first exposure to beauty and style came from Soul Train. “I would just marvel at the moves, the colors, the style,” she recalls. “I thought, ‘That’s what cool is.’”

Standing 5’11”, she credits her late father, Fraser Robinson, for helping her embrace her height and confidence early on. “He was very clear: ‘You do not slouch. You are tall, you are beautiful.’ That’s where it started.”

Today, she continues to practice self-affirmation. “Every day I remind myself: I am smart, beautiful, kind, and worthy. That work never stops, especially for women of color.”

Finding Her Voice — and Her Style

As a young attorney, her “power uniform” reflected the 1980s corporate world — shouldered suits and pantyhose. “I don’t know what Barack saw in that look!” she laughs.

The White House, she says, brought a different kind of challenge. “Being first lady is a complicated assignment. You’re supposed to be inspirational yet relatable, authentic yet representational. As a Black woman, I had to make sure people could see my feminine side.”

Her fashion choices quickly became iconic. “I didn’t pay much attention to it then,” she says. “But if something I wore sold out, it meant regular women could afford it. That mattered to me.”

When criticism came — like over her sleeveless dresses — she met it with calm perspective. “It was pure hypocrisy. Jackie O wore sleeveless looks all the time. But politics will always find something.”

Moments of Joy, Big and Small

Michelle recalls how state dinners doubled as date nights for her and Barack. “It was like our wedding every time — getting dressed up, seeing his face when I walked out. Those moments were ours, even in all the chaos.”

Now, more than 30 years into marriage, date nights look simpler. “We’re happiest at home. A nice dinner, candles, music — that’s our thing. I can’t do dinner and a movie anymore; I’ll fall asleep!”

Motherhood and Personal Freedom

Raising daughters in the White House required balance. “We had a deal,” she says. “‘You’ll work with Meredith when dressing for public events.’ They were still kids, but when they were with us, they were on the job.”

These days, her own style leans toward comfort and authenticity — particularly her love of braids. “Braids mean freedom. I can swim, play tennis, and not worry about my hair. In the White House, I wasn’t sure if the country was ready for that. Wearing them to our portrait unveiling was a statement — that this, too, is beautiful and professional.”

Life, Aging, and Joy

“I’m not wincing at my gray hairs — but yes, I color them!” she laughs. “Fortunately, Black don’t crack.”

Her focus, she says, remains on wellness and gratitude. “I eat well, exercise, see my doctors, and take care of myself. My kids are thriving. My husband’s doing great. And for the first time in my life, every choice I make — this book, this interview — is mine. That’s freedom.”