Michelle Obama's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Michelle Obama. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Michelle Obama, an American attorney and author, served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017 during Barack Obama's presidency. As First Lady, she championed numerous initiatives focused on promoting healthy families, education, and national service. Her work included the "Let's Move!" campaign to combat childhood obesity, the "Reach Higher" initiative to encourage higher education, and "Let Girls Learn" to expand educational opportunities for girls globally. Beyond policy, she became a popular figure known for her charisma, style, and advocacy for women and equality. Following her time in the White House, she wrote the memoir "Becoming", which became a bestseller.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

May 2006: Essence Listed Obama Among '25 of the World's Most Inspiring Women'

In May 2006, Essence magazine included Michelle Obama in their list of "25 of the World's Most Inspiring Women".

July 2007: Vanity Fair Listed Obama Among '10 of the World's Best Dressed People'

In July 2007, Vanity Fair recognized Michelle Obama as one of the "10 of the World's Best Dressed People".

September 2007: 02138 Magazine Listed Obama Among 'The Harvard 100'

In September 2007, 02138 magazine ranked Michelle Obama 58th in "The Harvard 100," a list of the most influential Harvard alumni from the previous year. Barack Obama was ranked fourth.

July 2008: Obama made a repeat appearance on the Vanity Fair international best dressed list.

In July 2008, Michelle Obama made a repeat appearance on the Vanity Fair international best dressed list. She also appeared on the 2008 People list of best-dressed women and was praised by the magazine for her "classic and confident" look.

2008: Speech at the Democratic National Convention

During her speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama portrayed herself and her family as the embodiment of the American Dream. Her keynote address was largely well-received, and her favorability among Americans reached 55%.

2008: Time Cover Selection

In 2008, Michelle Obama was chosen for Time cover.

2008: Woman of the Year

In 2008, Michelle Obama was named Woman of the Year by Time magazine.

April 2009: High Favorability Rating

After the 2012 Democratic National Convention, a CBS News/New York Times poll conducted in September found Michelle Obama to have a 61% favorably rating with registered voters, the highest percentage she had polled since April 2009.

2009: Most Fascinating Person of the Year

In 2009, Michelle Obama was named Barbara Walters's Most Fascinating Person of the year. She also outlined her four primary initiatives as first lady: Let's Move!, Reach Higher, Let Girls Learn, and Joining Forces.

2011: Increased Political Activity

Beginning in 2011, Michelle Obama became more politically active than she had been since the 2008 election, though avoided discussions about the re-election bid.

April 2012: Award from National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

In April 2012, Michelle Obama and her husband were awarded the Jerald Washington Memorial Founders' Award by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV).

2012: Campaigning for Husband's Re-election

In 2012, Michelle Obama campaigned for her husband's re-election with a more open public image. Commentators viewed her as the most popular member of the Obama administration.

May 2014: Obama's high approval rating

In May 2014, a CNN poll revealed Michelle Obama had a 61% favorable approval rating, while her husband had 43%.

2014: Siena College Ranking

In 2014, Michelle Obama was ranked 5th-best out of 39 American first ladies in a Siena College Research Institute survey that assessed them based on criteria like background, value to the country, intelligence, and leadership.

May 2015: Second Honor from the NCHV

In May 2015, Michelle Obama was again honored with the Jerald Washington Memorial Founders' Award by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV), accepting with Jill Biden.

2018: Most Admired Woman

In 2018, Michelle Obama topped the Gallup poll asking who is the 'most admired woman' in the U.S.

2019: Most Admired Woman

In 2019, Michelle Obama topped the Gallup poll asking who is the 'most admired woman' in the U.S., for the second year in a row.

2019: Time Cover Selection

In 2019, Time created 89 new covers to celebrate women of the year starting from 1920, selecting Michelle Obama for 2008.

2020: Grammy Award for Becoming

In 2020, Michelle Obama received the Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for her memoir, Becoming.

Becoming

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2020: Most Admired Woman

In 2020, Michelle Obama topped the Gallup poll asking who is the 'most admired woman' in the U.S., for the third straight year.

2020: Siena College Ranking

In 2020, Michelle Obama was ranked 3rd-best out of 40 American first ladies in a Siena College Research Institute survey that assessed them based on criteria like background, value to the country, intelligence, and leadership.

2020: Woman of the Year for 2008

In 2020, Time magazine retroactively named Michelle Obama as the Woman of the Year for 2008 as part of a review to recognize historically deserving women for years in which only men had been named Person of the Year.

November 2023: Named to BBC's 100 Women List

In November 2023, Michelle Obama was named to the BBC's 100 Women list.

2023: Emmy Nomination

In 2023, Michelle Obama received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special for the Netflix documentary film The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

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