Barack and Michelle Obama have been married for 31 years. Here's a timeline of their relationship.

Talia LakritzJan 13, 2024, 02:56 IST

Barack and Michelle Obama in 2008.Alex Brandon/AP Images

Barack and Michelle Obama met at a Chicago law firm where she was assigned to mentor him.
They wed in 1992, have two children, and spent eight years in the White House.

Barack and Michelle Obama celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary on Tuesday.

"Happy anniversary, sweetheart! @MichelleObama, you're brilliant, kind, funny, and beautiful — and I'm lucky to call you mine," the former president wrote on Instagram.

The couple met in 1989 when Michelle was assigned to mentor Barack at a Chicago law firm. They wed in 1992.

Here's a timeline of the former first couple's relationship.

1989: Michelle Robinson was assigned as Barack Obama's mentor at their law firm, and he said he was immediately smitten.

She said it was their Harvard connection.Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

1989: They had their first date, which included lunch, a walk in the park, and a movie.

Michelle eventually said yes.Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

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

Barack and Michelle Obama in the Red Room of the White House.The White House

1992: They got married at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Barack and Michelle Obama on their wedding day.Obama For America/Handout/Reuters

1998: They had their first child, Malia Ann Obama.

Michelle Obama holds a young Malia Obama at a Senate campaign event.AP

2001: Their second child, Natasha Obama, was born.

Barack and Michelle Obama with their daughter Sasha in 2004.Scott Olson/Getty Images

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

Barack Obama is sworn into the US Senate in 2005.Alex Wong/Getty Images

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

Barack and Michelle Obama dance on the night of his inauguration in 2009.AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta

2012: Obama won re-election, and Michelle — whom the president called "my rock" — became an advocate for healthy eating.

The Obamas dance at the 2013 inauguration.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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

The Obamas and the Trumps on Donald Trump's inauguration day.JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

2017: After leaving the White House, they took an extended family vacation.

The Obamas white water rafting in 2017.AP

2017: As they marked 25 years of marriage, Michelle called her husband "the most extraordinary man I know."

Barack and Michelle Obama in 2017.Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

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

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

2021: They attended President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Barack and Michelle Obama at Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021.Rob Carr/Getty Images

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

2022: While promoting her new book, "The Light We Carry," Michelle revealed she "couldn't stand" Barack for 10 years after the birth of their daughters.

Michelle Obama speaks onstage during the Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry Tour in November 2022.Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Live Nation

2023: In an interview with Oprah Winfrey for "The Light We Carry," Michelle said that she and Barack differ in "how we show love."

Barack Obama gives Michelle Obama a kiss at the Obama Foundation Summit.Scott Olson/Getty Images

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