Having Her Say

Forever First Lady Michelle Obama opens up to ESSENCE about the factors that shaped her, the art of balancing career, marriage and motherhood, and what to keep top of mind when it comes to finding your Barack. (Oh, yeah, she went there)

- Jacklyn Monk

Since leaving the White House 23 months ago, Michelle Obama had been keeping a well-earned and relatively low profile: spending time at home in D.C. with the family, vacationing with friends, catching up on novels, and writing the story of her life—little Black girl from the South Side of Chicago grows up and becomes the first African-American first lady of the United States. But now, things are about to change big-time. With the November release of her much- anticipated memoir, Becoming, Mrs. Obama, 54, is stepping back into the spotlight to share her truth. Has her journey been extraordinary? Most definitely. But life ain’t been no crystal stair: Her father suffered from multiple sclerosis; teachers weren’t always on her side; campus life at Princeton University wasn’t always welcoming; and plenty of the president’s detractors were mean and racist.

“I’ve spent the last year and a half reflecting on my story as deeply and honestly as I could,” she says. “I want to inspire others to reflect upon and share their own stories—all the joys and sorrows, all the scars and renewals.” ESSENCE recently caught up with Mrs. Obama and posed a wide range of questions—including what’s next for her. And she answered! Prepare to be surprised, enlightened and inspired.

ESSENCE: What was one aspect of your life as a young adult that helped shape the woman you became?