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Michelle Obama has spoken about how she knew she had fallen in love with Barack Obama on the first episode of her new podcast.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the former US first lady was going to be launching a new podcast on Spotify, named The Michelle Obama Podcast.
Soon afterwards, it emerged that Michelle’s first guest would be none other than her husband, former US president Barack.
For the debut episode of the podcast, the globally recognisable couple sat down for their first ever publicised one-to-one conversation.
They covered several topics during their 48-minute chat, including how young people approach politics; raising their daughters Malia and Sasha; and what it has been like to quarantine together amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Obamas also took a fond look back at the beginning of their relationship, having first met in 1989 while both working at a law firm in Chicago.
Michelle explained that the reason she fell in love with Barack was due to the way in which he perceived other people.
She began by saying: “You know at the core of everything you have done politically, what I know about you as a person and one of the reasons why I fell in love with you is...”
At this point, her husband interjected to quip: “It wasn’t just my looks, but that’s okay,” to which Michelle replied: “You’re cute you know.”
The Becoming author then continued, stating: “But no, one of the reasons I fell in love with you is because you are guided by the principle that we are each other’s brother’s and sister’s keepers. And that’s how I was raised.”
Speaking of the values that she holds dear in her life, Michelle said that she believes “it is not enough that I succeed on my own”, highlighting the importance of wishing success and happiness for others as well.
Created with Sketch.
Created with Sketch.
1/10 On the key to a successful marriage
“In our house we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and laughter is the best form of unity, I think, in a marriage.” On Live with Regis and Kelly in February 2011.
Getty Images
2/10 On not underestimating yourself
"You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own." In a speech to schoolgirls at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in North London in April 2009.
Getty Images
3/10 On inspiring young people
“I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong, so don’t be afraid. You hear me? Young people, don’t be afraid. Be focused, be determined, be hopeful, be empowered… Lead by example with hope, never fear, and know that I will be with you, rooting for you and working to support you for the rest of my life.” In her final White House address in January 2017.
Getty Images
4/10 On double standards regarding parenting
“When a father puts in long hours at work, he’s praised for being dedicated and ambitious. But when a mother stays late at the office, she’s sometimes accused of being selfish, neglecting her kids.” At the "Let Girls Learn Event" in Madrid, Spain in June 2016.
Getty Images
5/10 On the importance of diversity in film and TV
“For so many people, television and movies may be the only way they understand people who aren’t like them… I come across many little black girls who come up to me over the course of this 7½ years with tears in their eyes, and they say: ‘Thank you for being a role model for me. I don’t see educated black women on TV, and the fact that you’re first lady validates who I am.'” In an interview with Variety in August 2016.
AFP/Getty Images
6/10 On maintaining hopeful following the election of Donald Trump
“See, now we are feeling what not having hope feels like, you know. Hope is necessary. It is a necessary concept. What do you give your kids if you can’t give them hope?” In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in December 2016.
Getty Images
7/10 On motherhood
"My most important title is 'mom-in-chief'. My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the centre of my world." At the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.
AFP/Getty Images
8/10 On championing women's education
“Men in every country need to look into their hearts and souls and ask themselves whether they truly view and treat women as their equals. And then when you all encounter men in your lives who answer no to that question, then you need to take them to task. You need to tell them that any man who uses his strength to oppress women is a coward, and he is holding back the progress of his family and his country.” In a speech at the summit of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, July 2014.
Getty Images
9/10 On dealing with bullies
“When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.” At the Democratic convention, July 2016.
Getty Images
10/10 On the meaning of success
"Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. We realised that being successful isn’t about being impressive, it’s about being inspired." In a speech at the Oregon State University commencement, June 2012.
Getty Images
1/10 On the key to a successful marriage
“In our house we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and laughter is the best form of unity, I think, in a marriage.” On Live with Regis and Kelly in February 2011.
Getty Images
2/10 On not underestimating yourself
"You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own." In a speech to schoolgirls at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in North London in April 2009.
Getty Images
3/10 On inspiring young people
“I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong, so don’t be afraid. You hear me? Young people, don’t be afraid. Be focused, be determined, be hopeful, be empowered… Lead by example with hope, never fear, and know that I will be with you, rooting for you and working to support you for the rest of my life.” In her final White House address in January 2017.
Getty Images
4/10 On double standards regarding parenting
“When a father puts in long hours at work, he’s praised for being dedicated and ambitious. But when a mother stays late at the office, she’s sometimes accused of being selfish, neglecting her kids.” At the "Let Girls Learn Event" in Madrid, Spain in June 2016.
Getty Images
5/10 On the importance of diversity in film and TV
“For so many people, television and movies may be the only way they understand people who aren’t like them… I come across many little black girls who come up to me over the course of this 7½ years with tears in their eyes, and they say: ‘Thank you for being a role model for me. I don’t see educated black women on TV, and the fact that you’re first lady validates who I am.'” In an interview with Variety in August 2016.
AFP/Getty Images
6/10 On maintaining hopeful following the election of Donald Trump
“See, now we are feeling what not having hope feels like, you know. Hope is necessary. It is a necessary concept. What do you give your kids if you can’t give them hope?” In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in December 2016.
Getty Images
7/10 On motherhood
"My most important title is 'mom-in-chief'. My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the centre of my world." At the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.
AFP/Getty Images
8/10 On championing women's education
“Men in every country need to look into their hearts and souls and ask themselves whether they truly view and treat women as their equals. And then when you all encounter men in your lives who answer no to that question, then you need to take them to task. You need to tell them that any man who uses his strength to oppress women is a coward, and he is holding back the progress of his family and his country.” In a speech at the summit of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, July 2014.
Getty Images
9/10 On dealing with bullies
“When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.” At the Democratic convention, July 2016.
Getty Images
10/10 On the meaning of success
"Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. We realised that being successful isn’t about being impressive, it’s about being inspired." In a speech at the Oregon State University commencement, June 2012.
Getty Images
“I can say that my family, my neighbourhood, my notions of community growing up shaped that view, and shaped the choices that I made in life as I felt your experiences shaped yours,” she said to Barack.
During their sit-down conversation, the former residents of the White House touched upon how they would like to leave the world for their daughters, 22-year-old Malia and 19-year-old Sasha.
They expressed their hope that their daughters live “in a country that respects everybody and looks after everybody. Celebrates and sees everybody”.
“They’ll be fine. Right?” Barack said, to which Michelle replied: “Yeah. That’s absolutely right.”