To be able to do it in the warmth and - of the White House and to do it around people who do care about my kids in a country that has been respectful of my children and their privacy, it has been less stressful than I would have imagined for me.

Barack puts on his suit and tie [and] he's out the door — I'm getting my hair, makeup, the kids, I gotta brush their hair. You know, he's always looking like 'where are you? where are you going?' But yeah, you know — it's fun to look pretty.

Women should have the freedom to do whatever they need to do to feel good about themselves.

Success is only meaningful - and enjoyable - if it feels like your own.

My happiness is measured against my kids' happiness - when they're in a good place, I feel really good.

I can make choices that make me happy, and it will ripple and benefit my kids, my husband, and my physical health. That's hard for women to own; we're not taught to do that.

Throughout my life, I've learned to make choices that make me happy and make sense for me. Even my husband is happier when I'm happy.