For Michelle Obama, being a mother to Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, is more than enough.
The former first lady recently opened up about parenting, marriage, and personal sacrifices on Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast.
Revealing that while her husband, former President Barack Obama, once dreamed of a bigger family, she felt their two daughters were just right.
Courtesy Annie Leibovitz.
Toddlers are work
“I was like, I think I’ve been lucky with these two,” Michelle shared.
“Barack was like, ‘We should have a third,’ and I was like, ‘Dude.’”
Kelce, who is expecting her fourth child, laughed at Michelle’s reasoning.
“Two good sleepers? I’d call it quits too.”
Michelle agreed, adding with a chuckle, “You know, I’m thinking we’re gonna get a crazy one.”
The conversation turned deeper when Michelle reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of early motherhood.
She admitted feeling an overwhelming sense of love but also an unexpected sadness.
“You hold these babies in your arms, and they are so perfect, so pure.
And then it hits you—all they have is you.
I remember thinking, ‘I love you so much, and I hope I’m enough for you.’”
A mother first, always
Michelle also joked about Barack being a girl dad.
“That’s exactly what he needed—a house full of women to keep him in check,” she quipped.
Why Michelle will never vie
While she’s often encouraged to run for president, Michelle made it clear she never will—because of her daughters.
“I wanted them to have the freedom of not living under a microscope,” she explained.
“When people ask if I’d ever run, it’s like… you have no idea the sacrifice your kids make when their parents are in that role.”
She reflected on how the White House years shaped Malia and Sasha.
“They already served their time. They’ve given enough.”
With her daughters now forging their own paths, Michelle is focused on what matters most.
Supporting them from the sidelines, living life on her terms, and embracing the joys of motherhood.
“The best job I’ll ever have? Being their mom,” she said.
