Michelle Obama Opens Up About Love, Leadership, And Her Inspiring Journey

In advance of her highly anticipated memoir, Becoming, the former first lady opens up to close friend Oprah Winfrey about love, leadership, and her inspiring journey from the South Side of Chicago to the White House and beyond

OPRAH WINFREY: First, let me just say: Nothing makes me happier than sitting down with a good read. So when I realised— in the preface!—what an extraordinary book was coming, I was so proud of you. You landed it. The book is tender, it is compelling, it is powerful, it is raw. Millions of people have been wondering how you’re doing, how’s the transition, and I think there’s no better example than the toast story. Can you share the toast story?

MICHELLE OBAMA: Well, I start the preface right at one of the first weeks after we moved into our new home after the transition— our new home in Washington, a couple miles away from theWhite House. It’s a beautiful brick home, and it’s the first regular house, with a door and a doorbell, that I have had in about eight years.

OW: Eight years.

MO: And so the toast story is about one of the first nights I was alone there—the kids were out, Malia was on her gap year, I think Barack was travelling, and I was alone for the first time. As first lady, you’re not alone much. There are people in the house always, there are men standing guard. There is a house full of SWAT people, and you can’t open your windows or walk outside without causing a fuss.

OW: You can’t open a window?

MO: Can’t open a window. Sasha actually tried one day—Sasha and Malia both. But then we got the call: “Shut the window.”

OW: [Laughs]