**Michelle Obama Reflects on Life in the White House and the Significance of the East Wing**
Former First Lady Michelle Obama recently shared her reflections on living in the White House during her husband Barack Obama’s presidency from 2009 to 2017. In an interview with *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, the author and activist opened up about her experiences, particularly her fondness for the East Wing where her office was located.
During the interview, Michelle described the East Wing as a place filled with light and positivity—a refuge from the often intense environment of the West Wing. She explained, “That’s where life happened.” While the West Wing was the center of work, challenges, and hard decisions, the East Wing was where everyone could recharge. “That’s where children came, we had puppies and literally apples,” she said, emphasizing how important it was for the staff to have a space that reminded them of the reasons behind their efforts.
Michelle also shared insights into what it felt like moving into the iconic presidential residence with her family. “What I will remind people is that house is not our house. We never viewed it as our house. We were there for a time; we had a job to do,” she noted. “We always felt it was the people’s house.” She spoke about the responsibility each administration has to maintain and improve the historic building, respecting its legacy. “There was a whole standard of norms and rules that we followed to a tee, that we painstakingly tried to uphold because it was bigger than us,” Michelle added.
She emphasized the shared ownership of the space, saying, “That East Wing, that’s not my feelings about that, it’s not mine. It is ours.”
### When Did Michelle Obama Live in the White House?
Michelle Obama and her family moved into the White House in January 2009 after Barack Obama made history as the first African American president of the United States. The Obamas lived there throughout Barack Obama’s two terms as president, finally moving out on January 20, 2017. He was succeeded by Donald Trump, who won the 2016 presidential election against Hillary Clinton.
### Where Do the Obamas Live Now?
[Note: The original content does not specify the current residence of the Obamas. You may wish to update this section with current information.]
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Michelle Obama’s reflections offer a unique glimpse into the human side of life in one of the world’s most famous residences, highlighting the balance between the weighty responsibilities of leadership and the importance of lightness and family within the White House walls.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/866465/michelle-obama-confessions-former-life-inside-heart-white-house/