0 Talk

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is the wife of the forty-fourth President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady of the United States.

In May 2009, Obama visited the set of Sesame Street, where she recorded a PSA about healthy eating and nutrition with Elmo. She also filmed a segment with Elmo and the Kids (including Fatima Ptacek) about planting a garden to grow fresh vegetables. (First: Episode 4187) Visiting the U.S. Mission to the United Nations later that day, she talked about her experience: "I never thought I'd be on Sesame Street with Elmo and Big Bird and I was thrilled. I'm still thrilled. I'm on a high. I think it's probably the best thing I've done at the White House." ^[1] She and her daughters, Malia and Sasha, visited the Kaufman Astoria Studios, unofficially, in March 2010.^[2]

Obama is not the first First Lady to visit Sesame Street. Barbara Bush read a book with Big Bird and the Count in 1990, Hillary Clinton talked to Big Bird and Rosita about healthy living tips in 1993, and Laura Bush read a book with Big Bird and Elmo in 2003.

Obama also appeared with cast members of Sesame Street during the 2010 White House Easter Egg Roll.

In 2011, Mrs. Obama appeared alongside Dr. Jill Biden, Elmo and Rosita in a series of public service announcements promoting support to military families.

Kermit the Frog appeared at the White House for The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on December 1, 2011, and read "A Visit from St. Nicholas" with Mrs. Obama, which was broadcast on PBS stations nationwide.