Former US President Barack Obama became emotional during the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago as his wife Michelle Obama delivered a heartfelt speech remembering their journey, family and the values they built together. Michelle’s words about their life, daughters and Barack’s public service left the former president wiping away tears on stage.

Michelle Obama’s tribute leaves Barack Obama emotional

As Michelle Obama started her speech, she turned towards her husband and asked, “Barack you got to look at me.”

The former president responded with humour, saying, “No I’m not,” which brought laughter from the audience. “I’m gonna look down.”

The reason soon became clear as Michelle spoke about their families, the people who shaped them, their daughters Sasha and Malia, and Barack Obama’s time as president. She praised his achievements and described his “unshakeable moral fibre”, leaving him visibly moved.

At one point, Barack Obama wiped tears from his eyes as Michelle told him, “You always gave us the very best within you, and in doing so, you reminded the rest of us that we could too.”

Michelle said the centre was not only about celebrating a former president or an administration. She said it represented the stories, struggles and values that shaped them.

“Barack and I have always said that this center is grounded in our stories, but it has never been about us.”

She also remembered a promise Barack made early in their relationship.

“You told me all those years ago that you couldn’t promise me the world, but you could promise me an interesting life, and of course you outdid yourself and managed to give me both.”

Barack Obama thanks Michelle and family

After taking the stage, Barack Obama began his speech by greeting his hometown crowd.

“Hello Chicago. Sweet home, Chicago,” he said.

He thanked the former presidents and leaders attending the event and described former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden as “family”.

Turning his attention to Michelle, Obama joked about her emotional speech.

“To Michelle, she did me wrong. She wouldn’t let me see her speech. She knew she was going to mess me up, but she did it anyway,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

He then added, “But she’s always made me better and I could not be more grateful.”

Obama also shared a message for his daughters.

“And to Sasha and Malia, what can I say? You mean everything to me.”

The former president also reflected on his connection with Chicago, recalling his arrival in the city in 1985 when he was 23 years old. He said he travelled there in a secondhand car bought in New York and already knew he wanted to create change.

Pointed remarks without naming Trump

During their speeches, both Barack and Michelle Obama made remarks about democracy and American values without directly mentioning the current administration.

Michelle Obama said, “No one, I mean no one, has the right to sit in judgment of who’s American enough,” receiving applause from the audience.

She also urged people not to give up during difficult times.

“We simply don’t have the luxury or time to be cynical or complacent, to wring our hands in despair, to wait for someone else to fix the problem. Y’all, hope is all we have.”

Barack Obama spoke about the importance of “shared values that make democracy possible”. While he did not name the current president, his comments appeared to focus on broader political debates and concerns around democracy.

The event highlighted the former president and first lady’s personal journey, their connection with Chicago and their message about hope, participation and public service.