• MICHELLE OBAMA photo | Michelle Obama

Credit: Marc Hom

Published: Wednesday April 29, 2009 08:00 AM EDT

2009

MICHELLE OBAMA

The First Lady says growing up in a supportive household helped make her the confident woman she is today. "I had a father and a brother who thought I was beautiful, and they made me feel that way every single day," says Obama, 45. "I grew up with very strong male role models who thought I was smart and fast and funny, so I heard that a lot. I know that there are many young girls who don’t hear it."