Michelle Obama turns 50

Yea she looks great. I looked not exactly great but very good at 50. It's the last 10 years that's done the damage.

Yes, I agree Kiora. I know I shouldn't obsess but the wrinkles do seem to be gaining momentum at a rapid rate at the moment. My granddaughter seems to like them though. Calls them 'stripes' - like the Tiger who came to Tea?

I think she's a terrific woman in lots of ways but turning 50 is not exactly news is it? You'd think the media would have something more important to report.

well with all the money and expertise at her disposal , she SHOULD be looking good . something wrong if she did not !

Yes she looks great and would look beautiful with less than half the effort.

Two words Nonu – Barbara Bush.

But Barbara Bush didn't care what she looked like!

ANA , [wink ] & giggle

Then Ana, according to "Nonu's* post the must have been "something wrong". After all, she has far more money at her disposal than Michelle Obama.

I interpreted Nonu's post as implying that something would be wrong if, having spent all that money, she still didn't look good. Michelle Obama obviously cares a great deal about her looks and fitness - perhaps Barbara Bush had her mind on higher things...

I have a very dear friend who doesn't care what she looks like. She has no mirrors in the house apart from the bathroom. She once told me she gets up in the morning, showers, brushes her teeth and her hair and off she goes. I so admire her self confidence. Actually she is not unlike Barbara Bush to look at. She looks comfortable, she's happy and maybe not in a Michelle Obama glammy kind of way but I think she looks just wonderful. She cares deeply about lots of thing but not what she looks like.

To be perfectly frank , the first time I saw Barbara with George I thought she was his grandma , not his wife .

I think she looks great - and very natural. She is an intelligent woman who had a good career before she had to become first lady.

I remember my 50th birthday bash at work: one lass loudly asked me how old I'd been when I gave up sex. I told her I'd let her know when I found out!. She was utterly horrified - apparently in the eyes of 20-somethings I should have been long past it. The others loved my answer though - especially the men.

I didn't know what Barbara Bush (the one born in 1925) looked like so I googled her. I think she has a great face. Don't be so judgmental, absent. Why are "first ladies" judged on their looks?

Never mind. I just find it a bit nauseating.

Well, what a surprise that a healthy, intelligent woman looks fine at fifty, and would even without the posh frocks etc!

Snarl.

On another thread, let's talk about everyday sexism, shall we?

You hum it and we'll sing it thatbags.

happy birthday Mrs Obama. Wonder what her hubby bought her. Mine gave me a motor scooter which I had wanted since the year dot. Sadly I was too frightened to enjoy it.

Actually, just thought... it's not sexism/genderism because we (i.e. people) talk about Barack's looks as well. No, it's ageism. My point about a fit, healthy, intelligent woman looking fine at fifty stands. What else would she bloody look?

Yes, I think she's great too.

I'm a fan of Michelle Obama as well. She looks fit, healthy and confident. BUT I just read on line, there are rumours of marital tension, as a result of alleged affairs by Mr O. If so, no wonder Michelle O looked so teed off at the Mandela ceremony, with Mr O appearing to flit with the Danish PM.

I don't think it's ageist/sexist to discuss in a light-hearted manner the appearance of a public figure.

I like her but do think she wears a bit too much make-up and false eyelashes.

She's also not a shrinking-violet .... she's out there dancing, keep-fit with kids, chat shows, etc.

I think Barbara Bush looks like a distinguished intelligent woman. If her DGDis lucky she might inherit some of her looks. I don't like Michelle Obama's dress style .it's too studied for my taste. I was always a fan of the Dorothy Macmillan style of dressing. Sort of two fingers at the style police.

I think Barbara Bush looks like a really old granny , wonder what point she was trying to make ?

Well, she is 88, Nonu!

Now yes, but I am talking about years gone by.

She went grey prematuly but it slightly surprised me that given the youth
culture Stateside ,she didn't colour up.

She obviously didn't buy into the youth culture, and I salute her for it I must admit!