First lady joins ranks of 100 most beautiful people in the world

Published on Thursday 30 April 2009 22:54

SHE is already a fashion icon revered for her grace and sharp tailoring and now – in a list usually filled with actresses, models, and singers – Michelle Obama has been recognised as one of the world's most beautiful people.

In what represents the latest tribute to her sense of style, the US first lady has been included on the annual list compiled by the celebrity magazine, People.

Mrs Obama, who recently appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine, takes her place alongside Hollywood A-list stars such as Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie, and Kate Hudson.

Since her husband Barack's meteoric rise to the office of US president, Mrs Obama has been praised by commentators for her discreet and elegant style, exemplified by simple tailoring, sleek hairstyles, and a rigorous daily workout regime.

The first lady, 44, told the magazine that she felt beautiful because of the compliments she received from her family.

"I had a father and a brother who thought I was beautiful, and they made me feel that way every single day," she said.

"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 there are many young girls who don't hear it. But I was fortunate."

Her wardrobe is a mix of up-and-coming designer labels such as Isabel Toledo and Jason Wu, established names such as Michael Kors and Narciso Rodriguez, and off-the-rack pieces from US retailers J Crew, Gap and Talbots.

InStyle fashion director Hal Rubenstein said she typified the "modern American woman, not a political artefact," having shunned the trouser suits that her predecessors had favoured for so long.

Also included in the list is a host of her husband's political aides, prompting some commentators to accuse People of a bias towards the Democrats.

The entries include White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and treasury secretary Timothy Geithner.

The magazine's list is not ranked in any order, but the cover star for the special issue is Christina Applegate, the actress who won plaudits for being candid about being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 37-year-old, who stars in the American TV show Samantha Who? underwent a double mastectomy.

Several celebrities to have been included in previous versions of the list make a return, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Drew Barrymore.

New faces include Indian actress Freida Pinto, who starred in the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, along with her co-star, Dev Patel.

WHO'S WHO

Christina Applegate – actor

Michelle Obama – First Lady

Drew Barrymore – actor

Kate Hudson – actor

Michelle Pfeiffer – actor

Freida Pinto – actor

Angelina Jolie – actor

Halle Berry – actor

Christina Aguilera – singer

Eva Mendes – actor

Cindy Crawford – model

Ciara – singer

Jessica Stroup – actor

AnnaLynne McCord – actor

Jessica Lowndes – actor

Shenae Grimes – actor

Julianne Hough – singer

Taylor Swift – musician

Melissa Rycroft – reality TV star

Taylor Momsen – actor

Kristen Wiig – comedian

Vanessa Hudgens – actor

Blake Lively – actor

Megan Fox – actor

Amanda Seyfried – actor

America Ferrera – actor

Anne Hathaway – actor

Beyonce Knowles – singer/actor

Jessica Alba – actor

Rosario Dawson – actor

Kate Beckinsale – actor

January Jones – actor

Kerry Washington – actor

Reese Witherspoon – actor, below

Amy Adams – actor

Jenny McCarthy – presenter

Tina Fey – comedian

Jennifer Garner – actor

Taraji P Henson – actor

Gwen Stefani – musician

Lucy Liu – actor

Kate Walsh – actor

Marisa Tomei – actor

Mariska Hargitay – actor

Demi Moore – actor

Sheryl Crow – musician

Julia Louis-Dreyfus – actor

Patricia Clarkson – actor

Annette Bening – actor

Ann Curry – news anchor

Iman – model

Lorraine Bracco – actor

Christie Brinkley – model

Lynn Whitfield – actor

Milla Jovovich – actor

Angie Harmon – model/actor

Cheryl Ladd – actor

Norah Jones – musician

Carrie Underwood – musician

Dakota Fanning – actor

Kara DioGuardi – musician

Amy Poehler – comedian

Miley Cyrus – singer

Portia De Rossi – actor

Jane Seymour – fundraiser

Kim Kardashian – socialite

Barbara Mandrell – musician

Sara Ramirez – actor

Rashida Jones – actor

Kristen Dalton – model

Mary J Blige – musician

Leighton Meester – actor

McKey Sullivan – model

Rumer Willis – actor

Meryl Streep – actor

Becki Newton – actor

Lindsay Price – actor

Anna Friel – actor

Rihanna – musician

Gabrielle Union – actor

Brooke Burns – actor

Chyler Leigh – actor

Thandie Newton – actor

Eva Amurri – actor

Ashlee Simpson – singer

George Clooney – actor

Brad Pitt – actor

Zac Efron – actor

Channing Tatum – actor

Robert Pattinson – actor, above

Tristan Wilds – actor

Dev Patel – actor

Nick Jonas – musician

Joe Jonas – musician

Jimmy Fallon – comedian

Sam Kass – White House chef

Taylor Lautner – actor

Gilles Marini – actor

Blair Underwood – actor

Ryan Seacrest – presenter