Michelle Obama.

Gulf Today Report

Last year, a report said former President Barack Obama’s A Promised Land’ sold nearly a million copies in the US and Canada in its first 24 hours. It was on course to be the best selling presidential memoir in modern history. The only book that came close to matching its record was his wife Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming which sold over 700,000 copies on its first day.

Now, the former First Lady is once again in the news, this time for her 57th birthday. But the celebratory note seemed to be subdued, due to the pandemic.

She shared a selfie on Instagram and reflected on the “difficult” past year, in a post for her 57th birthday.

 On her birthday Sunday, 17 January, she used the Instagram post to thank all of those who had wished her a happy birthday.

“Thank you all for the lovely birthday wishes!”  Michelle wrote, before encouraging her followers to “find joy in the smallest moments”.

“I know this past year has been difficult for us all on so many levels, so I just hope you all are taking care of yourselves and finding joy in the smallest moments,” she continued. “Love you all," according to the Independent.

 Along with the uplifting message, the 57-year-old shared a makeup-free black-and-white photo of herself, in which she can also be seen wearing her hair naturally curly.

 The photo was met with praise and well-wishes from thousands of Mihelle's 44.4m followers, with many applauding the former First Lady for showing off her natural beauty.

“Happy Birthday to a woman who is beautiful inside and out. Thanks for being bold and showing us your natural self,” one person commented.