Who Gets to Sit With the First Lady at the State of the Union?

Each year during President Barack Obama's State of the Union, First Lady Michelle Obama makes a statement — and we don't mean the fashion kind. Those invited to join the FLOTUS in her box are chosen carefully, and the list always mirrors the president's message. Whether they're everyday Americans or prominent ones, these guests put a human face to headlines or policy. This year, Michelle has invited a diverse group, including CVS CEO Larry Merlo, astronaut Scott Kelly, Ebola fighter Dr. Pranav Shetty, State Senator Catherine Pugh, LAPD veteran Captain Phillip C. Tingirides, community college student Chelsey Davis, and Malik Bryant, a 13-year-old Chicagoan who made headlines after he wrote a letter to Santa asking for safety, eventually getting a response from President Obama. Expect to hear a few shout-outs to these individuals in the president's speech, a tradition Ronald Reagan started. Ahead of tonight's pomp and politics, let's see who had the honor in the past, and be sure to find out where to watch the State of the Union online.

2014
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2014

In 2014, Michelle was joined by a group that included:

  • General Motors CEO Mary Barra
  • The governor of Kentucky
  • The mayor of San Francisco
  • Boston Marathon bombing survivors Carlos Arredondo and Jeff Bauman
  • Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player
  • Fire Chief Gary Bird from Moore, OK
  • US Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg
  • Punch Pizza CEO John Soranno
2014
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2014

First Lady Michelle Obama gave Sergeant Cory Rembsburg a thumbs up after his story nearly moved Congress to tears.

2013
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2013

In 2013, Michelle was joined by the following:

  • Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple
  • Tracey Hepner, the wife of America's first openly gay military general, Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith
  • John Kitzhaber, governor of Oregon
  • Bobak Ferdowsi, NASA's "Mohawk Guy"
  • Kaitlin Roig, a heroic first-grade teacher from Sandy Hook Elementary School
  • Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton and Nathaniel A. Pendleton Sr., the parents of a girl who was killed in Chicago gun violence shortly after performing at the inauguration

Gun violence and technology were among the issues reflected in the guest list.

2013
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2013

Michelle gave Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton a hug during the speech.

2012
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2012

In 2012, Michelle Obama invited several well-known people:

  • Mark Kelly, US astronaut, husband of US Rep. Gabby Giffords, and gun control advocate
  • Laurene Powell Jobs, a philanthropist and the widow of Steve Jobs
  • Mike Krieger, the cofounder of Instagram
  • Debbie Bosanek, Warren Buffett's secretary who paid 35.8 percent in taxes compared to Buffett's 17.4 percent
  • Julian Castro, mayor of San Antonio, TX
  • Navy Adm. William McRaven, United States Special Operations Command
  • Air Force Col. Ginger Wallace, an openly gay service member

The guest list reflected priorities including immigration, gun control, innovation, income inequality, and gay rights.

2012
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2012

Michelle and astronaut Mark Kelly waved. Kelly's wife, Gabby Giffords, also made an emotional appearance on the floor of Congress that year.

2011
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2011

The 2011 State of the Union came just weeks after Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in Tucson. Michelle invited the following:

  • Mark Kelly, Gabby Gifford's husband
  • The former military doctor treating Giffords
  • John, Dallas, and Roxanna Green, the family of Christina-Taylor Green, the 9-year-old girl killed in the Tucson shooting

The theme of this State of the Union was national unity, and members of Congress decided to sit together, undivided by political party.

2011
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2011

Michelle shared a moment with Dallas Green, Christina-Taylor's brother.

2010
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2010

Obama's first official State of the Union took place in 2010, and Michelle's long guest list included the following:

  • Mark Todd and Kimberly Munley, both police officers
  • Mick Cornett, mayor of Oklahoma City
  • Jeffrey Brown, president and CEO of Brown's Super Stores, Inc.
  • A range of high school and college students who had benefited from government programs

Many of the guests had felt the positive effects of the Recovery Act, aka the stimulus bill.

2010
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2010

Michelle shared a moment with the two officers.

2009
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2009

While 2009 was not officially a State of the Union, since President Obama had not been in office for very long, he did address a joint session of Congress. This time, the newly minted first lady invited the following:

  • Lilly Ledbetter, the plaintiff in an employment discrimination case and namesake for the president's first piece of legislation, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
  • Ty'Sheoma Bethea of Dillon, an eighth grader from South Carolina who had written the president asking for help for her school
  • Leonard Abess, a bank executive who had given part of his fortune to his employees
  • Akrem Muzemil and Francisco Rodriguez, DC high school students

The guests reflected the president's message of recovery and fairness for the start of his presidency.

2009
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2009

The first lady hugged Ty'Sheoma Bethea, who had never been on a plane before heading to DC for the big address.