Michelle Obama, 50 and fabulous

US First Lady Michelle Obama exuberantly describes herself as "50 and fabulous."

The self-dubbed mom-in-chief turns 50 on January 17 and will hold her food-light celebration the next day, likely in the White House East Room.

President Barack Obama is planning a big dance party for Michelle at the White house on Saturday night, the Associated Press reports. Details are being kept secret, but rumours are swirling that Beyonce might perform. The White House has also raised eyebrows with the party invite telling those invited to wear comfortable shoes and eat before they arrive.

The celebrations come amidst Michelle Obama's extended absence from Washington and a flurry of renewed speculation about the state of the first couple's marriage

Like all first ladies, Michelle’s every move has been closely watched and mercilessly critiqued. She gets wide credit for carefully shielding daughters Malia and Sasha, now 15 and 12, from the spotlight and for displaying a strong sense of style

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First Lady Michelle Obama and students from around the country participate in the White House Kitchen Garden spring planting on the South Lawn of the White House

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Amanda Lucidon made this photograph of the First Lady as she participated in a Let’s Move! event on the South Lawn of the White House

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The First Lady reacts while talking with a youngster along a rope line with the President at Love Field Airport in Dallas, Texas

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Chuck Kennedy photographed the First Lady as she takes a 'selfie' with Bo, the Obama family dog, for National Geographic

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First Lady Michelle Obama reacts while talking on the phone to children across the country as part of the annual NORAD Tracks Santa programme. She answered the phone calls from Kailua, Hawaii, Christmas Eve

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President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughter Malia meet with Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot in the head by the Taliban a year ago, in the Oval Office

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First Lady Michelle Obama dances with students during a classroom visit at Savoy Elementary School in Washington, DC

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama record a message for ABC "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts, in the Library of the White House

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance together during the inaugural ball at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre in Washington, DC

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First Lady Michelle Obama plays hopscotch during the “Make A Difference” programme at the University of Mumbai in Mumbai

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First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a “Let’s Move!” and "Sesame Street" public service announcement taping with Big Bird in the White House Kitchen

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First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a tug of war with Jimmy Fallon in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House during a “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” taping for the second anniversary of the "Let’s Move!" initiative

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President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Malia, left, and Sasha, right, sit for a family portrait in the Oval Office

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Official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama in the Green Room of the White House

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