Michelle Obama - First Lady of the first ladies

ON Tuesday night Barack Obama hosted the last state banquet of his second US Presidency. His guests were Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife Agnese Landini.

At his side, as she has been so reliably, so very brightly and so conspicuously for both of his White House terms — and the 14 diplomatic galas he hosted — was his wife Michelle.

It has been at least half a century since an American First Lady has made such an impression, touched so many hearts, exuded such optimism, humanity, plain decency, warmth, and intelligence.