Former US President Barack Obama was moved as his wife Michelle Obama saluted his work during the opening of the new Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago.
He appeared emotional as the former first lady hailed his achievements in office, including his efforts to expand healthcare and his attainment of a Nobel Peace Prize.
The latter remark was widely interpreted as a jibe at his successor, Donald Trump, who has coveted the same accolade during his own time in office.
Living former presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Joe Biden attended the event but Trump, who has long feuded with the Obamas, was reportedly not invited.
In her speech, Michelle Obama addressed her husband directly and salute his resilience.
“Barack, you gotta look at me. Eight years in the crucible and not once did you melt from the heat”, Michelle said.
Her husband had done “the people’s work”, she went on to say, touting his record on the economy and the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, alongside his achievements on healthcare and the Nobel prize.
“Additionally, Barack Obama had been held to a “higher standard” as America’s first black president”, she added.
She told her husband he had battled “lies about your birthright, your faith, your patriotism”.
When he took the microphone, Barack Obama addressed the emotions of the day, saying of his wife.
“She knew she was going to mess me up, and she did it anyway”, Obama said.
