- The pop diva was entertainment of choice for the first lady's star-studded White House birthday bash Saturday night
- On Sunday, Beyonce released photographs from the event, including one of her cuddling the first dog and another of her and daughter Blue Ivy admiring the White House Christmas tree
- A host of A-list celebrities including actor Samuel L. Jackson, singer Smokey Robinson, basketball legend Magic Johnson and actress and singer Jennifer Hudson were in attendance at the party
- Bill and Hillary Clinton, Beatle Paul McCartney, former Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan and folk singing legend James Taylor also came
- President Barack Obama gave a touching tribute to his wife at the event, which finished up around 2 a.m.
It's well-known Beyonce and Jay Z are close friends with the Obamas, so it was no surprise that the pop diva was entertainment of choice for the first lady's star-studded 50th birthday bash Saturday night.
And on Sunday, Queen Bey released a collection of photographs from the event, including an adorable one of her with first dog, Bo, and another showing her and daughter Blue Ivy admiring the White House Christmas tree.
Michelle Obama's epic all-night celebration also featured a performance by pop star John Legend, and appearances by a host of A-list celebrities.
'Amazing. Incredible party,' political analyst Donna Brazile told CNN Sunday morning of the festivities.
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Furry friend: On Sunday, Queen B released a collection of photographs from the event, including an adorable one of her with the first dog, Bo, pictured
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Sparkles: Beyonce wore a gold, sparkly number to perform at the first lady's bash
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Stunning: Beyonce posted a picture of her getting made up for Michelle Obama's 50th party
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Warm: Beyonce posted a picture of herself with a jacket over her frock on her website
Few details about the festivities were revealed by the White House, but Brazile gushed about the exclusive party.
'Childhood friends there. People from the administration,' she said.
'The most important thing is, Beyonce performed, and I have to tell you, John Legend sang "Happy Birthday,"' said the longtime Democratic Party operative who ran Al Gore's unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2000.
She said President Barack Obama made a loving toast to his wife in front of the adoring crowd.
'The most moving tribute came (from) (President) Barack Obama, who talked about the woman he met and fell in love with,' Brazile said.
CNN reported that the party lasted until around 2:00 am, and was attended by actor Samuel L. Jackson, singer Smokey Robinson and basketball legend Magic Johnson.
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Close: It's well-known Beyonce and Jay Z, pictured with their daughter Blue Ivy, are close with the Obamas
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Performance: It was no surprise that the pop diva, pictured with her family inside the White House, was entertainment of choice for the first lady's star-studded 50th birthday bash Saturday night
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Cute: Another picture shows Beyonce and Blue Ivy admiring the White House Christmas tree
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Cute: Blue Ivy became acquainted with Bo ahead of the event
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Sweet: The famous tot lavished affection on the friendly first dog
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Blue Ivy: The toddler wore a sweet cream dress for the exclusive party
Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson was also on hand as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton, former Beatle Paul McCartney, former Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan and folk singing legend James Taylor.
Michelle Obama turned 50 on Friday to great national fanfare, including magazine interviews and television profiles of her life and her role in history as America's first African American first lady.
But the big celebration was put on hold until Saturday.
The White House revealed nothing about the guest list, but a few guests were caught on camera arriving at the event. President Obama told guests to come prepared to dance.
White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett would only say that 'people will move' at the party.
Beyonce's husband, rapper Jay Z, performed in Washington on Thursday night.
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Pals: Beyonce, pictured with the first lasy in January 2013, has been a strong advocate for President Obama and developed a friendship with both the POTUS and Michelle
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Actor Samuel L Jackson was all smiles as she arrived to help celebrate the First Lady's birthday
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Gayle (pictured left), who serves as editor at large of Oprah's O Magazine arrives at the party
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Magic Johnson arrives at the celebrations alongside fellow retired basketball player Grant Hill
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Instagram: Jennifer Hudson posted a picture of herself and her partner after the White House celebrations, saying 'We had such a good time with the 1st family in dc tonight !'
The party caused a stir when invitations went out earlier this month instructing guests to 'eat before you come,' a request that puzzled event experts such as Colin Cowie and André Wells.
'To ask people to "eat before you come" is not the way I would have done it,' party planner Colin Cowie said.
'I always think of the food. When it comes to making people feel welcome we give them great music, a well-stocked bar, and excellent food—and you do it abundantly.'
The first lady spent her birthday largely out of sight, though there was a Twitter post in which she showed off her new AARP card.
Michelle Obama has proudly joined the AARP as her 50th birthday marks her automatic acceptance into the seniors advocacy group.
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What a cutie: Michelle Obama, shown here as a little girl, turned 50 on Friday to great national fanfare, including magazine interviews and television profiles of her life and her role in history as America's first African American first lady
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New perks: The First Lady showed that she was happy to get her membership card for the AARP, a seniors advocacy group that includes all Americans over 50
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'I have never felt more confident': Michelle Obama's big 50th White House bash is Friday and while she says she's never felt better, she's unwilling to rule out any future nips or tucks
She said she was 'excited to join Barack in the 50+ club today'.
She can count herself among the senior advocacy group's 37 million members and the $16 she paid to enroll in the group buys her a year-long subscription to their magazine as well as discounts on cruises, Denny's meals and Kindle readers.
'Not only is Mrs. Obama helping to change and reshape the way people look at aging in this country, but she’s also showing folks how great 50 looks today,' AARP CEO A. Barry Rand said in a statement.
'I have never felt more confident in myself, more clear on who I am as a woman,' she said of turning the big five-oh.
Though her confidence is high, the first lady and perennial fitness advocate says she just can't rule out any future nips and tucks.
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Sweet moment: The President greeted Mrs Obama during an event about the importance of college
'Women should have the freedom to do whatever they need to do to feel good about themselves,' the first lady told People magazine in an interview hitting on Friday.
While she's not intending to celebrate with her first Botox injection or eyelift, she says one or the other could very well happen one day.
'Right now, I don't imagine that I would go that route, but I've also learned to never say never.'
Her message to women is to be healthy. Mrs. Obama says she has never missed a health checkup, including mammograms and Pap smears. She's also had a colonoscopy.
By her own account, she feels more relaxed now that President Barack Obama's days as a candidate are over.
'That layer is gone now. It gives me a little more room to breathe,' she told an interviewer.
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'Women should have the freedom to do whatever they need to do to feel good about themselves': Michelle smiles while President Obama speaks at an event a day before her birthday.
Nearly five years after assuming the first lady's role following a bruising campaign in which she sometimes became a target, Mrs. Obama is showing increased comfort in what amounts to a volunteer position with a host of responsibilities and outsized expectations. Not to mention a sometimes-unforgiving spotlight.
'I have never felt more confident in myself, more clear on who I am as a woman,' the first lady told Parade magazine when asked about the birthday. She started the celebration last week by spending extra time with girlfriends in Hawaii after her family's holiday vacation there. It was an early birthday present from the president. On Saturday, she'll be toasted at a White House party where guests have been advised to come ready to dance, and to eat before they come.
Second presidential terms can be freeing for first ladies, just as they are for presidents, because there is no next election to fret over. But while Mrs. Obama is over the hump of her first lady tenure, with just three years remaining, it's unclear if she will take on new or different roles.
Asked whether she has peaked at 50, Mrs. Obama joked that being first lady is 'pretty high up.' She said she's always felt that her life is 'ever-evolving' and she doesn't have the right to 'just sit on my talents or blessings.'
'I've got to keep figuring out ways to have an impact, whether as a mother or as a professional or as a mentor to other kids,' the first lady said, noting that daughter Malia, now 15, will be in college when she and President Barack Obama leave the White House in January 2017. Daughter Sasha, 12, won't be far behind.
'At that point in life, whoa, the sky is the limit,' Mrs. Obama said.
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