Michelle Obama says "it's time".

After eight years in the White House, the First Lady will be leaving the West Wing in January as one of the most popular presidential spouses America has seen.

Appearing on the cover of Vogue for the third time in seven years, Mrs Obama said she would miss waking up to the view of the South Lawn and the Washington Monument.

"But on the flip side . . . it’s time," she told the magazine in a wide-ranging interview. "I think our democracy has it exactly right: two terms, eight years. It’s enough. Because it’s important to have one foot in reality when you have access to this kind of power. The nature of living in the White House is isolating.”