Chicago, Jan 11 (IANS): Outgoing US President Barack Obama's elder daughter Malia was moved to tears as her father dedicated several minutes of his farewell address here to thank his wife Michelle Obama for her contribution as the First Lady.

Malia, who sat next to her mother, was seen with moist eyes as an emotional POTUS called Michelle his "best friend".

The First Lady received a standing ovation from the 20,000 strong crowd in Obama's adoptive city of Chicago, and a visibly overwhelmed President was seen wiping away tears when he addressed his wife as "girl of the south side".

"For the past 25 years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend."

"You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humour," he told Michelle.

"You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud," he continued.

Turning to his children, the "proud dad" said: "Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women.

"You are smart and beautiful, but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful, and you are full of passion. And you wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad."

At 15, Sasha has spent over half of her life in the White House, while at 18, Malia has spent a little under half her life living in the spotlight that the first family endures.