Widow Laurene Powell Jobs watched the speech alongside the First Lady

Jan 25, 2012 14:47 GMT  ·  By

The State of the Union address on Tuesday was not the first time U.S. President Barack Obama made a positive example out of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, but it was certainly the best one so far.

As widow Laurene Powell Jobs watched the speech from the balcony box of the U.S. Capitol's House of Representatives chamber, sitting next to First Lady Michelle Obama, President Obama said:

“You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work. It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work; and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.”

Laurene Powell Jobs had been personally invited to attend the address as a guest of the First Lady, reports say.