Former First Lady Michelle Obama has directly addressed and shut down rumors that she and former President Barack Obama are heading for divorce.
Speaking on Sophia Bush’s “Work in Progress” podcast, released on Tuesday, Michelle explained that her recent decision to step back from some high-profile political events was a personal one, and not a sign of trouble in her marriage.
Rumors about the Obamas’ relationship had been circulating, particularly after Michelle didn’t attend President Jimmy Carter’s funeral or President Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this year. Barack Obama attended those events solo, which led to some unfounded speculation.
On the podcast, Michelle made it clear that her choices were about prioritizing her own well-being. “I get to look at my calendar… and I chose to do what was best for me, not what I thought other people wanted me to do,” she said, emphasizing her desire for more autonomy after years in the public eye.
Michelle expressed frustration that her decisions were being misinterpreted. “People couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,” she noted. She stressed that her absence from those events had nothing to do with her relationship with Barack, her husband of 32 years.
While she’s taking a step back from certain public duties, Michelle remains committed to causes like girls’ education and the Obama Presidential Library. “It looks like whatever I want it to look like,” she said of her life now, balancing personal freedom with her ongoing work.
In related news, Barack Obama recently mentioned being in a “deep deficit” with his wife, which also fueled the rumors. However, that comment was later explained as part of their open and honest conversations about marriage.
Michelle’s podcast appearance has effectively put the divorce speculation to rest, reaffirming the strength of their partnership and highlighting her right to live life on her own terms.
