After months of swirling speculation, former First Lady Michelle Obama has finally addressed rumors surrounding her marriage to former President Barack Obama.
Her absence from two major political events — the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of Donald Trump — fueled concerns that the Obamas were facing marital difficulties. Now, Michelle is setting the record straight.
In a recent episode of Work in Progress, a podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush, the 61-year-old candidly opened up about her decisions and how they’ve been misinterpreted by the public.
Her decision not to attend Jimmy Carter’s funeral in December 2024 raised eyebrows, particularly because all other living former presidents were in attendance alongside their spouses — except Michelle.
Adding fuel to the fire, she was also notably absent from President Trump’s inauguration the following month. As questions mounted, it was eventually revealed that Michelle was vacationing in Hawaii during Carter’s funeral, a choice that drew attention and criticism.
“I Made These Decisions for Myself,” Michelle Says
Addressing the speculation head-on, Michelle made it clear on the podcast that her actions were personal choices — not signs of marital strife.
“That’s the thing that we as women struggle with — disappointing people,” she explained. “So much so that when I made decisions for myself, people assumed that my marriage was in trouble. They couldn’t imagine I was simply choosing what was right for me.”
She criticized the way society often misjudges women, especially in public life. “It couldn’t be that a grown woman was making independent decisions—it had to mean something was wrong.”
Since leaving the White House in 2016, Michelle has prioritized her own identity and personal growth, something she says she’s still actively exploring. “Now is the time for me to start asking myself who I truly want to be every day,” she said, noting that her life today looks exactly “how I want it to look.”
Public Absence Fuels Speculation
Michelle and Barack, married since 1992, have made fewer public appearances together in recent years, further fueling speculation.
One image that caught public attention was Barack’s birthday post for Michelle, showing the couple seated apart in what appeared to be a basement dinner setting — sparking concern and commentary on social media.
In February, Michelle was also photographed deep in conversation with her brother, Craig Robinson, with Barack nowhere in sight. The moment led to further speculation, especially as Michelle and Craig launched a joint podcast, releasing two episodes in March.
Past Challenges and Honest Reflections
Michelle has long been candid about the ups and downs of her marriage. In her podcast debut, she joked about one ongoing issue — Barack’s habitual lateness — saying, “He’s improved over 30 years of marriage, but that was a ‘you must adjust.’”
Barack, for his part, has also acknowledged the toll his presidency took on their relationship. Speaking at Hamilton College, he admitted he’s been trying to make up for lost time.
“I was in a deep deficit with my wife, so I have been trying to dig myself out of that hole by doing occasionally fun things,” he said, referring to his post-presidency efforts to reconnect.”
Michelle echoed similar sentiments in past interviews, including a viral conversation on Revolt TV, where she reflected on the early years of their parenting journey. “People think I’m being catty when I say this, but there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband,” she revealed. “And guess when it happened? When the kids were little.”
She emphasized that marriage is rarely balanced and often requires endurance through tough times. “I would take 10 bad years over 30 — it’s just how you look at it,” she added.
Today, Michelle remains committed to causes she championed as First Lady, particularly education for girls and empowerment initiatives. Though she no longer lives under the constant microscope of political life, she’s aware that her decisions still spark intense public scrutiny.
