Former President Barack Obama was seen dining without his wife, Michelle, on Friday, April 25, 2025, which has led to continued speculation about their marriage. Obama, 63, dined with his daughters, Sasha and Malia, at Hamasuku, a high-end Japanese restaurant in Santa Monica, California.
The former president was wearing his wedding ring as he joined his daughters at the restaurant. Since 2022, the family has frequented the establishment, as both Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, reside in Los Angeles, California.
This outing with his daughters comes amid ongoing rumors regarding the Obamas’ 32-year marriage. Speculation began earlier this year when Michelle was absent from two major events. In January, Barack Obama attended former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral alone and also attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration without her that same month.
According to Michelle’s advisers, as reported by CNN, she had a scheduling conflict and remained in Hawaii during Carter’s funeral. Additionally, some speculated she avoided attending Trump’s inauguration due to his 2024 election win over Kamala Harris, the Obamas’ favored candidate.
Michelle Obama has addressed the divorce rumors directly. “They 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 told Sophia Bush on the “Work in Progress” podcast. She clarified that her absences were due to personal decisions rather than marital issues, emphasizing her desire for independence after years of public service.
Speaking at Hamilton College on April 3, Barack Obama discussed how he and Michelle have focused on spending more quality time together since leaving the White House. He admitted that his presidency put a strain on their relationship, acknowledging he had fallen behind in giving her the attention she deserved. To address this, he has been planning enjoyable activities to help them reconnect now that their lives are less dictated by public obligations.
Despite occasional separate appearances, Barack and Michelle continue to publicly express their affection. On Valentine’s Day, Barack shared a message, stating that after 32 years, Michelle still takes his breath away. Michelle responded with a message of her own, calling Barack her rock, now and always.
A source informed The Sun that Michelle might be planning a solo trip overseas soon. Those close to her say she has expressed a desire to focus on personal goals and dreams she had put aside due to the demands of public life. She is reportedly considering visiting places like France, Italy, Greece, and Spain for inspiration and some time away from the spotlight.
In a March episode of Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, Michelle Obama shared that she and Barack in the past had differing views on the size of their family. She felt content with their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, while Barack suggested the idea of a third child, to which she expressed her disagreement.
Michelle and Barack have also discussed their daughters’ independence. Barack mentioned that Malia opted not to use the Obama surname in credits for her recent film project. When he asked her if she realized people would still identify her, she explained she wanted viewers to engage with the work without immediately associating it with her family name.
The Obama daughters were in elementary school when their father took office. Today, Malia is pursuing a screenwriting and directing career in Los Angeles, California, while Sasha graduated from USC in 2023. Both sisters lead independent lives in California, while their parents maintain their primary residence in Washington, D.C.
While rumors about the state of the Obamas’ marriage persist, Michelle has asserted that her recent independent choices are a reflection of personal growth rather than marital issues. The couple, who met in 1988 at a Chicago law firm, are navigating a new phase in their 32-year relationship, balancing joint and individual pursuits.
