Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama addressed divorce rumors on July 16, 2025, during a joint appearance on Michelle’s podcast “IMO.” The couple employed humor to counter speculation about their 33-year marriage, which started after Michelle missed several major events earlier in the year.
The rumors gained traction when Michelle was absent from President Trump’s inauguration on January 20 and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral on January 9. Her absence was notable as other living presidents and their spouses attended both occasions.
Michelle introduced Barack as her guest on the podcast episode. Her brother and co-host, Craig Robinson, joked about having them together, to which Michelle replied: “I know, because when we aren’t, folks think we’re divorced.”
Barack humorously addressed the rumors, stating: “She took me back! It was touch and go for a while.” The former president, aged 63, mentioned that he misses hearing about such things until someone informs him.
Michelle, 61, gave a strong response to the rumors, stating: “There hasn’t been one moment in our marriage where I’ve thought about quitting on my man.” She acknowledged their tough times and fun times, adding that she has become a better person because of her husband.
The divorce rumors were fueled in January when conservative commentator Meghan McCain mentioned on her podcast that she had heard from journalists that the rumors were true. The speculation intensified when Michelle opted out of attending Carter’s funeral, where she would have been seated next to Donald Trump. CNN reported she had scheduling conflicts and remained in Hawaii.
Robinson shared an encounter at an airport in Wichita, Kansas, where a woman asked about Barack Obama: “What did he do?” He assured her that everything was okay between the Obamas, making her as happy as if she had received a Christmas gift.
Michelle has addressed speculation about her independence multiple times this year. On the “Work in Progress” podcast in April, she explained that saying no is usually understood, but when she chose to do so for herself, people assumed it was because of a divorce. She emphasized that women struggle with disappointing people, and this led to assumptions about her marriage.
During another April podcast with actress Taraji P. Henson, Michelle reflected on the criticism she faced for skipping the inauguration and making decisions that suited her earlier in the year. She noted people couldn’t believe she was saying no for any other reason, leading to assumptions that her marriage was falling apart.
The former first lady emphasized her intention to live more purposefully after eight years in the White House. She now prioritizes her own desires over meeting others’ expectations, describing a sense of freedom in choosing her commitments.
The Obamas married in 1992 in Chicago, Illinois, where they met as lawyers. They have two daughters, Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24. Michelle has discussed their relationship challenges in her bestsellers “Becoming” and “The Light We Carry.” In a 2023 CBS interview, she acknowledged that marriage is difficult after 30 years.
Wednesday’s podcast marked Barack’s first appearance on Michelle’s current show, which began in March. They previously appeared together on her first podcast in September 2020. Beyond addressing marriage rumors, they discussed supporting young men and boys, with Barack expressing concern about the lack of investment in the development of male youth.
The Obamas maintain their public relationship through social media. Barack posted a Valentine’s Day tribute to Michelle on Instagram, stating she still takes his breath away after over three decades. Their joint podcast appearance was their most direct response to ongoing speculation.
The rumors had reached a point where people frequently approached Robinson to ask about his sister’s marriage. The Obamas used the podcast platform to clarify their commitment, employing both humor and sincerity to emphasize their enduring partnership.
Michelle has been more selective about public appearances since leaving the White House, attending events that align with her interests and schedule. Her absence from traditional political gatherings fueled assumptions about her marriage, but she has consistently explained her choices reflect a desire for independence, not marital issues.
The podcast episode primarily focused on parenting young men, but the initial discussion allowed the Obamas to address widespread speculation about their family directly. Their candid conversation highlighted their ability to address rumors while reaffirming a strong partnership that has lasted over three decades.
