Former First Lady Michelle Obama recently addressed ongoing divorce rumors during an appearance on NPR’s Wild Card podcast. She explained that rumors about her 32-year marriage to Barack Obama arose due to their infrequent joint public appearances.
Obama discussed how public scrutiny of her personal life has increased since leaving the White House in 2017. She noted that when people don’t see her regularly with the former President on social media or at public events, they assume marital issues. She stated, “We’re 60, y’all. You just are not gonna know what we’re doing every minute of the day.” More details can be found here.
Speculation intensified when Obama did not attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, while Barack Obama was present. She also did not attend Jimmy Carter’s funeral, which fueled commentary regarding their relationship.
On April 24, 2025, during a podcast episode with Taraji P. Henson, Obama described her decision to skip Trump’s inauguration as a form of self-care, emphasizing her desire to define her existence independently. She highlighted that her choices were often met with criticism, with many assuming her marriage was in trouble instead of recognizing her deliberate decisions.
Obama expressed concern over society’s inability to accept a woman’s independent choices without negative assumptions. On Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast on April 9, she mentioned that people struggled to understand her autonomy, assuming divorce instead. She indicated this reflects broader societal norms that restrict women’s independence.
The former First Lady revealed she is attending therapy to help navigate her new life phase. In an April interview on the Jay Shetty Podcast, she explained that as an empty nester with her daughters now adults, she seeks professional guidance to manage this transition.
Obama described therapy as a way to “unwind some old habits” and “sort through some old guilt,” helping her determine how to approach the next chapter of her life. She acknowledged the benefit of having “other voices” to talk to while learning more about herself outside of public service.
Barack Obama also commented on their relationship during an April 3 event at Hamilton College’s Sacerdote Series in Clinton, New York. He mentioned being in a “deep deficit” with his wife following his two presidential terms from 2009 to 2017, and he has been working to improve their relationship by spending more quality time together.
During a May 1 episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast, Michelle Obama explained how the presidency impacted their marriage and raised concerns about their daughters’ safety. She described how the White House security was centered around protecting the President rather than the entire family.
The couple’s daughters, Malia, age 26, and Sasha, age 24, were only 10 and seven years old, respectively, when their father became President. Obama highlighted the importance of ensuring their children emerged from the White House experience “not crazy, and whole.” She credited her late mother, Marian Robinson, who lived with them during both terms, with maintaining stability.
Obama has consistently stated that if there were genuine marital problems, the public would be aware. In her May interview, she mentioned she would be “problem-solving in public” if real issues arose, suggesting transparency would be her approach to any actual difficulties.
The former First Lady emphasized that while marriage remains challenging, she “wouldn’t trade it.” She described their partnership as built on mutual commitment, with both spouses committed to their relationship. Obama noted that this understanding is the foundation of their marriage.
On Father’s Day, June 15, Obama shared a rare throwback photo from November 2004 showing the family waiting for Barack’s Senate election results. She praised Barack for his consistent presence as a father, noting he has “always been there” for their family despite his responsibilities.
The couple’s most recent public appearance together was on May 27, helping to dispel rumors about their relationship status. Obama continues to host her podcast, “IMO,” with her brother, Craig Robinson, and is working on various projects, including her upcoming book, “The Look,” set for release on November 4.
