Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama firmly addressed and refuted rumors suggesting that she and former President Barack Obama were heading toward divorce. Speaking on Sophia Bush’s podcast, Work in Progress, released on Tuesday, Michelle clarified that her recent absence from high-profile political events was a deliberate personal choice, not a sign of marital strife.
Speculation about the Obamas’ marriage intensified after Michelle opted not to attend President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this year. Barack Obama attended both events alone, prompting unfounded rumors of a split. During the podcast, Michelle explained that her decisions stemmed from a desire to prioritize 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, highlighting her independence after years of public life.
Michelle expressed frustration that her choices were misconstrued, noting society’s difficulty in accepting women prioritizing themselves. “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 remarked. She emphasized that her absence from these events was not a reflection of her relationship with Barack, with whom she has been married for 32 years, but rather a reclaiming of her autonomy.
Despite stepping back from some 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 current life, balancing personal freedom with ongoing projects.
Last week, Barack Obama acknowledged being in a “deep deficit” with his wife, a comment that fueled rumors but was later contextualized as part of their candid discussions about marriage. Michelle’s podcast appearance put the speculation to rest, reaffirming the couple’s enduring partnership while underscoring her right to define her own path.
