Michelle Obama Breaks Silence on Marriage Rumours

Former First Lady Michelle Obama has dismissed long-standing rumours about a rift in her marriage to former US President Barack Obama, clarifying that recent personal decisions — including stepping back from high-profile political appearances — were driven by self-care and a desire to reclaim her time, not marital discord.

In a wide-ranging and candid interview on the podcast Work in Progress with actor Sophia Bush, Michelle Obama, 61, addressed public speculation that intensified over the past year following her absence from several major events. Among them were former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in January and Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration.

“People couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself,” she said, reflecting on the media buzz and public commentary that followed her decision to step away from the spotlight. “That this couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? But that’s what society does to us.”

Michelle spoke about how women often face pressure to meet others’ expectations, sometimes at the cost of their own wellbeing. “We as women struggle with disappointing people,” she said. “So much so that people assumed something must be wrong with my marriage simply because I was doing things for myself.”

The couple, married for 32 years, has been widely admired for their relationship and shared public service legacy. However, the absence of the former First Lady from recent political milestones fuelled persistent divorce rumours — something Michelle has now sought to put to rest.

Barack Obama also recently opened up about the impact of his presidency on their relationship. Speaking at Hamilton College earlier this month, he acknowledged the strain those years placed on their bond. “I was in a deep deficit with my wife,” he admitted. “I’ve been trying to dig myself out of that hole by doing occasionally fun things.”

Still, Michelle’s remarks suggest the current dynamic between the two is less about conflict and more about personal evolution. “I now have the opportunity to control my own calendar,” she said. “I could have made a lot of these decisions years ago, but I didn’t give myself that freedom. Maybe even as much as I let my kids live their own lives, I used their lives as an excuse for why I couldn’t do something.”

The former First Lady said she is now focused on how she truly wants to spend her time — whether that means accepting a last-minute invitation from a friend or choosing to decline a major public appearance. “Now is the time for me to ask myself these hard questions: ‘Who do I truly want to be every day?’” she said.

Michelle and Barack Obama, who share two daughters — Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23 — continue to be active through the Obama Foundation and other public initiatives. Michelle confirmed that she still finds time to work on projects and causes she cares deeply about, including girls’ education, even as she reclaims more space for herself.

Her statements offer a rare and introspective glimpse into how the Obamas are navigating life after the White House, and serve as a pointed commentary on the way women’s independence is often misinterpreted. “If it doesn’t fit into the stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labelled as something negative and horrible,” she said.

In speaking out, Michelle Obama appears not only to set the record straight but also to challenge the societal narratives that often shape perceptions of women’s choices — even those made by one of the most high-profile women in the world.