- Michelle Obama Denies Marriage Rumors with Barack
- Michelle Obama Sets Record Straight on Absence from Public Events
- Michelle Obama Speaks Out Against Divorce Rumors
Michelle Obama has publicly dismissed rumors suggesting that her marriage to former President Barack Obama is in trouble.
Speculation about the couple’s relationship has grown after the former first lady was notably absent from several high-profile events, including Donald Trump’s inauguration and the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter.
While she did not directly reference these occasions, Mrs. Obama addressed the rumors during an appearance on the Work in Progress podcast, hosted by actress Sophia Bush. She explained that her decision to step back from certain public duties was a personal choice as a “grown woman.”
“People couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, so they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,” Mrs. Obama said.
She acknowledged feeling some guilt about stepping away from traditional expectations.
“That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with—like disappointing people,” she shared. “I mean, so much so that this year 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.
“This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? But that’s what society does to us,” she added.
Mrs. Obama emphasized that her decisions were guided by what was best for her, rather than external pressures.
“I chose to do what was best for me. Not what I had to do. Not what I thought other people wanted me to do,” she said.
Her absence from President Trump’s inauguration was widely viewed as a break from tradition. However, despite carving out more time for herself, Mrs. Obama noted that she remains active in public life.
“I still find time to give speeches, to be out there in the world, to work on projects. I still care about girls’ education,” she said.
The Obamas celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in October last year.
In her best-selling memoir, Becoming, Mrs. Obama has previously spoken candidly about the challenges her marriage faced during Mr. Obama’s political career and time in the White House.
