Like most high-profile couples, Barack and Michelle Obama are also not prone to various speculations about their marriage. Just a few months ago, the former President got embroiled in an affair rumor with Friends fame Jennifer Aniston. However, it turned out to be just pure gossip and nothing else, but that didn’t stop the divorce rumors about the Obamas. Now, a new comment by the former First Lady has added fuel to the fire.
On Wednesday, the latest episode of Michelle’s IMO podcast aired, where she is seen conversing with Julia Louis-Dreyfus about how her life changed since Barack’s Presidential term ended. “I mean, at this stage in life for me, personally, is the first time I’ve been completely free,” Mrs. Obama said.
She continued, “There’s been a release where every choice I make is not about my husband, not about his career, not about my family, not about what my kids need or where they’re going, it’s totally about me.”
“This is when we start living, ladies,” The sense of liberation was clear in Michelle Obama‘s voice as she delivered the statement. However, many didn’t take it well. In the YouTube episode of the podcast, some commented that it might be a hint towards her deteriorating relationship with Obama, while others pushed the theory that the couple is already separated, with a divorce in the corner. Some other hate comments also criticize her for being this transparent, claiming she only wants to talk about herself.
I wonder if we will see her together with her children in the future?
— Sherrie Greenville (@tortie578) July 10, 2025
Michelle, who has been married to Barack since 1992 and shares two daughters with him, previously clarified why she has been seen less on her husband’s side. Due to their lack of public appearances together, the pair has been subjected to various rumors over the last few months. While speaking on NPR’s Wild Card podcast with Rachel Martin, Mrs. Obama clarified that they are not photographed as often anymore because of their age.
“The fact that people don’t see me going out on a date with my husband sparks rumors of the end of our marriage. It’s like, OK, so we don’t Instagram every minute of our lives. We are 60. We’re 60, y’all. You just are not gonna know what we’re doing every minute of the day,” the former First Lady said.
#MichelleObama‘s sick of divorce rumors about her and Barack … and, she’s got a simple message for their fans — stop assuming there is a right way to prove you love someone!
Full story HERE: https://t.co/tDjmSlaN5W
🎥: Wild Card with Rachel Martin/NPR pic.twitter.com/oFhHovn8dZ
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 26, 2025
One of the early reasons behind their divorce rumors emerged after Michelle skipped a bunch of events, including Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump‘s inauguration in January. “One of the major decisions I made this year was to stay put and not attend funerals and inaugurations and all the things that I’m supposed to attend,” she cleared up the misunderstanding during the podcast.
“That was a part of me using my ambition to say, ‘Let me define what I want to do, apart from what I’m supposed to do, what the world expects of me.’ And I have to own that. Those are my choices,” Michelle added.
However, seems like it wasn’t enough to stop rumormongers.
