Former First Lady Michelle Obama possesses the utmost grace, dignity, and finesse. She’s been an inspiration for millions of people across the globe ever since she served as the First Lady from 2009 to 2017 alongside President Barack Obama. Today, even after stepping down from the role, she’s established herself as one of the most popular global icons.
From her entrepreneurial ventures to media events to launching her podcast IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, which she co-hosts with her brother, and penning books, she’s a woman who’s truly the jack of all trades.
However, being in the spotlight has given her fame, money, and, of course, backlash and scrutiny. Her marriage to Barack Obama has been heavily questioned, especially since last year when she was absent from a couple of significant events in the American political arena after Donald Trump was re-elected.
Michelle Obama was absent from the funeral of the late President Jimmy Carter and Trump’s inaugural ceremony in January 2025. As expected, whispers started going around, and soon, it became the tabloid headline of the next morning: Are Michelle and Barack Obama heading for a divorce? Are the two not together? What really happened?
After prolonged scrutiny and hate, Michelle Obama appeared on Sophia Bush’s podcast Work in Progress, which aired on April 8, 2025, and smashed all the speculations in a blink. In a bold and authentic conversation, the 61-year-old lady addressed ongoing divorce rumors, explaining that she and Barack’s choice not to broadcast their personal life, like going on dates, had fueled speculation. She noted calmly, “We’re 60—you’re not going to know what we’re doing every minute.”
Michelle spoke about setting boundaries as she entered a new phase post-60, and she shared that this year, she declined invitations to events like Trump’s inauguration and Jimmy Carter’s funeral. Though these decisions sparked criticism, she stood firm, saying, “I had to sit in it and own it. But I didn’t regret it.” Reflecting on her life, Michelle said she often sacrificed her ambitions to support her family and her husband’s career. Now, at this stage of life, she feels free to pursue her passions and define success on her terms.
MAJOR BREAKING: For the first time, Michelle Obama just SMASHED the right-wing lies that she and Barack Obama are getting a divorce.
Michelle didn’t hold back. Listen below: pic.twitter.com/KkNflagxf0
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) April 9, 2025
“That’s the thing that we, as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people,” she said. “So much so that this year people were –– they couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself. 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.”
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Meanwhile, when Michelle missed Donald Trump’s grand inauguration, the media speculated that her absence was due to the fact that she wasn’t very fond of Donald Trump. However, A source reported to PEOPLE that “There’s no overstating her feelings about [Trump]… Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition.”
Recently, in an episode of NPR’s Wild Card podcast, hosted by Rachel Martin, she also spoke about the finite nature of life, admitting that at 61, she wishes to spend her summer to the fullest in a meaningful way. Inspired by her mother’s final words—“Wow, this went fast”—she’s determined to live more consciously and cherish each moment with her family.
Scroll down for some images of Michelle and Barack Obama:
