Former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have broken their silence on persistent divorce rumors that have swirled around the couple in recent months. Speaking candidly on the IMO podcast, owned by Michelle and her brother Craig Robinson, the Obamas dismissed the speculation and reaffirmed their commitment to each other.
Barack Obama admitted he was unaware of the rumors until someone brought them to his attention. “These are the kind of things that I just miss,” he said. “I don’t even know this stuff is going on, and then somebody mentioned it to me and I was like, what are you talking about?”
Michelle Obama also addressed the speculation directly, making it clear that divorce has never been an option in their decades-long relationship. “There hasn’t been one moment in our marriage where I thought about quitting on my man,” she said. “We have had some really hard times, we have had a lot of fun times, a lot of adventures and I have become a better person because of the man I’m married to.”
Rumors of marital strain began circulating after Michelle did not accompany Barack to several public events, including former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration. These absences led to speculation that the couple was facing difficulties behind the scenes.
However, Michelle explained that her decisions were about autonomy, not separation. In an earlier appearance on the Work in Progress podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush, she said she was simply taking control of her own schedule. “This year people couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself,” she said. “This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? But that’s what society does to us.”
While acknowledging she felt some guilt for stepping back from traditional duties, Michelle emphasized that prioritizing her personal well-being was essential. “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.”
The couple’s joint message has put to rest the rumors, affirming their enduring bond and shared journey.
