The couple first sparked divorce rumours when the former first lady did not attend Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s inauguration back in January.
Michelle Obama Shuts Down Divorce Rumors, Explains Why She and Barack Aren’t Seen Together Often
In an effort to quash ongoing divorce speculation, former First Lady Michelle Obama has opened up about why she and her husband, Barack Obama, are rarely seen together in public these days. Speaking on NPR’s Wild Card podcast with Rachel Martin on Thursday, the 61-year-old offered a candid explanation: it’s not about marital trouble—it’s about privacy, age, and choosing not to live life on social media.
“The fact that people don’t see me out on a date with my husband sparks rumors that our marriage is over,” Michelle said. “It’s like, ‘OK, so we don’t Instagram every minute of our lives. We’re 60, y’all.’”
She went on to explain that at their age, they simply don’t feel the need to broadcast their relationship online. “You’re not going to know what we’re doing every minute of the day,” she added, according to The Independent.
Rumors about a possible split began circulating earlier this year when Michelle Obama was notably absent from Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. At the time, she addressed the speculation head-on, saying her decision not to attend was intentional and rooted in her desire to prioritize her own needs.
“One of the major decisions I made this year was to stay put—and not attend funerals, inaugurations, and all the things I’m ‘supposed’ to attend,” she said.
“That was me choosing what I want to do, not what the world expects of me. And I have to own that. I didn’t regret it. It’s my life now.”
Michelle has also spoken in past interviews about her reduced public appearances, noting that her current focus is on personal well-being and reclaiming her time after years in the spotlight.
In a conversation on the Work In Progress podcast with actress Sophia Bush, she again dismissed the divorce rumors and reflected on how life has changed since leaving the White House eight years ago. With both of her daughters now adults, Michelle said she’s found more freedom to reassess her priorities.
“I could’ve made a lot of these decisions years ago,” she admitted. “But I didn’t give myself that freedom. 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.”
Despite the speculation, Michelle made it clear that she and Barack remain strong—and simply value their privacy in an age of constant visibility.
