Former First Lady Michelle Obama is addressing rumors about her marriage, denying any divorce from former President Barack Obama and calling out the sexist assumptions behind those speculations.
In part two of her interview on the “Work in Progress” podcast with Sophia Bush, Obama responded to online rumors that surfaced earlier this year when Barack Obama attended several prominent events alone, including the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump’s inauguration. Critics quickly jumped to conclusions, but Michelle emphasized that her decisions had nothing to do with marital issues.
“This year, people couldn’t even imagine that I was making a choice for myself,” she said. “They had to assume my husband and I were getting divorced. This couldn’t just be a woman making decisions for herself, right?” She added, “That’s how society works. Once we begin to ask ourselves, ‘What am I doing? Who am I doing this for?’ and it doesn’t fit into the stereotypical expectations, it’s immediately labeled as negative.”
Michelle, who served eight years in the White House without controversy (aside from the infamous tan suit incident), noted that her efforts to assert her voice and make decisions for herself have often been misunderstood. “I feel like it’s time to make some big girl decisions about my life and own them,” she said. “Because if not now, when? What am I waiting for? I’m 61, and the summers are counting down.”
She also discussed the challenges women face when asserting boundaries. “When I say ‘no,’ most people are understanding, but I think women struggle with disappointing others,” she shared.
Despite the rumors, the Obamas continue to share loving messages publicly. On Valentine’s Day, Barack posted a photo with Michelle, saying, “Thirty-two years together, and you still take my breath away.” Michelle reciprocated, writing, “If there’s one person I can always count on, it’s you, @BarackObama. You’re my rock. Always have been. Always will be.”
The couple, who met in 1988 while working at a law firm in Chicago, married in 1992 and have two daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23. Many social media users, especially in Black communities, criticized the divorce rumors, pointing out the Obamas have faced more scrutiny than figures like Donald Trump, despite his numerous scandals. Michelle summed it up by saying, “This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?”
