Michelle Obama has once again addressed persistent rumors suggesting she and former President Barack Obama are heading for divorce.
Speculation about trouble in their marriage has been circulating in recent months, despite a lack of credible evidence. Still, the chatter has led many to look for some form of clarification.
Michelle previously touched on the topic during an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast, where she stated that if she and Barack were separating, “everyone would know.” But even that statement didn’t completely put the rumors to rest.
Now, during a guest appearance on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, the former First Lady responded once more, aiming to shut down the rumors for good.
Reflecting on life after the White House, Michelle spoke about the challenges of adapting to a new phase of life and the public’s ongoing interest in their every move. Since leaving office in 2017, the Obamas have maintained a lower profile, despite continued speculation—especially about whether Michelle might one day run for president. For now, she says, they’re enjoying life outside the political spotlight.
“It takes a second when you start thinking, ‘Can you go here? Can you say this? Can you touch this third rail?’” she said. “Even now, if Barack or I say something—right or wrong—it gets covered. The fact that people don’t see us out on a date somehow sparks rumors that our marriage is over. I mean, it’s kind of ridiculous—it’s like the apocalypse!”
Michelle also touched on their limited presence on social media, telling host Rachel Martin: “You’re just not going to know what we’re doing every minute of the day. Sure, we’re famous—but we’re 60. We don’t take selfies!”
She laughed, recalling a moment with Barack: “He said, ‘You don’t even take pictures of anything we do.’ And I told him, ‘I’m not thinking about a picture.’ So I think other people are the ones who need to adjust.”
Michelle and Barack Obama met in 1988 at a law firm in Chicago and have two daughters, Malia and Natasha. Barack became the first Black president of the United States in 2009 and has acknowledged in past interviews that the demands of the presidency placed pressure on their marriage.
