Michelle Obama has once again shut down persistent rumors about her and former President Barack Obama splitting up, offering a candid response to the speculation during a recent podcast appearance.
Speaking on NPR’s Wild Card with host Rachel Martin, the 61-year-old former First Lady addressed the ongoing tabloid chatter, reaffirming that there is no truth to the claims. “If Barack and I were getting a divorce, trust me—everyone would know,” Michelle said plainly.
This isn’t the first time she’s responded to such speculation. In a past appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett, Michelle called the rumors “nonsense” and pointed out how people often struggle to grasp the idea of her making independent choices, feeding the false narrative.
Michelle also touched on why she and Barack aren’t often photographed together these days. Life after the White House has brought major changes, she explained, and their public appearances are now shaped by separate projects, schedules, and a desire for more privacy. “We’re living a more normal life now,” she said. “That means we don’t do everything side by side, and that’s okay.”
While the Obamas may not always be in the public eye together, Michelle’s message was clear: their relationship remains strong, and the rumors hold no weight.
Michelle Obama has repeatedly addressed the constant divorce rumors surrounding her and Barack (Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Michelle said: “It takes a second when you start thinking, well ‘can you go here? Can you say this? Can you touch this third rail?’.
“You know knowing that even in this phase in our lives when Barack and I say something right or wrong it does get covered, you know? The fact that people don’t see me going out on a date with my husband sparks rumors of the end of our marriage, I mean it’s sort – it’s the apocalypse!”
Michelle went on to say that the pair were both in their 60s, so they don’t ‘Instagram every minute of our lives’, adding: “You just are not going to know what we’re doing every minute of the day, you know, and yes, I guess we’re famous but we’re 60 we don’t take selfies!”
She continued: “Barack was joking, he’s like, ‘you don’t even take pictures of anything we do’, I was like, ‘I’m not thinking about a picture’.
“So, I think them breaking the habit is as much of an adjustment.”
Michelle and Barack met back in 1988 in Chicago while working at a law firm – where Michelle was assigned to be Barack’s adviser.
Four years later, they were wed and welcomed their first child, Malia, in 1998, while Natasha was born three years later.
Then in 2009, Barack became the first black President of the United States, with the Democrat leader serving two terms until 2017.
He has since confessed that time in the role had put a strain on their marriage.
