Barack Obama recently opened up about the challenges he faced in his marriage with Michelle Obama, marking a rare instance of public acknowledgment about their relationship issues.
The former First Lady, Michelle Obama, had previously addressed rumors about marital strife with Barack, firmly dismissing them as untrue back in July.
The couple, who married in 1992, have maintained a strong relationship over the years. However, Michelle’s absence from certain significant events, such as President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, fueled speculation about their marriage.
Michelle, known for her candidness, has often rebutted divorce rumors on various platforms. During an episode of “The Diary of a CEO,” she emphasized that if there were any marital issues, “everyone would know” since she would be addressing them publicly. “If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,” she told Steven Bartlett, adding: “I would be problem solving in public. I’m not a martyr.”
On her own podcast, IMO, Michelle explained that her decision to skip Trump’s inauguration was personal and led to “ridicule and criticism.” “People couldn’t believe that I was saying no for any other reason. They had to assume that my marriage was falling apart,” she declared.
Barack Obama, who usually keeps his personal life private, surprised many by admitting that he had been “digging” himself “out of [a] hole” after his presidency. Speaking with historian David Olusoga at the O2 Arena in London, he stated, “I was digging myself out of the hole I found myself with Michelle. Now I’m at about level ground.”
This comes after Barack acknowledged in April that his presidency from 2009 to 2017 had impacted their relationship significantly. “I was in a deep deficit with my wife,” he revealed in a conversation with Hamilton College president Steven Tepper. “So I have been trying to dig myself out of that hole by doing occasionally fun things.”
He also noted that post-White House life has afforded him more time to spend with Michelle. “In 2023, he said leaving the White House allowed him to ‘have a little more time with her.’”
Michelle has also opened up about personal struggles, advocating for self-care and personal time. Speaking to Sophia Bush on the Work in Progress podcast, she said, “That’s the thing that we as women struggle with —-disappointing people. So much so that people, they couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,” she added.
She has deliberately stepped away from the limelight but continues to express her love for family in meaningful ways, such as on Father’s Day. Michelle honored her husband’s role in their family by sharing a heartfelt message: “I love looking back at photos like this of when our girls were younger. @BarackObama has always been there for us no matter what — even when it felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. We’ve always been so grateful. To Barack and all the dads and father-figures celebrating today, Happy Father’s Day!”