Michelle Obama shuts down divorce rumors in podcast interview
Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States of America (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Michelle Obama has broken her silence on persistent online rumors about her marriage, speaking candidly during a recent episode of the "Work in Progress" podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush, The New York Times reports.
In January, social media users began spreading rumors about a possible divorce between the former First Lady and former President Barack Obama.
The speculation was fueled by Michelle’s absence from two major public events: the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of Donald Trump.
While her team attributed her absence from Carter’s funeral to a scheduling conflict, no explanation was given for skipping Trump’s inauguration — which only intensified the online chatter.
In her podcast interview, Michelle Obama commented on the situation for the first time, without going into detail, but emphasizing that her choices are a conscious decision of a grown woman.
"I chose to do what’s best for me, not what I had to do," she said. "People couldn’t even fathom that I was simply making a decision for myself — they had to believe my husband and I were getting a divorce."
Personal choice and freedom after the White House
The former First Lady made it clear that she is entering a new phase in her life, where personal priorities and self-discovery come first.
"Now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of, 'Who do I truly want to be every day?'— and that changes," she admitted.
Michelle also noted that despite being a public figure, she strives to control only what is within her power. "I learned that I can really only control me," she emphasized.
Donald Trump’s name wasn’t mentioned during the conversation — although in the past, Michelle has been vocal in criticizing him, especially for promoting conspiracy theories about her husband’s citizenship.
Former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama at a public event (photo: Getty Images)
It’s also worth noting that during the election campaign in 2024, Michelle Obama openly endorsed Kamala Harris.
She described her as "one of the most qualified people ever."
Recently, her husband, former US President Barack Obama, together with former Vice President Kamala Harris, sharply criticized Donald Trump’s actions during his second term.
Obama condemned Trump’s efforts to undermine democratic institutions, escalate repression against migrants, and suppress free speech.
And Harris added that Trump’s return to power has created a climate of fear and encouraged silence in the face of unconstitutional threats.
