Former first lady Michelle Obama has directly addressed persistent online speculation regarding the state of her marriage to former President Barack Obama, stating publicly that any marital trouble would not be private.
Appearing on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast, Michelle Obama responded to host Steven Bartlett's note that her absence from events like the inauguration of President Trump had fueled rumors of discord.
"If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it," she stated.
The former first lady, joined by her brother Craig Robinson to promote their "IMO" podcast, laughed at the suggestion that divorce was impending.
Michelle Obama indicated her straightforward nature, suggesting she would be "problem-solving in public" if issues arose with the former commander-in-chief. Robinson added that he would be doing a podcast with Barack Obama if they were experiencing problems.
She discussed the nature of marriage, acknowledging the inherent friction and difficulty involved. Michelle Obama noted that people often look at her and Barack Obama and perceive them as "#couple goals," without fully understanding the effort involved.
"It’s hard for us too," she said, while adding she would not trade the relationship. She described her husband as "my person."
Reflecting on their 32-year union, she noted that neither she nor Barack were inclined to "quit" on the marriage because "that’s not who we are."
Michelle Obama previously spoke on her own podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, about the decision to skip President Trump's inauguration, stating it was a personal choice to prioritize what was right for herself, and she found it notable that people assumed the reason must be marital trouble.
She also referenced past periods of difficulty in the marriage, including an interview where she stated there were years she "couldn’t stand my husband," and Barack Obama's own comments about being in a "deep deficit with my wife" after leaving office.
She urged couples not to give up too quickly, stressing the value of communication, therapy, and continuously "renegotiating" the relationship as circumstances change.
