Michelle Obama addresses divorce rumors, embracing ‘big girl decisions’

Apr 9

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Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer

By Kennedy Felton (Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer), Emma Stoltzfus (Video Editor), Joey Nunez (Video Editor)

Michelle Obama addressed divorce rumors during a podcast Tuesday, explaining her decision to prioritize self-reflection and well-being at 61. She noted that women often face judgment when setting boundaries, which fueled speculation about her marriage.
Barack Obama recently admitted their relationship faced challenges during his presidency, but he’s working to reconnect through shared activities and quality time.
Michelle described this phase of her life as one of “big girl decisions,” focusing on peace and purpose over obligation.

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After weeks of speculation, former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the growing wave of divorce rumors. She shared her side during a candid conversation on Sophia Bush’s podcast, “Work in Progress.”

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During the episode that aired Tuesday, April 8, Obama said that at 61, she’s entering a new chapter of life. This phase, she explained, is centered on prioritizing her well-being and embracing self-reflection.

“The interesting thing is that, when I say ‘no,’ for the most part, people are like, ‘I get it, and I’m OK,’” she said on the podcast.

Obama noted that many people — especially women — often face backlash or judgment when setting boundaries.

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“That’s the thing that we, as women, I think we struggle with — disappointing people,” she said. “So much so that this year people were –– they couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself. They had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing. This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself.”

Absence sparked Michelle Obama divorce rumors

Many interpreted Obama’s comments as a reference to her absence from two high-profile events. She did not attend the funeral for former President Jimmy Carter in December, nor did she appear at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration — both times her husband Barack Obama appeared solo.

CNN previously reported that her absence from the funeral was due to a scheduling conflict.

As for Trump’s inauguration, a source told People magazine:

“There’s no overstating her feelings about [Trump]… Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition.”

Barack Obama speaks on marriage

Just days before Michelle Obama’s podcast appearance, Barack Obama acknowledged their relationship had its challenges. While speaking to students at Hamilton College, he admitted to being in a “deep deficit” with Michelle after years spent prioritizing his presidency. Now, he said, he’s working to reconnect through shared activities and quality time.

A new season of growth

Michelle Obama also shared that she’s finally feeling in control of her calendar — something that hasn’t always been possible as a public figure and mother.

“It was a real big example of me, myself, looking at something that I was supposed to do… and I chose to do what was best for me,” she said.

She went on to call this a season of “big girl decisions” — choosing peace and purpose over obligation.

Tags: Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, podcast

[KENNEDY FELTON]

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is setting the record straight after weeks of online speculation about her marriage to former President Barack Obama.

In a new episode of actress Sophia Bush’s podcast Work in Progress, Michelle opens up about embracing a new phase of life at 61—one that centers on well-being and self-reflection.

“The interesting thing is that, when I say ‘no,’ for the most part people are like, ‘I get it, and I’m OK,’” she said.

She explained that women are often judged for making independent choices, especially when they go against expectations.

“That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people. So much so that this year people were—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. This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself,” Michelle said.

Many believe Michelle is addressing her absence from two high-profile events: former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last December and President Trump’s inauguration—both of which Barack attended alone, fueling renewed divorce rumors. CNN reported her funeral absence was due to a scheduling conflict.

A source told People magazine the reason for her absence from Trump’s inauguration was, “There’s no overstating her feelings about [Trump]. She’s not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake. Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition.”

Just last week, Barack addressed the state of their marriage while speaking to students at Hamilton College. He admitted to being in a “deep deficit” with Michelle after years of prioritizing his presidency, saying he’s now making up for lost time by doing things they enjoy.

While Michelle may be clearing up the rumors, she’s also redefining what it means to step back without stepping away—years after leaving the White House. She calls it making “big girl decisions,” and for her, that means owning her peace, her calendar, and her priorities.

Bias Summary

Michelle Obama addressed divorce rumors with Barack on Sophia Bush's podcast.
Speculation arose from Michelle skipping public events and Barack attending solo.
Michelle is prioritizing her own decisions now that her daughters are grown.
Michelle stated, "People couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself…they had to assume my husband and I are divorcing."
Despite rumors, Michelle and Barack appear to have a strong relationship, evidenced by his January birthday post.

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Bias Comparison

Media outlets on the left framed Michelle Obama’s response to divorce rumors as a courageous act of asserting autonomy, emphasizing her right to prioritize “making a choice for myself,” subtly shutting down “unfounded gossip” with a “flashy little detail.”

Media outlets on the right , while reporting the denial, employed stronger, potentially sensational language, characterizing her response as “slamming” rumors, highlighting that “marital struggles” may have swirled.

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