Divorce rumors have been swirling around Barack and Michelle Obama for a while now. However, on Wednesday, Michelle took the opportunity to not only address these rumors head-on but also shed light on the unrealistic expectations society places on women.

Mother and public figure
On Wednesday, Michelle Obama was a guest on Sophia Bush’s podcast, Work in Progress. About nine minutes into the interview, the former First Lady shared a deeply personal reflection on the changes in her life now that her daughters, Malia (26) and Sasha (23), have moved out.

She revealed that her favorite part of becoming an ”empty nester” is simple yet liberating:
“[Life] is whatever I want, Sophia, It’s whatever I want,” she said with a joyful tone.

“It’s the first time in my life all of my choices are for me.”

For years, Obama has balanced the demanding roles of mother, public figure, and partner, often prioritizing her husband Barack Obama’s career and her children’s needs over her own.

Marcus Ingram/Getty Images
But now, with her family grown and her personal life in a new chapter, she’s reclaiming control.

However, the freedom to make decisions for herself didn’t come easy, particularly as a woman. Obama explained the struggle many women face when it comes to giving themselves permission to prioritize their own needs.

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

Then, her tone shifted from lighthearted to serious as she addressed the topic of public perception and the backlash that sometimes comes with asserting her independence.

“That’s the thing that we as women, I think… we struggle with disappointing people. I mean, 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.”

Aniston denied the rumors
As per reports – wild reports, perhaps, but reports nonetheless – concerns regarding the stability of the Obamas’ marriage first came to light after Michelle failed to attend both the funeral for Jimmy Carter (which took place on January 9, 2025) and Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Although Obama didn’t clarify what specific decision triggered the divorce rumors, her absence from key events such as President Trump’s inauguration and President Jimmy Carter’s funeral caused enough speculation to fuel the headlines, especially with her husband attending both.

In January, Vanity Fair linked the rumors to a story in In Touch Weekly, which claimed actress Jennifer Aniston was allegedly attempting to steal Barack Obama’s heart — something Aniston herself quickly denied.

“I’ve met [Barack] once. I know Michelle more than him,” Aniston said.