Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama recently came out firmly dismissing rumours of a divorce from former President Barack Obama, addressing speculation that arose after her absence from several high-profile events. In a conversation on Sophia Bush's Work in Progress podcast, she attributed the gossip to societal discomfort with her exercising personal choices. The rumours gained traction earlier this year when she did not accompany her husband to events like former President Jimmy Carter's funeral and President Donald Trump's second inauguration.
While explaining herself, she made it clear that her decisions to skip those occasions were deliberate, reflecting her newfound freedom to prioritise her own desires. "People couldn't even fathom that I was choosing myself, that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing," she said. "This couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?
But that's what society does to us." She further highlighted how her post-White House life has allowed her to redefine her priorities. "For the first time in my life, all of my choices are for me," she said, noting that she's been reflecting on questions like, "Who do I truly want to be every day?" She described the shift as liberating, though she acknowledged the societal pressure women face to avoid disappointing others.
The former first lady also touched on the broader implications of the rumours, suggesting they stem from a reluctance to accept women asserting independence. "If it doesn't fit into the stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labelled as something negative." The Obamas have consistently presented a united front, with Barack Obama recently sharing a heartfelt birthday tribute to his wife on social media, calling her his "rock" after 32 years together.
