“I Was Making A Choice.”: Michelle Obama Breaks Silence Over Divorce Rumors

Michelle Obama, the former US first lady, has explained why she has been taking a step back from public and political life, stating she is prioritizing her own well-being and making mindful decisions about reclaiming her time.

On talking to actress Sophia Bush on Work In Progress, she also put an end to the divorce rumours with Barack Obama and spoke of changes in her life after the White House move eight years back. With daughters now grown, she mentioned she has gained freedom to relook at priorities and work on self–care.

Her non-appearance at events like President Donald Trump’s second inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this year fueled speculation that all was not well between the Obamas. The most enduring rumour was that she and former US President Barack Obama were on the brink of a breakup.

“I might have been able to make a lot of these choices years ago, but I didn’t grant myself that kind of freedom. Perhaps even as much as I allowed my children to live their own lives, I use their lives as an excuse for why I couldn’t do something,” she said, according to CNN.

Ms Obama shared that pulling back from some of these high-profile commitments was a conscious decision based on self-care. “I get to go look at my calendar, which I did this year, was a complete huge example of me, myself examining something that I was going to do – you know, without pointing any fingers – and I decided what was best for me, not what I ought to do, not what other people wanted me to do,” she said.

To that, Ms Obama agreed with the awkwardness that many women experienced in prioritizing themselves. She continued, “That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with, like disappointing people. I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know – they couldn’t even imagine that I was making a decision for myself that they had to presume that my husband and I are divorcing.”

Although she stepped back from some public appearances, Michelle Obama reported that she remained busy with causes near and dear to her. She reported that she continued to give speeches, worked on different projects and remained involved in girls’ education.

Ms Obama has not hesitated to talk about the strains their marriage has endured, particularly when Barack Obama was president. In her book ‘Becoming,’ she described moments of personal stress, such as feelings of isolation and fatigue while they were in the White House.

She has had a strong voice in American public life ever since, particularly on education and politics. She was an active participant in the 2024 campaign cycle, supporting Kamala Harris.

Speaking at a rally in Michigan prior to the election, she stated: “Please, please do not hand our fates over to the likes of Trump, who knows nothing about us, who has shown deep contempt for us.”

The Obamas have two daughters and have been married for 32 years.