Michelle Obama has finally addressed the swirling rumors about her marriage to former President Barack Obama, putting an end to months of speculation. Talk of trouble between the former First Couple began earlier this year when Barack attended former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral alone, without Michelle by his side.

The rumors only intensified when Michelle later confirmed that she would not be attending President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. For many observers, her absence from such significant public moments raised eyebrows and led to widespread speculation that something serious might be going on behind the scenes in their marriage. However, Michelle has now spoken publicly to clear the air, making it absolutely clear that her recent decisions have nothing to do with the strength of her relationship with Barack.

Appearing on Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast, the former First Lady opened up about the assumptions people make when a woman like herself chooses to step away from the spotlight. Michelle stated that saying no to certain events was simply about making choices that were best for her personally, not a signal of any kind of marital rift. “When I say ‘no,’ most people get it. But others can’t imagine that I might just be making choices for myself,” she explained. “Instead, they assume something must be wrong — like my husband and I are splitting up.” She went on to highlight how women are often not granted the same autonomy as men when it comes to making decisions about their own lives. Michelle pointed out that society frequently expects women to meet specific standards or fit certain molds, and when they deviate from those expectations, people tend to jump to negative conclusions. “Society doesn’t always allow women to simply act in their own interests,” she added. “If our decisions don’t fit the narrative people expect, they often assume the worst.”

Her remarks came just days after Barack Obama himself publicly acknowledged the toll his presidency took on their relationship. Speaking at Hamilton College earlier in the month, the 44th president admitted that his political career strained their marriage. “I was in a deep deficit with my wife,” he said honestly. “I’ve been trying to dig myself out by doing some fun things now and then.” Michelle has also been candid in the past about the challenges of maintaining a healthy and lasting marriage. In a 2023 interview with Revolt TV, she shared that not every year of their marriage was blissful. “There were 10 years where I just couldn’t stand him,” she revealed. “But I’d still take 10 hard years over giving up 30 good ones. It’s all about how you see the bigger picture.” According to Michelle, much of the strain stemmed from the uneven balance of responsibilities in their household during Barack’s political rise.

While he was often consumed by work, she was left to shoulder the majority of the parenting duties for their daughters, Malia and Sasha. “That’s when the resentment builds,” she noted, explaining that many couples misdirect their frustrations at each other rather than tackling the actual source of the stress. Despite the ongoing rumors and public scrutiny, those close to the Obamas maintain that their marriage remains strong. One source told PageSix that Michelle simply chose not to attend certain D.C. events and that it had nothing to do with any issues in her relationship. “They’re real about the fact that no marriage is perfect, and they’ve never tried to portray theirs as a fairy tale,” the insider explained. Having been married for more than three decades, Michelle and Barack have consistently been honest about the hard work, commitment, and compromise that go into a successful partnership. Through eight years in the White House and many public and private challenges, they’ve continued to support each other while also being transparent about their journey. Michelle’s latest comments serve as an empowering reminder that self-care and setting boundaries are not indicators of trouble—they’re signs of personal strength and wisdom, especially when lived out in the public eye.