Michelle Obama Addresses Rumors of Divorce in Candid Podcast Interview

In a recent podcast, Michelle Obama shares insights about personal choices and the misinformation surrounding her public absences.

In a revealing conversation on the podcast "Work in Progress," hosted by actress Sophia Bush, Michelle Obama tackled rumors of divorce from her husband, former President Barack Obama. This discussion comes after heightened speculation due to her absence at two significant events in January—President Trump’s inauguration and the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. Critics and media outlets had linked these no-shows to potential marital issues, questioning her absence particularly at the inauguration where she previously did not provide a clear explanation.

On the podcast, Mrs. Obama expressed her commitment to prioritizing her own choices, articulating that her absence from these events stemmed from personal decisions, not marital discord. "I chose to do what’s best for me, not what I had to do," she asserted, challenging the notion that her choices could not be simply personal. She acknowledged public's inclination to speculate about her marriage, noting, "People couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself."

Moreover, she refrained from directly mentioning former President Trump but has previously criticized him for propagating false claims regarding her husband's citizenship. Through her remarks, Mrs. Obama highlighted her journey of self-exploration post-White House, stating, "Now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of, ‘Who do I truly want to be every day?’" The former first lady emphasized the significance of personal autonomy, particularly as she navigates her life without the constant scrutiny of being in the political spotlight.

This recent dialogue underscores a broader conversation about personal agency and the unrealistic portrayals that media often inflicts on public figures, particularly women. "I learned that I can really only control me," she concluded, reinforcing her narrative of empowerment and self-control in a world rife with assumptions and rumors.