Michelle Obama Dispels Divorce Rumors, Emphasizes Personal Choice

In a podcast appearance, Michelle Obama clarified the reasons behind her absences from public events in January, rebutting divorce rumors and asserting her autonomy in decision-making as she navigates life outside the White House.

In her recent podcast interview on “Work in Progress,” hosted by actress Sophia Bush, Michelle Obama spoke candidly about the unfounded rumors regarding her marriage to former President Barack Obama. The speculation surrounding a possible divorce gained momentum following her absence from two notable events in January: the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of President Donald Trump. While a scheduling conflict was cited for her absence at Carter’s funeral, the lack of an explanation for the inauguration prompted media conjecture about a marital rift.

Addressing the rumors, Mrs. Obama stressed her right to make choices independently, saying, “I chose to do what’s best for me, not what I had to do.” She highlighted that many people find it hard to accept her autonomy, suggesting societal norms often lead to assumptions about a woman's decisions being influenced by her husband. “This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?” she posed, illustrating the challenges women face in asserting their identity and choices.

Additionally, while the former first lady refrained from mentioning Donald Trump directly, she has previously expressed strong disapproval of the president, particularly condemning his promotion of conspiracy theories regarding Barack Obama's citizenship. Throughout the hour-long episode, Michelle Obama focused less on the rumors themselves and more on her personal growth and self-discovery following her time in the White House.

“Now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of, ‘Who do I truly want to be every day?’” she stated, reflecting on the evolution of her identity as her daughters enter adulthood. Ultimately, Michelle Obama expressed a central tenet of her message: “I learned that I can really only control me,” a reminder of the pursuit of individual agency in a complex public life.