Michelle Obama has addressed speculation about her marriage to Barack Obama amid rumors of relationship troubles.
The former first lady’s absence from several high-profile events, including Donald Trump’s inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, has fueled conjecture about a potential separation.
Without directly referencing these specific occasions, Ms. Obama explained on the Work in Progress podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush that she now exercises her right to manage her own schedule as a “grown woman.”
She expressed frustration that people couldn’t accept she was “making a decision” independently, saying they “had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.”
Ms. Obama acknowledged feeling some guilt about stepping back from certain responsibilities. “That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with like disappointing people,” she said.
“I mean, so much so that this year people couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing. This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? But that’s what society does to us.”
During the podcast, she emphasized her autonomy: “I chose to do what was best for me. Not what I had to do. Not what I thought other people wanted me to do.”
Her absence from President Trump’s inauguration was noted as departing from tradition.
Despite creating more personal time, the former first lady maintains she continues to “give speeches, to be out there in the world, to work on projects. I still care about girls’ education.”
The Obamas celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in October last year.
Ms. Obama has previously discussed challenges in her marriage related to Mr. Obama’s political career and White House tenure in her bestselling memoir, Becoming.
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