Michelle and Barack Obama Address Divorce Rumors: “We’ve Had Hard Times — And a Lot of Fun Times”

L-R: Barack Obama, Craig Robinson, and Michelle Obama

Source: Africa Publicity

Former American President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are addressing persistent rumors about the state of their marriage.

The couple appeared together on a new episode of “IMO,” a podcast hosted by Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson. During the episode, Robinson commented on having both his sister and brother-in-law “in the same room,” to which Michelle quipped, “I know, because when we aren’t, folks think we’re divorced.”

Barack responded more lightly, saying, “These are the kinds of things I just miss. I don’t even know this stuff’s going on. Then somebody mentions it, and I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’”

Michelle spoke more directly about their relationship:

“There hasn’t been one moment in our marriage where I’ve thought about quitting on my man. We’ve had some really hard times, and we’ve had a lot of fun times — a lot of adventures — and I’ve become a better person because of the man I’m married to.”

She also acknowledged the outsized public scrutiny they continue to face:

“Even in this phase in our lives, when Barack and I say something — right or wrong — it gets covered,” she said in a previous interview on NPR’s Wild Card. “The fact that people don’t see me going out on a date with my husband sparks rumors of the end of our marriage.”

The Obamas, married since 1992, have two daughters, Malia and Sasha, and have publicly maintained that their bond remains strong despite ongoing tabloid speculation.