Gambiaj.com – (Washington, DC) – Former First Lady Michelle Obama has spoken out about her decision to step back from public engagements, addressing speculation about her marriage to former President Barack Obama. Speaking on the Work in Progress podcast with actress Sophia Bush, Obama discussed her newfound autonomy, emphasizing her desire to prioritize her own well-being after decades of public service and family commitments.

Obama, who has been noticeably absent from several high-profile political events—including President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign rallies and the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter—explained that she now has the freedom to make decisions based on what she truly wants, rather than external expectations.

“I could have made a lot of these decisions years ago, but I didn’t give myself that freedom,” she said. “Maybe even as much as I let my kids live their own lives, I used their lives as an excuse for why I couldn’t do something.”

Her decision to step back, however, has fueled rumors of marital troubles. Some observers speculated that her absence from key events signaled a potential split from her husband of 32 years. Obama directly addressed the speculation, attributing it to the societal expectation that women must always put others before themselves.

“That’s the thing that we as women struggle with—disappointing people,” she said. “I mean so much so that this year people were, you know—they couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.”

The Obamas, a couple known for their strong public presence, have previously acknowledged the strains of political life on their relationship. In her memoir Becoming, Michelle Obama candidly wrote about the loneliness and exhaustion she experienced during her husband’s presidency.

Despite the pressures, Barack Obama recently reaffirmed their enduring partnership, sharing a heartfelt post on social media marking their 32nd wedding anniversary last October.

While the former first lady remains active in philanthropy and advocacy—continuing her work on girls’ education and the upcoming opening of the Obama Presidential Library—she made it clear that she is prioritizing her own well-being.

“I still find time to give speeches, to be out there in the world, to work on projects,” she said. “But I also get to decide what I am and am not doing.”

Obama’s remarks reflect a broader conversation about women reclaiming agency over their lives, even in the face of public scrutiny. As she steps back from the political spotlight, she appears determined to define this new phase of her life on her own terms.

Source: CNN