I’ve heard the whispers, the headlines, the speculation—“Are they still together?” “Why isn’t Michelle at the funeral?” “Is this the end of the Obamas?” And I’ll admit, it stings. But let me be clear: Barack and I are still very much together. We’ve weathered storms far tougher than gossip. The truth is, I’m finally living life on my own terms. With our daughters grown and Barack out of office, I’ve embraced a new kind of freedom—one where I choose when and where I show up.
We’re not 30 anymore. We’re 60. And no, we don’t Instagram every date night or pose for every gala. That doesn’t mean we’re drifting apart—it means we’re evolving. I’ve chosen to skip certain events, not out of defiance, but out of self-respect. I no longer feel obligated to fulfill every public expectation. That’s not rebellion. That’s growth.
When Barack joined me and my brother Craig on our podcast, we laughed about the rumors. “She took me back,” he joked. And I laughed, because humor is how we survive the noise. We’ve had hard times, sure. But never once have I thought about quitting on my man. Not once.
People forget that marriage isn’t a performance. It’s a partnership. And sometimes, that means stepping back from the spotlight to protect what’s sacred. I’ve spent decades showing up for others. Now, I’m showing up for myself—and for us.
Skipping Jimmy Carter’s funeral or Trump’s inauguration wasn’t a political statement. It was a personal one. I needed space. I needed rest. And I needed to reclaim my time. That’s not abandonment. That’s self-care.
I’ve learned that silence doesn’t mean absence. Just because you don’t see us together every week doesn’t mean we’re not connected. We talk. We laugh. We love. We just don’t broadcast it. And that’s okay.
So to those who wonder if we’re okay—yes, we are. We’re just older, wiser, and more intentional. We’re not here to entertain your assumptions. We’re here to live our truth.
And our truth is this: love doesn’t always look like a photo op. Sometimes, it looks like quiet mornings, shared jokes, and the kind of bond that doesn’t need validation. We’re still us. Just more private. And more powerful than ever.
