Michelle Obama has finally addressed why she’s been stepping back from the public eye, and the reason is more personal than anyone expected. The former first lady, 61, opened up on Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast, revealing that she has distanced herself from politics to focus on her daughters—something she may soon have to do alone amid whispers of a looming split from Barack Obama.
Despite persistent calls for her to enter the political arena, Michelle shot down speculation that she might run for president, making it clear that she has no interest in stepping back into the spotlight. “When people ask me, would I ever run [for office], the answer is no,” she stated firmly.
However, what caught many off guard was her candid discussion about the toll the White House years took on her family. Michelle confessed that she was relieved when their time in Washington ended, explaining how Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, were forced into a highly publicized childhood they never asked for. “I was so glad when we got out of the White House,” she admitted. “I wanted them to have the freedom of not having the eyes of the world on them.”
Now, sources claim that their parents’ high-profile marriage is unraveling behind closed doors. Reports suggest that Michelle and Barack, 63, are in the final stages of dividing their $70 million fortune and preparing to announce their separation.
“They want to have everything ironed out in advance,” an insider revealed, noting that legal teams have been discreetly working to untangle their finances before making a public statement later this year. “The last thing they want is an ugly fight with lots of nasty legal filings.”
While Barack publicly wished Michelle a happy birthday in a heartfelt social media post, sources insist that their marriage is all but over. The former first couple has allegedly been leading separate lives for quite some time, with Michelle prioritizing her Hollywood projects over Barack’s political aspirations.
The situation reportedly turned toxic following the Democrats’ crushing defeat in the 2024 election, where Donald Trump secured victory over Kamala Harris. According to insiders, Barack had pressured Michelle to run for office after Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal, but she refused—an act that left Barack humiliated and further strained their already fragile relationship.
“They’d already been living separate lives, but after Michelle refused to run, Barack was forced to back Kamala. That was a total humiliation for him—especially since she lost,” an insider spilled.
As the former power couple works to finalize the division of their extensive assets—including homes in Washington, D.C., Martha’s Vineyard, and Chicago—sources say an official divorce announcement is only a matter of time. “It’s far from easy to untangle three decades of life together, but maintaining the illusion of a happy marriage is no longer a solution,” a source concluded. “They both know they’re better off on their own.”
