Michelle Obama is done. After more than three decades of marriage, the former first lady is reportedly ready to pull the plug on her relationship with former president Barack Obama — and insiders say the split has been brewing for years.
On her podcast Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, the 61-year-old opened up about how quiet life has become since their daughters Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, moved out. “We always have the kids to talk about,” she said. “But now that we’re empty nesters, it’s like, what are we going to talk about?”
Sources tell RadarOnline that what they’re talking about lately isn’t much — and what they are saying to each other isn’t exactly sweet. Michelle has even confessed she gets “very irritated” by Barack’s chewing habits.
Separate Lives and Public Smiles
The marriage rumors hit a fever pitch earlier this year when Barack attended major events — including former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s second inauguration — without Michelle. Meanwhile, she was reportedly spending time solo in Hawaii.
The two briefly reunited for a yacht trip with Steven Spielberg off the coast of Italy, but insiders say that appearance was more about optics than love. “The Obamas have been living separate lives for a while now,” presidential historian Leon Wagener told RadarOnline. “Whenever you see them together, it’s just for appearances.”
Barack, 64, has also been spotted dining alone in California on several occasions, adding more fuel to the fire.
‘The Marriage Is Broken Beyond Repair’
Michelle has publicly denied divorce rumors before, saying there’s “never been one moment” she’s thought of leaving Barack. But insiders insist the relationship has reached a breaking point. “They clearly haven’t gotten along in years,” said Wagener. “They barely speak, and when they’re together, they look annoyed.”
It’s not the first time Michelle has vented about marital struggles. In 2022, she admitted there was a decade when she “couldn’t stand” her husband, blaming his career ambitions and her heavier load at home.
“She stayed for the kids and for the image,” said a source. “But now that the girls are grown, she’s finally ready to live life on her own terms.”
Hollywood Dreams vs. Political Ties
Insiders say the Obamas’ lives have completely diverged. Michelle has been chasing her entertainment ambitions in Hollywood through the couple’s Higher Ground Productions, while Barack remains deeply involved in Democratic politics on the East Coast.
“They’ve been living apart in every sense,” said one insider. “It’s no secret things are not going well. Their recent dinner in D.C. only showed how much distance there is between them.”
According to Wagener, “The marriage is broken beyond repair — and Michelle plans to file for divorce.”
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Once an Obama always an Obama.