It’s not unusual for couples to spend time apart, but when you’re a former First Lady like Michelle Obama, people tend to read into it a bit more.
On Thursday, Michelle was seen out and about in Los Angeles—without former President Barack Obama by her side—fueling ongoing rumors about the state of their marriage.
Making a Quiet Statement—with Style
Despite the whispers, Michelle appeared to be sending a subtle yet clear message to those speculating about her relationship.
She proudly sported both her diamond engagement ring and wedding band during a visit to The Academy headquarters in North Hollywood.
She wasn’t flying solo either—Michelle was joined by her brother and podcast cohost, Craig Robinson.
The two have been working closely together on her new podcast, IMO (In Michelle Obama’s words), and Thursday’s outing had all the energy of family bonding rather than any hint of tension.
And, of course, she looked as chic as ever. Michelle wore a sleek $650 olive-green cardigan from Nili Lotan, paired with brown kitten heels and her signature long, wavy ponytail.
Her look was topped off with a luxurious Bottega Veneta tote bag worth a cool $3,700.
Where’s Barack?
While Michelle appeared in high spirits, Barack was notably absent.
The couple hasn’t been publicly photographed together since December—nearly five months ago.
That gap, coupled with Michelle’s recent comments about the challenges of marriage, has only fueled the separation rumors.
Getting Real About Marriage on Her Podcast
Michelle’s been candid about love and relationships on her IMO podcast, often digging into the highs and lows of married life with Craig and guests like actress Tracee Ellis Ross.
In a recent episode, Michelle opened up about how things started with Barack—and it wasn’t exactly love at first sight for her family.
Craig admitted he was skeptical when Michelle began dating Barack.
“We were like, ‘Barack? Who’s named Barack?’” he joked, adding that he didn’t think the relationship would even last a month.
“Marriage Is Hard, Period”
Michelle isn’t sugarcoating anything. She’s been honest with her listeners about how tough marriage can be, especially when raising kids.
“Marriage is hard—and it’s supposed to be,” she shared. “It’s the right kind of hard, but don’t be shocked when it gets tough.”
She also warned young couples to prepare for rough patches—especially if kids are in the mix.
“Those early years—from ages one to 13—can really knock you off balance as an adult,” she said. “It’s beautiful, but it’s a lot.”
Lessons from Dating and Dealing with Cheaters
Michelle got real about her dating history, sharing how past experiences with cheating taught her some tough lessons.
“I dated people who cheated, and I learned early on that it had nothing to do with me,” she explained.
She made a conscious decision not to settle for dishonesty in a relationship.
“If I ever felt like I wanted to explore something new, I’d rather be honest and break things off than string someone along.”
Staying True to Herself
She emphasized that when it came time to choose a life partner, honesty was non-negotiable.
“I dated people who were broken in that way,” she said. “I just don’t enjoy the guessing game about whether someone’s being faithful.”
Divorce Rumors and Public Assumptions
Ever since Michelle skipped high-profile events like former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration, speculation about a rift between her and Barack has swirled.
Earlier this month, she addressed those rumors head-on in a podcast with actress Sophia Bush.
She made it clear: her absence was about personal choice—not marital issues.
“People couldn’t believe I made that decision for myself,” she said, calling it frustrating that the assumption was immediately about divorce.
A Message to Women: It’s Okay to Put Yourself First
Michelle expressed disappointment in how women are expected to meet others’ expectations, often at the cost of their own autonomy.
“As women, we struggle with disappointing people,” she said.
“We finally start asking ourselves, ‘Who am I doing this for?’ And if it doesn’t match the image people expect, it’s seen as something terrible.”
For Michelle, that narrative is outdated—and she’s not playing by those rules.