Michelle Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson, recently revealed on their IMO podcast that he originally didn’t expect her relationship with Barack Obama to last more than a month. During an episode focused on dating—with guest Tracee Ellis Ross—Robinson recalled how Michelle asked him early on to test Barack’s character through a game of pick-up basketball, following advice from their father. He admitted he doubted the relationship, joking about Barack’s unusual name and Michelle’s dating history, but said that once they played together, Barack proved himself and made a positive impression on the family.
In recent months, renewed speculation about the Obamas’ marriage has been fueled by Michelle’s absence from several major public events, including the funeral of President Jimmy Carter and former President Donald Trump’s inauguration. This speculation intensified after Barack Obama candidly acknowledged in an interview that he had been in a “deep deficit” with his wife and had been working to repair strain created during his presidency. He reiterated that leaving the White House helped his relationship, praising Michelle for being forgiving and patient during the years when political life placed enormous pressure on their marriage.
Michelle Obama has firmly rejected the divorce rumors, addressing them directly on Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast. She explained that her recent decisions to limit public appearances were motivated by personal well-being rather than marital issues. She criticized the tendency of society—particularly toward women—to assume crisis when a woman prioritizes herself. Emphasizing that her choices were independent and intentional, she dismissed speculation about her marriage, making it clear that she and Barack are not separating.