Michelle Obama broke her recent public silence this week, addressing long-standing speculation about her absence from politics and ongoing rumors surrounding her marriage to former President Barack Obama. Speaking on the "Not Gonna Lie" podcast hosted by Kylie Kelce, the former First Lady made it clear she has no interest in returning to public office, citing the toll her husband's presidency took on their family.
"When people ask me, would I ever run [for office], the answer is no," Michelle Obama stated. "Not only am I not interested in politics in that way but the thought of putting my girls back into that spotlight when they are just now establishing themselves - we've done enough."
"I was so glad when we got out of the White House. I wanted them to have the freedom of not having the eyes of the world on them." She said.
Obama, 61, explained that her daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, spent their formative years under intense public scrutiny. "They still are dealing with paparazzi and being who they are and trying to carve out their own identity," she said. "They've already served their time... it would be unthinkable. Nope."
Her comments come amid heightened public curiosity about her retreat from the spotlight, a decision she insists was made in her daughters' best interest. However, behind the scenes, sources allege a different narrative is playing out.
RadarOnline.com recently reported that the former First Lady and her husband of 32 years are quietly negotiating what some insiders describe as the "split deal of the century." According to those familiar with the matter, the couple's lawyers and mediators are working to divide their estimated $70 million fortune and extensive asset portfolio, including homes in Washington, D.C., Martha's Vineyard, and Chicago, as well as a stock portfolio valued at over $25 million.
"They want to have everything ironed out in advance," one insider told RadarOnline.com. "The last thing they want is an ugly fight with lots of nasty legal filings."
While Barack Obama wished his wife a happy birthday via a public message on X in January, sources close to the couple suggest a formal announcement of their separation could be released later this year, after their financial matters are settled.
Speculation about the state of their marriage intensified following the 2024 election, when Barack reportedly urged Michelle to enter the presidential race after Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal. According to insiders, Michelle declined, opting instead to focus on media projects and her Hollywood ambitions-a decision that allegedly strained their relationship further.
"They'd already been living separate lives on opposite coasts for some time, but that was no longer an option after Michelle refused to run and Barack was forced to back Kamala," a source claimed. "That was a total humiliation for him-especially since she lost."
Michelle's absence at recent high-profile events, including former President Jimmy Carter's funeral and a Los Angeles Clippers game attended by Barack, has not gone unnoticed. Page Six previously reported that Michelle has largely checked out of Washington life, preferring to spend most of her time at the couple's estate in Martha's Vineyard.
One source told Page Six, "You cannot tell Michelle what to do - no one can."
Still, the Obamas have used social media to project a united front, often sharing affectionate posts that appear to counter rumors of marital discord. But insiders suggest their private negotiations may soon become public knowledge, marking the first post-White House divorce in U.S. history.
