Michelle Obama has reportedly drawn a firm line against any return to national politics, warning her husband, former President Barack Obama, that if he entertains another run for the White House, their marriage would not survive it. Sources close to the couple said the former first lady has made it clear she is "done with political life" and refuses to relive the turmoil of their years in Washington.
The alleged ultimatum, first reported by Hollywood insider sources, comes amid speculation among Democrats that Barack Obama could potentially seek a third term if Donald Trump were to exploit a legal loophole allowing him to run again. While some within the party see the notion as a strategic masterstroke, those close to the Obamas say Michelle is having none of it.
According to a longtime family friend cited in the report, "If Barack ever tried to run again, Michelle would walk. She's done her time. She does not want to go back to the White House - not for a single day." The source added that tensions between the pair surfaced earlier this year during private discussions at their £9 million estate on Martha's Vineyard.
The former first lady has reportedly quipped to friends, "I'd rather divorce a president than live like one again." Insiders say such remarks reflect her deep reluctance to return to public life, describing her as emotionally drained by years under constant scrutiny.
Barack Obama himself has previously acknowledged the strain politics placed on his marriage. In a past interview, he said he had "a big deficit with my wife that I kind of had to work my way out of," a candid admission that those close to the couple say revealed long-standing tensions from his presidency.
Michelle has also been open about her early opposition to Barack's political ambitions. On The Michelle Obama Podcast, she recalled that her brother, Craig Robinson, convinced her to support Barack's first run for office, even though she initially resisted. "Being married to the president of the United States (is a) thing that none of us kind of banked on. We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but, you know...," she said, reflecting on how unexpected the path to the White House had been.
Recent reports have gone further, suggesting the Obamas are preparing for a potential split. One insider claimed the couple has been "organizing how to divide their reported £70 million fortune," which includes multiple homes in Washington, Martha's Vineyard, and Chicago, as well as a stock portfolio valued above $25 million. "They want to have everything ironed out in advance," the source said. "The last thing they want is an ugly fight with lots of nasty legal filings."
The Obamas have publicly downplayed divorce rumors before. When Barack appeared as a surprise guest on Michelle's podcast, he joked, "She took me back. It was touch and go for a while," to which Michelle replied, "There hasn't been one moment in our marriage when I thought about quitting my man." However, sources close to the family later described the exchange as "rehearsed" and designed to counter growing speculation about their marriage.
