Barack Obama Addresses Michelle Obama Divorce “Rumor Mill”

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Barack Obama is proving he and Michelle Obama are still rock solid.

During his guest appearance on their shared podcast, “IMO,” which is co-hosted by the former first lady and her brother Craig Robinson, the 44th president effectively quelled divorce speculations by immediately embracing his wife upon arrival at the show’s set.

During the July 13 podcast, Craig queried, “So, you two seem to have feelings for each other?” To which Michelle responded coyly, “Well, that’s what they say.

Later, the previous leader also participated in the banter, jokingly commenting about rumors suggesting a strain in their relationship, having married in 1992.

“She took me back,” he joked, adding, “It was touch and go for a while.”

But Michelle warned him not to be too playful about the matter, firing back, “Now don’t start.”

With rumors about their marriage swirling more strongly earlier this year, Michelle, who is now 61, made it clear that she would not mince words when it came to moving towards a real separation.

On an episode of the Diary of a CEO podcast in April, she stated, “If I had issues with my husband, they’d be quite apparent to everyone, including him.” In other words, if there were troubles, both he and others would be aware of them.

As an ardent admirer, let me express that the brilliant mind behind “Becoming” – who graciously co-parents Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, with Barack, aged 63 – didn’t hesitate to disclose candidly her thoughts on a hypothetical separation. She unequivocally stated that she refuses to be seen as a martyr, standing firm in her convictions and honesty.

She went on to say, “I’d be addressing issues openly and might find myself saying, ‘Allow me to share with you what happened.’

In April as well, Michelle shared her perspective on the source of the separation speculation, attributing it to personal choices she’s made since parting ways with the White House in 2017.

In the discussion on the Work in Progress with Sophia Bush podcast, she expressed that many women, including herself, often find themselves in situations where they fear disappointing others. To such an extent that when she made a personal choice this year, some people were unable to comprehend it and assumed instead that her marriage was ending.

For a look at other longstanding couples, keep reading.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’ve come to realize that my marriage is filled with an abundance of laughter, something I never anticipated. This shared joy is indeed a vital aspect of my identity, as expressed in Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue’s 2020 book “What Makes a Marriage Last.” The essence that holds our union together for over sixteen years is the understanding that my partner loves me unconditionally, regardless of my imperfections. This acceptance, I believe, is the very definition of grace.

In the face of disagreements, finding humor in the situation is essential. Even after heated arguments, one of us will attempt to lighten the mood with a joke related to the very topic we were arguing about. It’s like saying, “I may not admit I was wrong, and I might still believe I was entirely right, but can we at least start moving back towards the place where we found common ground?” Once that moment arrives, it’s usually a positive sign that our relationship is on its way to healing.

By adhering to the guidance they received during premarital counseling prior to their 2003 wedding, they’ve managed to bypass any significant home improvements. Despite having five children, regular Tuesday date nights are non-negotiable for them and they’ve chosen other means to bond rather than buying a television.

If I were to pass on a piece of advice from Chip, it would be to chase the one you love as relentlessly as a hornet. After more than two decades together, he still feels like the eager suitor seeking a second date. He clarified that while he doesn’t suspect his partner of infidelity, it won’t happen because he never expressed his love for her, didn’t send flowers, or forgot our special day.

In a humorous twist, Bacon once humorously advised against heeding advice from celebrities, reflecting on his long-lasting 32-year union. Essentially, their common saying, “Maintain clean disagreements and keep passion dirty,” was devised to halt any further discussions about their marriage.

In reality, they make a conscious effort to avoid prolonged arguments, seldom insisting on winning for the sake of it. As the actress from ‘The Closer’ shared with Thomas and Donahue, when disputes do arise, both parties are eagerly seeking resolutions. Their primary goal is to return their relationship to harmony as quickly as possible since they dislike conflicts. Furthermore, Bacon added, “There is no alternative plan. Regardless of the circumstances, we aim to resolve our issues.

After spending about 33 years in marriage, these actors have become skilled at having fair disputes. As Michael J. Fox from ‘Family Ties’ explained, they don’t exploit each other’s weaknesses. Some couples might see their partner’s vulnerabilities and instinctively attack them, treating it like a game or sport. However, they don’t engage in that behavior.

“At times, you have to remind yourself, ‘You know what? He said something thoughtless and it upset me. But he’s a good person, and I choose to believe that he didn’t realize his words would hurt my feelings.’

Curtis stated on Today in December 2024, as their 40th wedding anniversary approached, that the director of Waiting for Guffman makes him laugh more than any other person. He added humorously, “I’m certain there must be something about me that he appreciates. I’m not sure what it is, but I’m positive there has to be something.

In his words, the key factor that has sustained our relationship for so many years is our shared perspective that relationships are essentially impossible to fully define. The actor-turned-chef, Neil Patrick Harris, explained this during 18 years of career changes, raising 10-year-old twins Gideon and Harper, and navigating challenging times. He pointed out that marriage doesn’t remain constant; it evolves. As you continue to have an intimate relationship with the same person, sexual intimacy can become repetitive. To keep things fresh, he said, you must experiment and find new ways to be attracted to each other, even as you both age. Over time, he added, what initially drew us together – their physical appearance – may change, but we continue to fall in love with each other in different ways, as our bond keeps transforming.

Comic actors perceive their humor as extending their existence beyond their 15-year marriage itself. As the actress from “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” pointed out, a hearty laugh, particularly one that leaves you feeling lightheaded, adds to their lifespan. They even quantify it, assigning each laugh a specific duration, claiming, “That was like two months – I just gained two more months of life!”

They also set a time limit for disagreements. Falcone explained, “I’ve tried not going to bed angry, but soon realized that by morning I had forgotten the reason for my anger. It’s unproductive to analyze an argument when everyone is exhausted or possibly under the influence of alcohol. I’ve never experienced a situation where we’re having an argument at ten o’clock at night and then say, ‘That was good. We resolved our differences. Truce declared.’

In 1995, they were both married before meeting each other, which meant managing a marriage and step-parenting four children altogether. As the actor from “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” recounted, he quickly understood that his role was not to replace their mothers but to be a supportive friend. He realized that everyone needs a cheerleader, and so he decided to be just that – never imposing boundaries, discipline, or trying to teach them right from wrong, as their parents were handling that. The “Cheers” alum wholeheartedly agreed with this approach, emphasizing the importance of being a friend rather than a disciplinarian, offering companionship and support instead.

When same-sex civil unions became legal in Britain, the music legend and the Canadian advertising executive got married on December 21, 2005, and again exactly nine years later when they were allowed to wed legally. However, it’s their unexpected encounter at a dinner party in 1993 at the singer’s flat in Windsor, England, that they celebrate as an anniversary. Every Saturday, regardless of where they are, they write each other a handwritten letter. According to Furnish, this ritual offers a spiritual and tangible connection, allowing them to reflect on the past week and discuss the upcoming one. The five-time Grammy winner agrees, emphasizing that open communication is vital for maintaining a lasting relationship.

They have always prioritized their marriage, ensuring it remains a central part of their lives despite any shifts in their circumstances. As they explained, “We consider our union as non-negotiable and make efforts to refocus when we lose sight of it.” If the surgeon were to offer advice, it would be to cherish this bond above all else. He stated, “I am willing to go to any length for her, scale any mountain or absorb any bullet – even one straight to my heart. I may make mistakes that anger her, but nothing will stop me from expressing my love for her.” If you understand the importance of marriage in your lasting happiness, they emphasized, “You will never allow anyone to tamper with it.

ABC News reporter Roberts is not typically fond of idle conversation. As she expressed, “I dislike small talk,” she stated. “If you’re calling just to inquire about my day, no, I don’t appreciate that.” However, everyone’s beloved TV meteorologist is a phone enthusiast. Over the years, her frequent calls had become somewhat irritating, but a friend proposed an idea that altered her perspective. “

A friend told me, ‘Perhaps he finds comfort in hearing your voice because it reassures him that everything is okay?'” she recalled. “And I thought, ‘That’s very kind. I had never considered it in that light. If it means something to him, then it should mean something to me.'”

Now, she said, “I have come to understand the importance of taking a moment and saying, ‘Sweetie, I’ve got a few things on my plate, but what’s new with you? That’s great. I’m glad you called. Gotta run. Talk to you later. Love you.’ This small gesture makes all the difference in his world, and it doesn’t take much of my time to be kind and affectionate.” They celebrated their 25th anniversary in September.

The foundation for their 25-year long marriage was laid in their early days as newlyweds, where even a disagreement, such as one involving the actor from Riverdale tossing the talk show host’s ring out the window, seemed like it could have been the end. As the LIVE With Kelly and Ryan star explained, “In the beginning of a marriage, small issues can easily escalate into big ones – be it financial stress, career pressure, or sleeplessness due to children. But Mark showed me how to step back and take a breather. That’s when you realize that it’s not a deal-breaking situation.”

Clearly, they have learned from their experiences, but now, as parents of three, they are enjoying the fruits of their labor. “If you see a couple who appear genuinely happy, chances are they’ve been through some tough times and managed to come out on top,” he added. “That’s something worth being proud of.

The lead actress from How to Get Away With Murder offered some advice for soon-to-be married couples. She said that marriage doesn’t officially begin on the day you walk down the aisle, but rather when you look at your partner and realize that there is something about them that drives you crazy, yet you still love them. This moment, she explained, marks the beginning of your marriage. The actress described herself as an introvert, while her husband was an extrovert who seemed to be popular everywhere they went. She also noted that their differences in tidiness were a source of humor for them, with her being more messy and him being somewhat OCD. Despite these differences, they have learned to let each other live their own lives since they started dating in 2003.

The actress from How to Get Away With Murder gave some advice for couples about to get married. She said that marriage doesn’t really start until you look at your partner and see something about them that makes you a bit crazy, but you still love them anyway. This is when your marriage starts. The actress and her husband have different personalities – she’s more introverted while he’s outgoing and popular everywhere they go. They also have different ways of keeping things tidy, with her being messier and him being more organized. Despite these differences, they have learned to let each other be themselves since they started dating in 2003.

In any partnership that lasts for 50 years, prolonged disagreements are something you avoid. Jane Fonda, from ‘Grace and Frankie’, pointed out that in such situations, “It’s usually me who apologizes. It’s not difficult because I love her so much that I can’t stand the thought of her feeling lonely for even a few minutes.”

A more effective approach would be to prevent needing to apologize to your partner altogether. Fonda’s most important advice was, “Keep in mind, when you’re angry at your partner and say something harmful, you will later regret having hurt the person you care about. You’ll feel anger twice over. This is not good for your health, and certainly not beneficial for your relationship.

Jerry, a former New York State Supreme Court judge, once said that his long-term relationship with Judy, the famous TV judge, works because he often lets her have her way. However, she values understanding that not every decision will be to her liking. Their marriage of 12 years ended in 1990 due to Jerry’s inability to care for her following her father’s death. Despite this, they reconciled and remarried a year later, but she never expected him to suddenly take charge or manage household affairs.

“Every relationship is unique,” she noted, “but one constant source of unhappiness is trying to change someone into someone they’re not. You can try, but it will only lead to resentment.” In her view, no one should marry with the intention of altering their partner’s personality.

The former student, who has been lost at times, would undoubtedly feel adrift without his long-term partner, whom he wed in 1993. In an interview with TopMob News in April 2025, he shared, “My wife—gracefully enduring my globe-trotting and job changes—she’s been the rock that keeps our family grounded. She’s simply extraordinary.

The actor referred to his wife as remarkably patient, stating that their two sons always keep him grounded, regardless of the circumstances.

“They shape my values,” he added. “It’s great to have that perspective and North Star.”

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2025-07-16 16:48