'She Took Me Back': Barack and Michelle Obama Joke About Divorce Rumours on Podcast with Her Brother

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, married for nearly 33 years, have faced persistent speculation about their relationship, fuelled by Michelle's absence from key public events and Barack's cryptic comments.

On 16 July 2025, the couple addressed these rumours head-on during a candid episode of Michelle's podcast, IMO, co-hosted with her brother, Craig Robinson.

With humour and heartfelt honesty, they dispelled notions of marital strife, reaffirming their enduring partnership.

The Roots of Divorce Speculation

Rumours about the Obamas' marriage intensified in early 2025 when Michelle, aged 61, skipped high-profile events, including former President Jimmy Carter's funeral on 9 January 2025 and Donald Trump's inauguration on 20 January 2025.

Her absence, attributed to a 'scheduling conflict' and an extended holiday in Hawaii, sparked online chatter.

Barack's April 2025 admission of being in a 'deep deficit' with his wife further fueled speculation, as did a body language expert's analysis of their 15 December 2024 dinner in Los Angeles, noting Barack's 'sombre' demeanour.

X posts from @nypost on 26 June 2025 state, 'Michelle Obama addresses divorce rumours — and why she's rarely seen with Barack: 'We're 60, y'all'.'

The couple's limited public appearances together, coupled with Michelle's comments about embracing her independence as an empty nester, led some to question their unity.

A Playful Rebuttal on IMO

On the IMO podcast, recorded on 16 July 2025, Barack, 63, joined Michelle and Craig to tackle the rumours with levity.

When Craig jokingly asked, 'What, you guys like each other?' Michelle responded, 'Oh yeah, the rumour mill.' Barack quipped, 'She took me back! It was touch and go for a while,' prompting laughter.

Michelle added, 'When we aren't [in the same room], folks think we're divorced,' addressing their reduced joint appearances.

She passionately affirmed their commitment, stating, 'There hasn't been one moment in our marriage where I thought about quitting my man.'

X posts from @OliLondonTV on 16 July 2025 state, 'Michelle and Barack Obama shut down divorce rumours... 'We've had some hard times, we have had a lot of fun times... and I've become a better person because of the man I'm married to'.'

Their playful banter and mutual admiration underscored a relationship that had been strengthened by decades of challenges and triumphs.

A Marriage Built on Resilience

Married since 3 October 1992, Barack and Michelle have navigated public life, raising daughters Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, while facing intense scrutiny.

Michelle's podcast revelations about therapy and transitioning to an empty-nester phase reflect her focus on personal growth, not marital discord.

She told The Diary of a CEO on 7 May 2025, 'If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it.'

Their joint projects, including a £1,800,000 deal with HBO for a show featuring Larry David, announced on 10 June 2025, and their unified statements, such as one honouring Hadiya Pendleton on 29 January 2025, signal a strong partnership.

Michelle's rejection of the 'Mrs. Obama' title on Las Culturistas in June 2025 highlights her desire for authenticity, not distance from Barack.

Barack and Michelle Obama's podcast appearance was a masterclass in addressing rumours with humour and honesty.

By acknowledging the speculation while reaffirming their bond, they silenced doubters and showcased a marriage rooted in resilience.