Speculation arose earlier this year when Barack Obama attended former President Jimmy Carter\u2019s funeral alone, without Michelle at his side. The rumors only grew louder days later when Michelle confirmed she would not be attending Donald Trump\u2019s second inauguration\u2014sparking questions about whether the famously tight-knit couple was going through a rough patch.<\/p>\n
Now, Michelle is clearing the air. In a recent episode of Work in Progress with Sophia Bush, the former First Lady addressed the whispers head-on, explaining that her decision to skip certain public events had nothing to do with problems in her marriage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I say \u2018no,\u2019 most people understand. But some assume something\u2019s wrong\u2014like Barack and I are headed for divorce,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for people to grasp that I might simply be making choices based on what\u2019s best for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also discussed the unrealistic expectations society often places on women, saying, \u201cWomen aren\u2019t always given space to act in their own self-interest. If our choices don\u2019t match the story others expect, people assume the worst.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michelle\u2019s comments come shortly after Barack opened up about the strain his presidency once put on their marriage. While speaking at Hamilton College, the former president admitted, \u201cI owed my wife a lot. I\u2019ve been trying to make it up to her with fun little things here and there.\u201d<\/p>\n