Latest news with #SashaObama
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michelle Obama continues to fuel divorce rumors with comment about feeling 'free' from Barack
Michelle Obama made a frank admission about life at home with husband Barack Obama after spending months dodging divorce rumors. The former first lady, 61, shared the insight about being an empty nester with a husband who is no longer serving as the President of the United States on Wednesday's episode of her podcast, IMO, which she hosts with older brother Craig Robinson. 'I mean at this stage in life for me, personally, is the first time I've been completely free,' the mother-of-two told guest Julia Louis-Dreyfus. 'There's been a release where every choice I make is not about my husband, not about his career, not about my family, not about what my kids need or where they're going, it's totally about me,' she admitted, quipping: 'This is when we start living ladies.' Michelle and Barack share daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 24. The Obamas have been married for almost 33 years but have faced ongoing rumors about their marriage status over the last few months. The rumor mill swirled after her decision to skip both Jimmy Carter's funeral and President Donald Trump's inauguration - with Michelle insisting they were decisions she made for herself. Her absence at the high-profile political events stoked divorce rumors, as did President Obama's admission in April that he was in a 'deep deficit' with his wife. But in May, the former first lady attempted to set the record straight during a podcast with entrepreneur and investor Steven Bartlett. 'If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,' she said, laughing. The host mentioned how the media had speculated about pair's future after she skipped out on the public appearances. Steven said her absence left some believing 'there's an issue with you and Barack, there's a divorce coming.' 'Let me tell you, he would know it,' Michelle said, directing a finger at her brother, Craig Robinson. 'And everybody would know it.' She added that she is 'not a martyr' and joked about how she would address such marital strife publicly. Michelle acknowledged that marriage is 'hard' for her and the former president but added that 'I wouldn't trade it,' calling President Obama, 'as the young people say... my person.' 'The beauty of my husband and our partnership is that neither one of us was ever really, ever going to quit at it, because that's not who we are. And I know that about him. He knows that about me.' She said that young people give up on marriage too soon, in part because they see a false image of a perfect union between herself and her husband. 'I talk about these things because I think that people give up too quickly on marriage,' the Becoming author said. 'Because there is so much friction built into the equation. And if you're not getting help, talking about it, going to therapy, just understanding how things are changing, and how do you continuously renegotiate your relationship with your partner, I just see people quitting,' she said. 'Because they look at me and Barack and go, "#couple goals." And I'm like, it's hard,' Michelle added. Michelle also spoke about a tough parenting conversation the couple had after they moved into the White House on Wednesday. She explained that she told her husband he had to get their daughters' school used to the President of the United States being at events - and that she wanted him to still be as engaged with this daughters' lives as he was before he took office. 'It was like, "no, you got to go to parent-teacher conference" - and he wanted to go,' Michelle told Julia and Craig. She stated that even if he was not necessarily required to go, she still expected him there. 'You have to get the school normalized to you being the type of engaged parent that you were before election night,' she recalled telling Barack. 'And you were the father that went to parent teacher conference, you were the father that would coach your girls' basketball game league,' she recounted.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Michelle Obama ‘glad' she didn't have a son: ‘He would've been a Barack Obama'
Former First Lady Michelle Obama says she's 'so glad' none of her children was a boy because that hypothetical child would've carried a heavy burden — his famous father's name. Speaking on her 'IMO' podcast alongside radio host Angie Martinez and her brother, Craig Robinson, the ex-first lady was discussing the challenges of raising boys in today's society when she exclaimed: 'I'm so glad I didn't have a boy.' When Martinez asked why she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, didn't try for a son to complement their two daughters, Sasha and Malia, Obama replied: 'Because he would've been a Barack Obama!' Martinez said a 'baby Barack' would've been 'amazing,' at which point the former First Lady said she 'would've felt for him,' referring to the hypothetical son under discussion. Robinson, the current executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, jumped in by stating that his sister and her husband 'just borrowed our boys,' referring to the children he has had from his two marriages over the years. The former first lady's relief at not having had a male child stems from the fact that her husband, whose full name is Barack Hussein Obama II, would have likely elected to name him Barack Obama III. The 44th president, who was the first Black person to serve as America's chief executive, was named for his father, Barack Hussein Obama. The elder Obama was a Kenyan economist and government official who met the future president's mother, anthropologist Stanley Ann Dunham, while they were both studying at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 1960s.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Michelle Obama enjoys intimate lunch with longtime male friend as she jets off on lavish Spain getaway WITHOUT Barack
Michelle Obama and her daughters were pictured enjoying lunch at an exclusive club on the idyllic Spanish island of Mallorca. In photos obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail, the former first lady, 61, kept a low profile in large, stylish sunglasses and a multi-colored print dress, while dining at The Lobster Club in Puerto Portals. Michelle, 61, was joined by James Costos, 62, former US ambassador to Spain and his partner Michael Smith, 62, the Obamas' longtime interior designer and former White House decorator‑in‑chief. Aspiring filmmaker Malia, 26, looked chic in a black polka dot halter neck crop top and a black mini skirt and flashed her toned stomach. Younger sister Sasha, 24, flaunted her effortlessly style in an oversized off the shoulder white tee and a long pleated brown skirt. Notably not in attendance: former President Barack Obama. Michael and James have been longtime friends of the Obamas and hosted the family many times at their Rancho Mirage home in Palm Springs, California. 'When they were here, it occurred to me that more than 50 years ago JFK had stayed just down the road at Bing Crosby's home,' Michael told Architectural Digest in 2017. 'The President and Mrs Obama basically woke up in the morning to the same view of the valley. There was something lovely about that thought. 'It made me contemplate all the change that has taken place in those decades, contrasting with the timelessness of this beautiful desert landscape.' This group outing comes amid ongoing rumors about the state of Michelle and Barack's marriage status over the last several months. Michelle dismissed speculation about her marriage and addressed the rumors head on during a podcast episode of The Diary of a CEO in May. During the episode, she told the hosts, 'If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it.' Michelle also praised her husband on her latest podcast episode as a 'tremendous father.' She said that even when Barack was president, he left the job at the door whenever he talked to his daughters to help cultivate their formative years. Rumors surrounding the Obama's relationship began when Michelle skipped several high-profile events, including Donald Trump's inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter's funeral. Michelle's lunch trip comes just days after she appeared on Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang's Las Culturistas podcast where she made it clear she doesn't like being referred to as 'Mrs. Obama'. During their sit-down, Matt revealed that before cameras started rolling, Michelle had asked him not to call her 'Mrs. Obama.' 'Earlier I was like, "Thank you so much, Mrs. Obama," and you said, "Michelle,"' Rogers said. 'I did say that,' Michelle responded with a laugh, before explaining why she likes to avoid the name. 'We cannot have a real conversation if you're saying, "Mrs Obama," that's too many syllables,' the former first lady protested. Matt then asked if she is usually quick to 'put down that shield for people,' and Michelle claimed that she's generally tries to appear less intimidating. 'I was trying to do that when I was first lady because I just think... I am not that position. I am Michelle,' she explained. 'I'm always trying to break down that wall to say, "We're just all here,"' she continued. 'And the first thing to do is like, let's drop that title, that's a little heavy.' 'I know what we call her - your Highness,' her brother and podcast co-host Craig quipped. 'Well, it's great to be on a first name basis,' Matt joked.
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
Former President Obama shares rare family photo on daughter Sasha's 24th birthday
The Obama family marked Sasha Obama's 24th birthday this week with a celebratory and rare family photo. Former President Barack Obama shared birthday wishes for his youngest daughter, writing in an Instagram post Tuesday, "Happy birthday, Sasha! Watching you grow into the incredible woman you are has been a true gift. I'll always be proud of you and will always be here for you." Michelle Obama also shared the same picture of the family, who are all smiling in the snapshot. "Happy birthday to my sweet girl, Sasha!" the former first lady captioned her Instagram post. "Can't believe how quickly time has flown. I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Love you always! 💕🥳🎉." Sasha Obama was born in June 2001, nearly eight years before the family moved into the White House for the former president's first term in January 2009. She and her older sister Malia Obama, now 26, grew up in the presidential home for eight years, during their father's two terms in office, until 2017. In a July 2024 interview with Melinda French Gates' podcast, "Moments That Make Us," Michelle Obama opened up about raising her daughters at the White House during their formative years. "Well, those girls had to be smart and confident and independent straight away, even when they were living in a house with butlers and maids and florists," she said. "But I was raising them thinking, 'You're not going to live here, and with me, forever. So I've got to hand you your life soon and let you manage it.'" Sasha Obama graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2023, and Malia Obama, who graduated from Harvard University in 2021, now works in the film and TV industry. Her short film, "The Heart," premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Barack and Michelle Obama put on brave face with daughters amid divorce rumors and name changes
Barack and Michelle Obama are celebrating their youngest daughter as she marks her 24th birthday, despite the swirling rumors about their marriage. Michelle Obama shared a photo to her Instagram of the family seemingly on vacation together and she issued a heartfelt message to Sasha. 'Happy birthday to my sweet girl, Sasha! Can't believe how quickly time has flown. I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Love you always!' Michelle wrote. The Obamas have been married for 32 years but have faced ongoing rumors about their marriage status over the last several months. The couple's eldest daughter Malia has also dropped her famous surname and is now going by Malia Ann professionally. Michelle last month dismissed speculation about marital issues and addressed the rumors head on during an episode of the podcast The Diary of a CEO. 'If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,' she said. Michelle has publicly supported Malia's decision, emphasizing that she wants her daughter to 'carve her own path' and 'make her way'. The rumors were only fueled by Michelle's noticeable absence from several high-profile events this year; including January's presidential inauguration and the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. In March, Michelle also skipped their usual courtside seats at the NBA All-Star Game. The couple were spotted out on a date night in NYC two weeks ago, after having also been seen going out to dinner in DC the month before. Social media and the tabloids have all served to amplify claims that the couple may soon be heading for a split. On a recent podcast Michelle revealed how she is in therapy to help her transition to what she thinks is the 'next phase' of her life. During the episode, Michelle acknowledged that marriage is 'hard' for her and the former president but added that 'I wouldn't trade it,' calling President Obama, 'as the young people say... my person.' 'The beauty of my husband and our partnership is that neither one of us was ever really, ever going to quit at it, because that's not who we are. And I know that about him. He knows that about me.' Michelle has been open about her marriage struggles throughout the years and particularly on her new podcast, IMO (In my Opinion), which she hosts with her brother Craig Robinson.
