Michelle’s distaste for Washington, D.C., has also been well-documented. In a 2023 interview with Jimmy Fallon, she admitted that she was “so glad” to leave the White House behind. While Barack seems to remain deeply involved in political work, Michelle has focused on other endeavors, including her Netflix projects and advocacy work. Her absence from key political events has only added to the rumors about their separation.
Living Separate Lives
These days, Michelle and Barack seem to be pursuing very different paths. Michelle has embraced life in Los Angeles, where she’s heavily involved in the entertainment industry through her Netflix production deal. In 2024, she spoke at the CAA Amplify Summit, emphasizing her commitment to telling meaningful stories through film and television.
Barack, meanwhile, has remained active in Washington, D.C., attending political events and supporting Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris. His absence from Michelle’s side at public appearances has not gone unnoticed. In December 2024, the couple was photographed together in Los Angeles during a rare date night, but the sightings have been few and far between.
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The whispers about their separation reached a fever pitch when Michelle skipped Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Trump’s inauguration in 2024. While her spokesperson cited a vacation in Hawaii as the reason for her absence, many speculated it was a sign of deeper issues in their marriage.
To add fuel to the fire, a bizarre tabloid story claimed that Barack had an affair with actress Jennifer Aniston. The rumor, which originated from a satirical piece in
Michelle and Barack are preparing for a divorce
According to rumors, Michelle Obama and Barack Obama are on a one-way trip to Splitsville. “Barack is ready to move on, and Michelle is too. She sacrificed so much for him over the years, and she’s finally putting herself first,” an anonymous source told Radar in January 2025. “They’re already separated and living apart. Divorce will come later and quietly. For them to admit the failure is quite humiliating,” another claimed.
Taking things a (totally unbelievable) step further, a third source told Radar that their relationship nosedived after Michelle refused to cave to Barack’s pressure for her to run as president. “He’s been blaming her for Trump’s victory ever since,” they said. Michelle and Barack haven’t addressed the rumors. However, he posted a loving message to her in January 2025. “Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama. You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you!” Barack captioned a photo of the two.
Meanwhile, days later, Michelle put on a united front in an Instagram tribute to Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl who was shot in the back and killed in 2013. “To this day, Barack and I still think about her story. That’s why we are proud to honor her legacy through the Hadiya Pendleton Winter Garden at the Obama Presidential Center,” she wrote in part.
Barack cheated on Michelle with Jennifer Aniston
The craziest gossip of all is the Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama affair rumors. They sprung up courtesy of In Touch Weekly in August 2024. “The Truth About Jen & Barack!” its cover screamed. “Michelle betrayed as Aniston steals her husband’s attention,” it continued, adding bullet points: “They’re obsessed with each other” and “Power circles in Washington and Hollywood can’t stop gossiping!”
However, according to the Daily Beast, the rumor about Obama’s love life stems from over a decade ago, first appearing in the British highbrow news magazine, The Economist. The piece was an obvious work of satire that listed not only Aniston but also Hillary Clinton and Katie Couric as paramours of the ex-president.
Aniston, certainly no stranger to ludicrous tabloid rumors, was likely just relieved not to be pregnant with twins for the 50th time. Still, she shot the report down in flames during a “Jimmy Kimmel Live” interview in October 2024. “Of all the calls you get from your publicist where you’re just like, ‘Oh no! What’s it going to be?’ Or the email saying some cheesy tabloid is going to make up a story, and then it’s that.” She said there is obviously no truth to the rumor, insisting that she’s only met Barack once and adding, “I know Michelle more than him.”
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