The ex-President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, is devoting more time with his wife Michelle Obama to compensate for the tension his presidency created in their union. In a candid discussion with Hamilton College President Steven Tepper, the 63-year-old shared the experience of how his two White House terms affected his life.
“I was in a deep deficit with my wife,” Obama confessed. “So I have been trying to dig myself out of that hole by occasionally doing fun things.”
The Obamas, who have marked 33 years of marriage, have long spoken openly about the strains they endured during Barack’s presidency. Long hours, public attention, and the stresses of the job all wore down their relationship.
In a 2023 CBS Mornings appearance, Barack Obama commented on how life is different since stepping down from the presidency.
“Let me just say this: It sure helps to be out of the White House and to have a little more time with her,” he said.
Michelle Obama has also spoken candidly about the challenges in their marriage. In an open interview with Revolt TV, she confessed that there was a period when she had to deal with her husband’s absence because of his presidential responsibilities.
People assume I’m being catty, saying this — it’s like, there were 10 years when I hated my husband. And guess when it was? When those kids were little,” she said.
The pair, whom they met at a law firm in the late 1980s and were married in 1992, have two daughters, Sasha and Malia. They have had much to talk about over the years about keeping their marriage steady through the downs and ups amidst raising a family in the light of public limelight.
In her memoir and interviews, Michelle also disclosed that they had once gone to marriage therapy, and there were some times when she hoped things were different.
“But I don’t think I ever thought, ‘I’m just checking out of this,'” she said in 2018.
Now that there is more private time outside political life, the Obamas seem committed to deepening their connection and welcoming a new chapter in their marriage.
