It’s admirable how open Michelle and Barack Obama have been with the public about their marriage struggles.
While most couples in the political realm only care about wearing a phony smile for the nation and keeping all their relationship woes behind closed doors, The Obamas aren’t shy about unveiling their more human side.
When a couple as influential as Michelle and Barack can open up about the trials and tribulations in their marriage, it just showcases that even the nation’s most cherished spousal pairing has to work extra hard to make their relationship work. No one is off the hook here. Especially after 32 years of being together, and a whole, you know, presidential run added into the mix, it makes sense that things wouldn’t always be so effortless and picture-perfect for the high-profile couple.
But it wasn’t just a few months of turmoil for The Obamas, no, no. According to Michelle, there was a whopping 10-year period where she straight up “couldn’t stand” Barack! Let’s examine the former President of the United States and First Lady’s relationship from the very beginning, till now. How was the couple able to get past their troubled period, and where do The Obamas stand today?
How Did Barack and Michelle Obama Meet?
Barack Obama was 28-years-old when he first laid eyes on the then 25-year-old Michelle. The two were introduced when Michelle was assigned as Obama’s advisor/mentor at a law firm, way back in the 1980s. According to the former President, he was immediately enamored by his future wife from the very moment he laid eyes on her. “I remember being struck by how tall and beautiful she was,” he revealed to Oprah Magazine.
Barack was instantly smitten. But if you thought it was a walk in the park to get Michelle to agree to a date with the future President of the United States, you’d be sorely mistaken. According to Barack, he repeatedly asked Michelle out, yet she continuously rejected his romantic advances. Why? Because Michelle is a consummate professional and thus felt it was inappropriate to get involved with Barack outside of the workplace. “I’m your adviser,” she said. “It’s not appropriate.”
But she finally gave in when Barack offered to quit his job in order to take her out on one date. (The sheer level of commitment!) This grandiose offer was enough for the former First Lady to finally give in.
Over three decades later, and the couple is still going strong. Yet the truth is, it hasn’t always been easy.
Michelle and Barack Obama Struggled in Their Marriage After Having Kids
While speaking to Revolt TV (per The Guardian,) Michelle got real about how the hardest part of her marriage with Barack was during the first decade of raising their daughters. “People think I’m being catty by saying this – it’s like, there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband,” she revealed.
She continued, saying no marriage is actually 50/50, and it’s important to be realistic about that. Often, the dynamic will fluctuate where one person is 70, and the other 30. That’s just the reality of living with another flawed human, and to expect otherwise is unrealistic. Fortunately, despite those 10 years of turmoil, Michelle is able to look on the bright side. She said, “Ten years – we’ve been married 30. I would take 10 bad years over 30 – it’s just how you look at it. And people give up … [saying], ‘Five years – I can’t take it.’”
Now that’s some solid advice! What do you think about Michelle and Barack Obama’s marriage? Do you think they’re a great example of fighting through the hard times, or are you more inclined to think 10 years is way too long to suffer through? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
- Michelle Obama Confessed She ‘Couldn’t Stand’ Barack Obama For 10 Years! - May 15, 2025
- Were Jim and Pam in Love IRL? Inside Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski’s Complex Dynamic Shooting The Office - May 15, 2025
- Is It Just Me, Or Is Nicole Kidman Everywhere Lately? Inside The Actress’s Reason For Tackling So Many Projects - May 15, 2025
