Barack Obama Admits To Marital Struggle, Says He's in 'Deep Deficit' With Michelle: 'Been trying To...'

Acknowledging that his two terms as US President had placed considerable strain on their marriage, Barack Obama admitted he is working to dig himself out of a "deep deficit" with his wife, Michelle Obama.

Speaking during an event at Hamilton College, Obama shared that he has been attempting to reconnect with Michelle by doing "fun things" from time to time.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

Rumours of a divorce between Barack and Michelle Obama have been circulating for months. Speculation intensified after Barack attended former President Jimmy Carter's funeral alone and was also seen without Michelle at President Donald Trump's inauguration in January.

Obama opened up about the challenges in his marriage after Hamilton College President Steven Tepper asked the 63-year-old about life post-White House.

The former US President said he has mostly been occupied with writing the second half of his memoir. The first volume, A Promised Land, was released in November 2020.

"I am finishing the second half of my presidential memoirs, which is like 50 term papers. I mean, it just goes on forever. But people ask me, 'Do you enjoy writing?' I say, 'Absolutely not'. But I do enjoy having written when it's finished," Obama remarked.

He went on to speak candidly about the strain on his relationship with Michelle. "I was in a deep deficit with my wife, so I have been trying to dig myself out of that hole by doing occasionally fun things," he said.

Obama first met Michelle at a law firm where they both worked during the 1980s, and the pair married in 1992.

Michelle, too, has previously spoken about the difficulties in their relationship. In a 2022 interview, she confessed, "There were 10 years where I couldn't stand my husband."

The couple has also faced persistent rumours alleging Barack Obama had an affair with actress Jennifer Aniston, though no credible evidence has ever emerged to support these claims.

Earlier this year, astrologer Amy Tripp told India Today that the Obamas could face a turbulent period. "I looked at their charts... it indicates a separation. I would say July or August of this year could bring major changes for them," said Tripp, who had previously predicted Donald Trump's election win.

However, the Obamas have attempted to dispel the speculation by sharing selfies together on Valentine's Day.