Former U.S. President Barack Obama is opening up about his relationship with wife Michelle Obama, admitting that life after the presidency hasn’t been all smooth sailing—especially for their marriage.
Speaking at Hamilton College on Thursday, Obama revealed that the eight years he spent as president created some tension between him and Michelle.
“I had many problems with my wife after being president for 8 years,” he candidly told the crowd.
Obama made the comment during a Q&A session with Hamilton College President Steven Tepper, who had asked how he’s been spending his time since leaving office.
Trying to Enjoy Life More
Barack shared that he’s been focusing on the Obama Foundation and working on the second volume of his presidential memoirs, which he jokingly compared to “50 term papers.”
Still, he admitted that he’s been trying to enjoy himself a bit more lately—perhaps a nod to finding balance between work and personal life.
A Noticeable Distance
While the Obamas have been married since 1992, fans have noticed that the couple hasn’t made many public appearances together this year. Michelle was absent from several key events, including the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, both of which Barack attended alone.
In March, Barack was spotted courtside at a Los Angeles Clippers game and also seen dining out in L.A.—again, without Michelle.
Despite the visible distance, Barack emphasized that he’s making an effort to do “fun stuff” with Michelle again, suggesting that they’re navigating this next chapter in their relationship with intention.
