By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-30 08:26:52 | Updated at 2025-01-30 19:14:20
10 hours ago
Michelle Obama has shared a message from herself and Barack, amid ongoing rumors surrounding their marriage.
The Former First Lady, 61, took to her Instagram on Wednesday in announcing that The Obama Presidential Center would be honoring Hadiya Pendleton.
Pendleton, an honor roll student, was murdered in 2013 just days after performing with her majorette squad at the second inauguration of Barack Obama.
The Obama's announced they will be opening a memorial garden in her honor inside Barack's namesake center in Chicago in the coming years.
Michelle said: '[Hadiya] had an extraordinary light that will not be forgotten, and Barack and I look forward to honoring her memory.'
In a message shared directly to the center's website, Michelle also referenced Barack as 'my husband'.
The use of language from Michelle comes after rumors ran rampant for weeks that the two were headed for a divorce.
That was exacerbated when Michelle announced she would not be attending the inauguration of President Trump, while Barack appeared himself.
The use of language from Michelle comes after rumors ran rampant for weeks that the two were headed for a divorce
Pendleton, an honor roll student, was murdered in 2013 just days after performing with her majorette squad at the second inauguration of Barack Obama
Her decision to back out of the swearing in ceremony came after she had missed President Jimmy Carter's funeral.
Michelle was said to have missed Carter's funeral due to a 'scheduling conflict' as she enjoyed an extended holiday in Hawaii.
The former first lady has been less publicly engaged since the death of her mother, Marian Robinson, in May.
When she spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, she remarked that her grief almost kept her from coming onstage.
'I still feel her loss so profoundly - I wasn't even sure I'd be steady enough to stand before you tonight,' she told the massive crowd at Chicago's United Center.
Still she headlined several campaign events for Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, ahead of Election Day.
The last time she was present in the same room as Trump was in 2018 during the funeral of former President H.W. Bush.
Most recently, Meghan McCain and journalist Tara Palmieri both confirmed that not only had they heard the rumors but said they'd learned that the Obamas 'live separate lives'.
In a message shared directly to the center's website, Michelle also referenced Barack as 'my husband'
Barack shared the above picture of the two in celebration of his wife's birthday earlier this month
On The Megyn Kelly Show last Thursday, the former Fox and NBC anchor speculated on the rumors for herself.
'I do not know whether this is true at all. But if it is true, it truly would be a political earthquake in Democrat circles, nevermind America. I don’t remember a presidential divorce in modern history,' she said.
She then went to the codebreaker for many who have speculated that the pair have split up, an unflattering photo that Barack Obama posted to social media a week ago.
'Did you see the post he put out to celebrate for their anniversary? He chose the least attractive photo of her that's ever been released. I mean, this is just wrong,' Kelly said.
Kelly noted that the former First Lady 'can look very nice in a photograph' but that the photo her husband sent out did not do her justice.
'They're about 20 feet apart in this intimate dinner. And he looks great. This is classic. He's like, this is a great picture. He's got the 1000 watt smile. She looks terrible.'
Over the years, the couple has spoken candidly about their martial struggles
Speculation erupted that the couple (seen in 2015) were having problems after her absence from her husband's side in recent weeks
The last time the pair was seen together was in early mid-December, over a month ago, when they stepped out for dinner in Los Angeles.
Last October, actress Jennifer Aniston publicly shut down 'absolutely untrue' claims by a US gossip magazine that she and Barack were in a relationship – making Michelle feel 'betrayed.'
The rumor was compounded by the hosts of a popular pop culture podcast Who? Weekly, who claimed that the Obamas were 'living separate lives' while he and Jennifer were having a full-blown affair.
The Friends star told a US TV chat show host: 'I've met him once. I know Michelle more than him.'
The couple, who first met in 1989 when they both worked at a law firm in Chicago, married in 1992.
Over the years, the couple has spoken candidly about their martial struggles, with Michelle previously describing the 'resentment' she had over having to put her career on hold to be a mother while Barack's continued to flourish.
And tensions only grew during their time in the White House - thanks to the immense 'pressure' that came with 'needing to get everything right and be "on" at every moment,' as well as Barack's focus on his work rather than his family.
But even at their worst, Barack explained to The Breakfast Club that they never let their arguments turn too ugly - and that they always 'respected' one another.
And he made it clear that even when they would fight, he never considered a divorce.
'We were pretty good even when things were tough, we never loss basic respect for the other person,' he shared.
'We never thought that person was a bad person. We never said things that would make it seem that you completely disrespect me.
'It was more, "I love you, Barack, but this is driving me crazy," or, "I respect you, but..." I think that's what kept us 'cause we never doubted each other's intentions.
'Michelle is a remarkable woman. Even if she drives me crazy sometimes, I never thought that there was anybody who I would rather be with.'
