Barack Obama has shut down divorce rumors by posting a gushing tribute to the ‘love of his life’ Michelle Obama in honor of her 61st birthday on Friday.
Speculation erupted that the couple of more than 30 years was having marital problems after fans began to notice that Michelle has been mysteriously absent from her husband’s side in recent weeks.
But the former President, 63, proved that they’re still going strong when he uploaded a sweet message to his wife for her birthday.
‘Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,’ he wrote, alongside a snap that showed them holding hands while enjoying dinner.
‘You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you.’
The image featured a smiling Barack in a gray button down top and black dress pants, as he sat across from Michelle, who donned a dark V-neck sweater dress and a patterned headpiece.
They lovingly grabbed each other’s hands as they faced the camera.
Michelle has since shared the post to her own account alongside a simple caption that read: ‘Love you, honey!’
Barack Obama has shut down divorce rumors as he posted a gushing tribute to the ‘love of his life’ Michelle Obama in honor of her 61st birthday on Friday
The former President, 63, proved that they’re still going strong when he uploaded a sweet message to his wife for her birthday
Michelle has since shared the post to her own account alongside a simple caption that read: ‘Love you, honey!’
Michelle – who is turning 61 years old today – was not present at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral on January 9 due to a ‘scheduling conflict.’
In addition, it was revealed that she would not be attending Donald Trump‘s inauguration ceremony with her husband on Monday.
The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama told Associated Press this week in a statement, ‘Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.’
Immediately after the announcement, fans of the political power couple became concerned that there may be trouble in paradise.
‘I’m calling it, the Obamas are getting a divorce,’ wrote one person on X, formerly Twitter.
Another posted: ‘An Obama divorce would not be on my 2025 predictions but it might happen.’
‘[Michelle] and Obama are on the outs. They are getting a divorce. She doesn’t want to be around him,’ someone else said.
‘Sounds like an Obama divorce is on the horizon, we’ve all seen it, they stop attending functions together,’ a fourth tweet read.
Speculation erupted that the couple (seen in 2015) was having problems after fans began to notice that Michelle has been mysteriously absent from her husband’s side in recent weeks
Michelle – who is turning 61 years old today – was not present at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral on January 9 due to a ‘scheduling conflict.’ Barack is seen at the funeral
In addition, it was revealed that she would not be attending Donald Trump ‘s inauguration ceremony with her husband on Monday. She and Barack are seen at his 2017 inauguration
However, there were some who dismissed the rumor and instead suggested Michelle was only making a political statement.
‘I don’t know anything about their marriage, but it’s very clear to me that Michelle Obama is making a very specific *political* statement with these absences,’ one X user wrote.
‘She would never choose Jimmy Carter’s funeral to announce her divorce. Let’s be sensible here.’
Another agreed, ‘Michelle Obama is in mourning/grieving the loss of her mom… On top of her not being a political figure and you all believe a TikTok about her and Barack getting a divorce because she missed a funeral and won’t attend a felon’s inauguration.’
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.
And UK-based body language expert Judi James told DailyMail.com that they showed ‘no active signs of togetherness’ during their last public outing.
She said that Barack looked ‘rather somber’ during the date, and pointed out that he ‘walked behind his wife’ rather than next to her.
Photos from the evening show Michelle smiling at cameras as she headed out of the popular celebrity hotspot Mother Wolf – while her husband trailed behind, with a more serious expression.
After they got into their car, Michelle’s smile faded, and they were both seen starring ahead as they sat side by side.
After it was announced that she would not be attending, fans of the political power couple became concerned that there may be trouble in paradise
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 (seen)
‘[Barack] looks rather somber here but otherwise relaxed as he walks behind his wife, who sports the kind of wide, beaming smile with downward-pointing eye-gaze that suggests a coy kind of happiness,’ Judi said.
‘Sitting together in the car they both stare ahead in the photo but this is a common celebrity response if the paparazzi are lighting up the sky outside.’
And UK-based body language expert Judi James (seen) told DailyMail.com that they showed ‘no active signs of togetherness’ during their last public outing
However, she also noted, ‘There is no sign in that shot of any chatting or coupling up between them.’
The expert added that while Michelle looked ‘relaxed and happy’ on their walk to the car, they had ‘no active signals of togetherness,’ despite being in public.
‘Michelle looks relaxed and happy walking to the car but there are no active signals of togetherness for the cameras, with Barack himself wearing a more serious or dour expression as he walks behind his wife,’ she explained.
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. They’re seen at their wedding
They welcomed their first daughter, Malia, six years later in 1998, and their second daughter, Sasha, in 2001. The family is seen in 2015
Over the years, the couple has spoken candidly about their martial struggles
The couple, who first met in 1989 when they both worked at a law firm in Chicago, married in 1992.
They welcomed their first daughter, Malia, six years later in 1998, and their second daughter, Sasha, in 2001.
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.’
