Barack and Michelle Obama embrace in photo after mocking divorce speculation
Michelle and Barack Obama look smitten in a rare photo together.
The "IMO" podcast co-host, 61, took to Instagram on Aug. 4 to celebrate the former U.S. president's birthday, writing in a caption: "Happy birthday to my love, my best friend, my everything! @BarackObama, even after all these years, you’re still the coolest guy I know."
In the snap, the "Becoming" author wrapped her arms around her husband, now 64, whose right arm was swathed around her as he leaned in. Obama commented, "Love you, Miche! And thanks everybody for all the birthday wishes."
Recently, rumors swirled that the former first couple, who have been married since 1992, were on the rocks. Whispers about the status of their marriage reached a fever pitch in January when Michelle sat out the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and later the second inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Barack and Michelle's photo was taken while filming a July 16 podcast episode.
In it, the couple addressed rumors surrounding their marriage as Michelle Obama's brother Craig Robinson quipped, "Wait, you guys like each other?"
Barack Obama jokingly said "she took me back," adding with a hint of sarcasm that "it was touch and go for a while."
During the podcast episode, Robinson shared a story about a woman he met in Wichita, Kansas, who asked him about the divorce rumors and was thrilled to find out they were untrue. Both Obamas appeared tickled by the story, with Barack, in particular, confirming that he rarely sees the rumors until someone on his team informs him.
"There hasn't been one moment in our marriage where I thought about quittin' my man. And we've had some really hard times," Michelle Obama added.
"We have had a lot of fun times, a lot of adventures and I have become a better person because of the man I'm married to."