Michelle Obama Reveals She’s ‘In Therapy’ As She Enters ‘Next Phase’ Of Life Amid Divorce Rumors

Amid swirling rumors about the state of her marriage, Michelle Obama recently admitted she needed help. “At this phase of my life, I’m in therapy right now because I’m transitioning,” the former first lady said on the On Purpose podcast.

Explaining that she and husband of 33 years, Barack Obama, are empty nesters now that daughters Sasha and Malia are on their own, the 61-year-old shared, “Now, for the first time, as I’ve said before, every choice I’m making is completely mine now. I don’t have the excuse of, ‘Well, my kids need this, or my husband needs that, or the country needs that.’ So, how do I think about this next phase?”

The Becoming author sparked rumors of a rift with her husband when she skipped both the inauguration and former president Jimmy Carter’s funeral in January. Barack was later spotted dining alone several times.

Finally, on May 1, Michelle broke her silence on the divorce chatter on an episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast. “If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,” she quipped, adding, “I would be problem-solving in public. I’m not a martyr!”