Michelle Obama has revealed that she and Barack Obama have been going to couples therapy and are constantly working on their 33-year marriage.
While speaking with Alex Cooper on Wednesday’s episode of “Call Her Daddy,” the former first lady admitted she’s a big believer in therapy.
“We’ve been in couples therapy,” Michelle, 62, said of herself and Barack, 64. “I believe in the habit of having conversations with objective people who can help you figure things out. It’s an ongoing thing, and it’s an ongoing process.”
She also clarified that listeners shouldn’t be afraid of therapy because “we’re always growing and evolving (and) getting better.”
Michelle also talked about learning early in their marriage that they couldn’t change each other.
“I’ve come to realize that I can’t control him just as he can’t control me,” she said. “So let me do my job, let him do our job, and together we are united as a whole human being.”
She also emphasized how important it is for people to focus on self-improvement and be “satisfied with (themselves).”
“Start working on your health,” advised the businesswoman. “Start feeling strong within yourself. Start practicing self-esteem. Start working on building relationships and friendships.
“Try to be yourself as much as possible, because you can’t control who loves you, who likes you, who gives you a job, who looks at you the way you want. Everyone has their own story,” she continued.
Part of Michelle’s message was to encourage listeners to focus on becoming “more confident individuals” rather than defining themselves by the opinions of others.
The author of “Becoming” and Barack first met at a law firm in the late 1980s.
At the time, before their relationship became romantic, Michel was appointed as his mentor.
The couple married in 1992 and have two daughters, Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24.
Last year, Barack and Michelle fended off rumors of a breakup after the latter opted out of attending several public events, including President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
However, a source told Page Six that Michelle “checked out” of D.C. after leaving the White House in January 2017.
