Michelle Obama Reveals the Celebrity Couple She Sees as Her Marriage ‘Mentors’ Amidst Rumors She’s Divorcing

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is once again facing swirling rumors about the state of her marriage to former President Barack Obama.

Despite the persistent speculation that the high-profile couple is heading for divorce, Michelle offered a rare and intimate look into her relationship during the latest episode of her IMO podcast, revealing the celebrity couple she considers her and Barack’s marriage “mentors.”

During a heartfelt conversation with rock legend Bruce Springsteen on Wednesday, Michelle candidly praised his decades-long marriage to fellow musician Patti Scialfa, calling their relationship an inspiration to her and Barack.

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“I marvel at you and Patti and the work that you all have done,” Michelle said to the 75-year-old Springsteen.

“You and Patti have been couple mentors for me and Barack for quite some time.”

A visibly surprised Springsteen responded, “Woah, alright,” before Michelle elaborated on what made their union so admirable.

Happy Anniversary Bruce and Patti !

📸 1 – The Rising tour rehearsals , New Jersey 2002

📸 2 – Sea Hear Now , New Jersey 2024 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jxun8xOCTa

— Danny Clinch (@Danny_Clinch) June 10, 2025

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“[We are] watching you guys do the work, getting advice on how to keep those lines of communication open,” she added.

Michelle commended both Bruce and Patti for being “powerhouses in [their] own right … merging those lives together,” suggesting that their dynamic offers a blueprint for navigating marriage while balancing personal ambition and public life.

Springsteen and Scialfa, 71, recently celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. Patti marked the occasion by posting a nostalgic photo on Instagram of herself kissing Bruce.

“Our one year anniversary…. Bruce surprised me with a beautiful party ….. today marks 34 years …” she captioned the sweet post.

The Obamas, who have been married for 33 years, have long been admired for their seemingly solid and affectionate partnership.

However, rumors about marital discord have gained traction in recent months, fueled by noticeable public absences and pointed commentary from political commentators.

In January, Michelle made headlines for missing both the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of President Donald Trump — the only living former First Lady to skip both events.

The absences sparked renewed interest in long-standing rumors that the Obamas were living “separate lives.”

“I have been hearing this rumor that the Obamas are getting a divorce by reputable people,” conservative political commentator Meghan McCain said earlier this year on journalist Tara Palmeri’s podcast.

“I’m not talking about TMZ, I’m not talking about Perez Hilton, although I love him, he’s my friend. I’m talking about like very serious journalists telling me that they’re hearing that the Obama divorce rumors are true.”

Meghan McCain spills on Obama divorce rumors amid claims they ‘live separate lives pic.twitter.com/8tR3d3eQAt

— Simo Saadi🇺🇸🇲🇦 (@Simo7809957085) January 23, 2025

Palmeri, a veteran Washington reporter, didn’t dismiss the speculation either.

“We’ve heard that for a long time,” she said. “Like I just heard that they live separate lives.”

The rumors have only intensified with Michelle’s continued use of her podcast to air frustrations, often referencing her husband in less-than-flattering terms.

Since launching IMO with her brother Craig Robinson in March, Michelle has repeatedly brought up the struggles she faced during Barack’s presidency — with some critics claiming she is airing marital grievances under the guise of candid storytelling.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson commented on this dynamic, saying, “Michelle really dislikes her husband, and it’s super obvious. I’m not just saying that to be catty. I think I’m trying to feel compassion for her, but her hostility toward the guy is unbelievable.”

Megyn Kelly, another former Fox host, echoed Carlson’s observations. “Everything Michelle says about her husband is negative,” Kelly noted.

“I almost never say negative things about Doug,” she added, referencing her own husband Doug Brunt.

“He’s not perfect but when I think about him, I don’t immediately go to whatever is negative. I go to what’s positive and what I love about him.”

Tucker Carlson has claimed Michelle Obama hates her husband Barack, and that people like her, who aren’t happily married, are to blame for society’s collapse. pic.twitter.com/tc3wxYcMG5

— 🇺🇸⭐️OUR-VOICES⭐️🇺🇸 (@iswho) April 30, 2025

While Michelle has attempted to quell the rumors, her public remarks have done little to silence the speculation.

Barack, for his part, has remained notably silent on the matter, offering no public statements to address the ongoing chatter.

Despite the noise, Michelle’s comments about Bruce and Patti Springsteen reflect a desire to work through the challenges that come with a high-profile marriage.

Whether drawing inspiration from longtime couples in the entertainment world will help the Obamas weather their own storm remains to be seen.

As the public continues to dissect every word and appearance, only time will tell if Michelle and Barack Obama can quiet the rumors — or if their marriage will become another headline of its own.

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