Michelle Obama Says 30 Years Of Marriage ‘Is Hard’ With Former President Barack Obama

On Thursday, former first lady Michelle Obama told Gayle King on CBS Mornings that she opens up about her marriage struggles “because marriage is hard.”

She continued, saying that partnership is often romanticized and it’s up to people with successful ones to be honest about the commitment and compromise required.

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Last year, Michelle said that she “couldn’t stand” her husband, former President Barack Obama, when their children, Malia and Sasha, were young.

“A lot of young people quit on marriage over things that are just a part of the commitment,” she said. “We’ve been married for 30 years. If I fell out with him for 10, and we had a great 20 years, I’d take those odds anytime.”

She also said her kids complicated her relationship with her husband even further, explaining that Malia and Sasha, now 24 and 21, were “way more blessed” than she was growing up. Because of this, she wanted them to become self-sufficient and learn gratitude, compassion and empathy.

As a parent, Michelle also stressed teaching her children how to find what makes them happy. “Control happens when you know how to make yourself happy, where you know how to create your own joy,” she said.

Michelle also discussed her new podcast, Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, where she shares personal stories in conversations with friends like Tyler Perry and Ellen DeGeneres, and her talk with Oprah Winfrey, which premieres as a Netflix special next week.