*Michelle Obama says she “couldn’t stand” her husband Barack Obama for about a decade in their marriage.
The former first lady discussed the challenges of her marriage during a roundtable conversation with Revolt TV earlier this month with moderator Angie Martinez. The panel also included Kelly Rowland, H.E.R., Winnie Harlow, and Tina Knowles-Lawson, PEOPLE reports.
“People think I’m being catty by saying this — it’s like, there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband,” Obama said. “And guess when it happened? When those kids were little.”
She continued, “And for 10 years while we’re trying to build our careers and, you know, worrying about school and who’s doing what and what, I was like, ‘Ugh, this isn’t even,’ ” Obama said. “And guess what? Marriage isn’t 50/50, ever, ever.”
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Obama added, “There are times I’m 70, he’s 30. There are times he’s 60, 40, but guess what? 10 years — we’ve been married 30. I would take 10 bad years over 30 — it’s just how you look at it. And people give up . . . ‘Five years; I can’t take it.’ “
The Obamas married in 1992 and recently celebrated their 30th anniversary. In October, Barack shared a sweet post on Instagram, writing “After 30 years, I’m not sure why you look exactly the same and I don’t. I do know that I won the lottery that day—that I couldn’t have asked for a better life partner. Happy anniversary, sweetheart!”
Michelle responded with her own affectionate post, writing: “Happy anniversary to the man I love! These last 30 years have been an adventure, and I’m grateful to have you by my side. Here’s to a lifetime together. I love you @BarackObama.”
She recently wrapped a short tour to support her new book, “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times.”
We reported previously that in the book, Obama offers readers a series of “fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress,” per press release.