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Michelle Obama Shuts Down Divorce Rumors, Emphasizes Women’s Freedom<\/strong><\/p>\n Divorce rumors have circulated about Barack and Michelle Obama, but on Wednesday, Michelle addressed them directly on Sophia Bush\u2019s podcast, Work in Progress<\/em>.<\/p>\n About nine minutes into the episode, Michelle reflected on life as an empty nester now that daughters Malia (26) and Sasha (23) have moved out.<\/p>\n \u201c[Life] is whatever I want,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s the first time in my life all of my choices are for me.\u201d<\/p>\n She discussed years of prioritizing her family and husband\u2019s career, and how she\u2019s now embracing the freedom to focus on herself\u2014a freedom many women struggle to claim.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I say \u2018no,\u2019 people get it,\u201d she said. But she acknowledged the backlash that often comes with women asserting independence: \u201cPeople couldn\u2019t fathom I was making a choice for myself\u2014they assumed we were divorcing.\u201d<\/p>\n Speculation was fueled by her absence at Jimmy Carter\u2019s funeral and Donald Trump\u2019s inauguration, both of which Barack attended. A Vanity Fair<\/em> piece even cited In Touch Weekly<\/em> rumors involving actress Jennifer Aniston, who firmly denied any involvement: \u201cI\u2019ve met [Barack] once. I know Michelle more than him.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Michelle Obama Shuts Down Divorce Rumors, Emphasizes Women’s Freedom Divorce rumors have circulated about Barack and Michelle Obama, but on Wednesday, Michelle addressed them directly on Sophia Bush\u2019s podcast, Work in Progress. About nine minutes into the episode, Michelle reflected on life as an empty nester now that daughters Malia (26) and Sasha (23) have…<\/p>\n