Is she going her own way? Here’s what’s next for this former First Lady.
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In the grand tapestry of American life, few threads are as colorful and compelling as those woven by former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Yet, even the most public of figures may yearn for a respite from the relentless spotlight.
According to a source speaking with The US Sun, Michelle Obama is contemplating a sabbatical from the American stage, with her sights set on the serene landscapes of Europe–and she's considering taking this journey without her husband, Barack Obama.
Michelle Obama is reportedly eager to step away from public life in the U.S. and embrace a quieter, more private lifestyle in Europe—even if it means doing so without Barack Obama, according to a source who spoke with The US Sun.
The former first lady, now 61, has been contemplating the idea of living abroad since late 2024, though it’s a dream she’s held onto since her youth.
"Michelle has been wanting a lot lately to do things for her, to fulfill some dreams and life goals that she has been having but couldn't really fulfill due to her life and because of her husband's responsibilities," the source told The US Sun.
"But lately, she has been doing things for her, and she has a dream that she has [had] since she was a teenager about living out of America for a bit, and spend time in another continent, like Europe," they continued.
"To enjoy espresso at a terrace, eat some pastries, [walk] down the streets like a normal person and not get any attention, and get away from all the spotlights, that is one goal that she would like to do soon."
The source added that Michelle has been considering various locations across southern Europe, with countries like France, Italy, Greece, and Spain on her list for a potential temporary stay.
“She loves France, Italy, Spain, Greece, all those Mediterranean countries where the pace of life is slower, and things are simpler,” a source close to Michelle Obama told The U.S. Sun.
“She is really interested by this possibility, to go there for some months. I don't know if Barack would join her or not, but she really would love to live this kind of experience as soon as possible.”
Also read: Money isn’t everything: Michelle Obama talks dating and financial stability
Addressing the Rumor Mill
This insight comes amid growing speculation about Michelle and Barack Obama's marriage, which has been the subject of persistent divorce rumors since late 2024.
Questions were raised when Michelle was absent from former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in January. Barack, 63, attended alone, seated between President Donald Trump and former First Lady Laura Bush.
Michelle also skipped Trump’s inauguration on January 20, while cameras showed Barack entering the Capitol Rotunda without her.
In February, Michelle was seen dining in Los Angeles with her brother, Craig Robinson, without Barack present.
The siblings recently launched a podcast on YouTube called IMO, where Michelle opened up about some of her pet peeves—such as Barack’s lack of punctuality—and revealed she wasn’t initially on board with his presidential bid.
“You [Robinson] talked me into supporting his run cause I was definitely like, nope, nope, this is crazy, we've done enough crazy stuff,” Michelle said on the podcast.
However, she appeared to shut down the divorce chatter during an episode of Work in Progress hosted by Sophia Bush. Michelle explained her absence from recent events as a personal decision.
"That's the thing that, we, as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people," she said. "I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing."
A New Chapter of Self-Discovery
The source added that Michelle has been putting her own aspirations front and center lately.
“She has been thinking about this a lot lately, and the first conversations about this came up during the last months of 2024, where I really felt that she was a bit fed up and tired of many things,” the insider said.
“She wants to explore, to live a simple life the way she wants, and be free to travel and spend time wherever she wants."
“She really would like a slower pace of life for a bit, to disconnect from some things in America, and to do things that she was never able to do in a simple way—go to the restaurant without being recognized, going to exhibitions, cultural events, visit museums and historical places, spend quality time and do really simple things for herself."
Source: ABC News / Youtube.
“I don’t know if Barack would join, but she feels the need to do things for her own experience, and be a bit more selfish, and putting her needs and goals first on some aspects of her life, like traveling and experiencing life in a simple way without the whole spotlights and attention that she gets very often.”
“She wants to live a bit without being a public figure, and go somewhere that takes her out of America for a bit, like a mini break, a getaway from her life in the USA.”
The office of Barack and Michelle Obama has not issued an official comment.
As we reflect on Michelle's potential plans, let's consider our own aspirations. What dreams have we shelved? What adventures await us? Whether it's a quiet cottage in the countryside or a bustling city filled with art and history, the world is rich with possibilities.
Read next: This First Lady's finally addressing the divorce rumors...and more.
We invite you to share your thoughts on Michelle Obama's European aspirations and your own dreams of escape. Have you ever considered a similar leap? What destinations call to you? Join the conversation below, but please remember to remain respectful.
Yet, even the most public of figures may yearn for a respite from the relentless spotlight.
According to a source speaking with The US Sun, Michelle Obama is contemplating a sabbatical from the American stage, with her sights set on the serene landscapes of Europe–and she's considering taking this journey without her husband, Barack Obama.
Michelle Obama is reportedly eager to step away from public life in the U.S. and embrace a quieter, more private lifestyle in Europe—even if it means doing so without Barack Obama, according to a source who spoke with The US Sun.
The former first lady, now 61, has been contemplating the idea of living abroad since late 2024, though it’s a dream she’s held onto since her youth.
"Michelle has been wanting a lot lately to do things for her, to fulfill some dreams and life goals that she has been having but couldn't really fulfill due to her life and because of her husband's responsibilities," the source told The US Sun.
"But lately, she has been doing things for her, and she has a dream that she has [had] since she was a teenager about living out of America for a bit, and spend time in another continent, like Europe," they continued.
Michelle Obama has expressed a desire to spend some time in Europe away from the public eye, possibly without her husband Barack Obama, as per a source close to her. Image source: ABC News / Youtube.
"To enjoy espresso at a terrace, eat some pastries, [walk] down the streets like a normal person and not get any attention, and get away from all the spotlights, that is one goal that she would like to do soon."
The source added that Michelle has been considering various locations across southern Europe, with countries like France, Italy, Greece, and Spain on her list for a potential temporary stay.
“She loves France, Italy, Spain, Greece, all those Mediterranean countries where the pace of life is slower, and things are simpler,” a source close to Michelle Obama told The U.S. Sun.
“She is really interested by this possibility, to go there for some months. I don't know if Barack would join her or not, but she really would love to live this kind of experience as soon as possible.”
Also read: Money isn’t everything: Michelle Obama talks dating and financial stability
Addressing the Rumor Mill
This insight comes amid growing speculation about Michelle and Barack Obama's marriage, which has been the subject of persistent divorce rumors since late 2024.
Questions were raised when Michelle was absent from former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in January. Barack, 63, attended alone, seated between President Donald Trump and former First Lady Laura Bush.
Michelle also skipped Trump’s inauguration on January 20, while cameras showed Barack entering the Capitol Rotunda without her.
In February, Michelle was seen dining in Los Angeles with her brother, Craig Robinson, without Barack present.
Michelle has addressed and dismissed rumors of divorce during an interview, asserting her right to make independent choices without society assuming negative reasons. Image source: ABC News / Youtube.
The siblings recently launched a podcast on YouTube called IMO, where Michelle opened up about some of her pet peeves—such as Barack’s lack of punctuality—and revealed she wasn’t initially on board with his presidential bid.
“You [Robinson] talked me into supporting his run cause I was definitely like, nope, nope, this is crazy, we've done enough crazy stuff,” Michelle said on the podcast.
However, she appeared to shut down the divorce chatter during an episode of Work in Progress hosted by Sophia Bush. Michelle explained her absence from recent events as a personal decision.
"That's the thing that, we, as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people," she said. "I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing."
A New Chapter of Self-Discovery
The source added that Michelle has been putting her own aspirations front and center lately.
“She has been thinking about this a lot lately, and the first conversations about this came up during the last months of 2024, where I really felt that she was a bit fed up and tired of many things,” the insider said.
“She wants to explore, to live a simple life the way she wants, and be free to travel and spend time wherever she wants."
“She really would like a slower pace of life for a bit, to disconnect from some things in America, and to do things that she was never able to do in a simple way—go to the restaurant without being recognized, going to exhibitions, cultural events, visit museums and historical places, spend quality time and do really simple things for herself."
Source: ABC News / Youtube.
“I don’t know if Barack would join, but she feels the need to do things for her own experience, and be a bit more selfish, and putting her needs and goals first on some aspects of her life, like traveling and experiencing life in a simple way without the whole spotlights and attention that she gets very often.”
According to the unnamed source, the former First Lady wishes to live a life less focussed on being a public figure and to embrace a slower pace and simplicity for a while. Image source: ABC News / Youtube.
“She wants to live a bit without being a public figure, and go somewhere that takes her out of America for a bit, like a mini break, a getaway from her life in the USA.”
The office of Barack and Michelle Obama has not issued an official comment.
As we reflect on Michelle's potential plans, let's consider our own aspirations. What dreams have we shelved? What adventures await us? Whether it's a quiet cottage in the countryside or a bustling city filled with art and history, the world is rich with possibilities.
Read next: This First Lady's finally addressing the divorce rumors...and more.
We invite you to share your thoughts on Michelle Obama's European aspirations and your own dreams of escape. Have you ever considered a similar leap? What destinations call to you? Join the conversation below, but please remember to remain respectful.
