Former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about the time during her marriage with former President Barack Obama when she “couldn’t stand” him.
Earlier this month, Michelle Obama shared with REVOLT how having children impacted their marriage.
“People think I’m being catty for saying this: it’s like, there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband,” she said.
Michelle Obama added, “And guess when it happened? When those kids were little.”
The former first lady went on to reflect on the time during which they were trying to work on their careers while raising children.
“For 10 years while we’re trying to build our careers and worrying about school and who’s doing what and what, I was like, ‘Argh, this isn’t even!’” Michelle Obama said.
She continued, “And guess what? Marriage isn’t 50/50, ever. Ever. There are times I’m 70, he’s 30. There are times he’s 60, 40. But guess what? Ten years. We’ve been married 30. I would take 10 bad years over 30 — it’s just how you look at it. People give up — ‘Five years; I can’t take it.’”
Still, Michelle Obama had respect for her husband.
“Do you like him? I mean, you could be mad at him, but do you still look at him and go, ‘I’m not happy with you, but I respect you. I don’t agree with you, but you’re still a kind, smart person,'” she said.
Watch her comments below:
The conversation came just after Michelle Obama’s second book titled, “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times,” was published.
“This book is my best attempt at offering people … a look into my toolbox: the practices and habits, the people who keep me balanced,” Michelle Obama said.
In the book, she offers her take on marriage as she claims to get questions about how she and Barack Obama have stayed together for so long.
“I think it’s important for us to … not to glamorize what a partnership feels like because then young people quit too soon,” she said. “They quit before they’ve really played out the full scenario.”
