Michelle Obama Says Barack Obama Encouraged Her to Take Career Risks

Michelle Obama said her husband, Barack Obama, encouraged her to take professional risks she might not have pursued on her own. In a joint interview with People published Wednesday, the couple reflected on nearly 34 years of marriage. Michelle Obama described herself as someone who values stability and might have remained in familiar settings without external encouragement.

"I think I would have had a beautiful life here, but I think it would have been smaller," she said. One example she cited was leaving a corporate law firm. She added that the same influence extended to her family. "Because of my husband, because of who he is, he offered all of us — my mom, my family — just a broader sense of what's possible in life," she said.

The former first lady has previously discussed how the couple maintains their relationship. In a 2023 podcast she noted differing expressions of affection, while in a 2025 appearance she described playful teasing as one of her own forms of connection. She has said lasting partnerships require ongoing effort from both people.