Former President Barack Obama was observed dining without his wife, Michelle, on Friday, April 25, 2025, amid ongoing speculation about their marriage. Obama, 63, was seen with his daughters, Sasha and Malia, at Hamasuku, a high-end Japanese restaurant in Santa Monica, California.
Obama wore his wedding ring while meeting his daughters at the upscale restaurant. The family has frequented the venue since 2022, as Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, both reside in Los Angeles, California.
This recent outing occurs amidst continued rumors about the Obamas’ 32-year marriage. Speculation started earlier this year when Michelle was absent from two key events. In January, Barack Obama attended former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral alone, as well as President Donald Trump’s inauguration later that month.
Michelle’s advisers informed CNN that she had a scheduling conflict and was in Hawaii during Carter’s funeral. It was also suggested that she wished to avoid Trump, who defeated the Obamas’ preferred candidate, Kamala Harris, in the 2024 election.
Michelle has recently addressed the divorce rumors. “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,” Obama told Sophia Bush on the “Work in Progress” podcast. She clarified that her absences were due to personal decisions following years of public service.
During an appearance at Hamilton College on April 3, Barack Obama discussed efforts to spend more quality time with Michelle since leaving the White House. He acknowledged that his presidency impacted their relationship and shared how they are working to reconnect through shared activities.
Despite occasional separate appearances, Barack and Michelle have expressed their affection publicly. On Valentine’s Day, Barack posted a message, stating that Michelle still takes his breath away after 32 years together. Michelle responded by calling Barack her rock.
A source informed The Sun of Michelle’s potential solo trip overseas, aiming to pursue personal goals and find inspiration in countries such as France, Italy, Greece, and Spain.
In a March interview on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, Michelle Obama revealed a difference in opinion with Barack regarding family size. While content with their two daughters, Barack had mentioned the possibility of a third child, which Michelle was not in favor of.
The Obamas have also discussed their daughters’ independence. Barack shared that Malia opted not to use the family name in her film project credits, preferring viewers to focus on her work rather than her family background.
Malia and Sasha were in elementary school during their father’s presidency. Today, Malia is pursuing a career in screenwriting and directing in Los Angeles, while Sasha graduated from USC in 2023. The sisters have established lives in California, while their parents continue to reside in Washington, D.C.
Amidst ongoing speculation, Michelle emphasizes that her independent choices signify personal growth. The couple, who met in 1988 at a Chicago law firm, continues to navigate their 32-year relationship by balancing shared and individual pursuits.
