Michelle Obama says she has reached a point in life where she feels comfortable making choices based on her own priorities. At 61, the former First Lady shared in an interview on the Wild Card podcast with Rachel Martin that she no longer feels obligated to meet every public expectation. Instead, she focuses on authenticity and deciding how she wants to spend her time. She explained, **“Let me define what I want to do, apart from what the world expects of me.”**

Some of her recent decisions attracted public attention, including not attending the inauguration of Donald Trump or the funeral of Jimmy Carter. Obama acknowledged the criticism but said she is comfortable accepting it if it means staying true to her own priorities. For her, living honestly matters more than meeting assumptions about what she should do.

She also addressed rumors about problems in her marriage with Barack Obama. Responding with humor, she dismissed speculation that their relationship is struggling. Obama joked that the couple is **“too old for Instagram,”** explaining that not posting photos online does not mean anything is wrong in their relationship.

Reflecting on her earlier years, Obama said many personal ambitions were set aside while she raised her daughters and supported her husband’s political career. As a working mother and First Lady, she focused heavily on family responsibilities and teamwork rather than her own individual goals.

Now she says she is entering a new phase of life where her schedule and choices belong to her. Thinking about how many summers she may have left has encouraged her to slow down and focus on meaningful experiences, relationships, and personal fulfillment.

Obama hopes this approach encourages others to live more intentionally as well. Her message highlights the importance of self-care, personal agency, and reevaluating priorities as life changes. By choosing how she spends her time and embracing authenticity, she aims to show that it’s never too late to focus on what truly matters.