Amid Barack Obama-Michelle divorce rumours, insider's bombshell claim about their relationship

At a time when unconfirmed rumours about former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama are doing rounds on social media, Meghan McCain and a Washington-insider reporter has spilled the beans about their relationship. Speculation about the Obamas getting divorced surfaced when Michelle skipped out on both the inauguration and Jimmy Carter's funeral that Barack attended.

Speaking to Puck reporter Tara Palmieri on her podcast, McCain brought up that she's been hearing rumours of a split. Meghan McCain weighed in on the rumor that Barack and Michelle Obama are getting divorced, claiming on Wednesday that the former president and first lady “live separate lives.”

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Barack Obama and Michelle living separately?

Meghan brought up the topic of a split between the former POTUS and his wife Michelle on the podcast, according to The Mirror. In the conversation, Michelle claimed to have heard rumours from ‘reputable people’.

“I have been hearing this rumour that the Obamas are getting a divorce by reputable people,” she was quoted as saying by the Mirror. “I’m not talking about TMZ. I’m not talking about Perez Hilton, although I love him, he’s my friend. I’m talking about like very serious journalists telling me that they’re hearing that the Obama divorce rumours are true.”

“We’ve heard that for a long time,” Tara agreed, adding: “I am not at home with them, but it’s not really surprising at this phase of their life.” She then went on to say that Michelle ‘did not really like being First Lady’.

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Barack Obama's post for Michelle on Instagram

Amid rumours of divorce, the Obamas appeared to shut down buzz during Michelle’s birthday on January 17th. On her birthday, Barack Obama posted an Instagram tribute for his wife. As Michelle turned 61, her husband penned: “Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama. You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humour, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you!”

In the photo, the pair could be seen sat across the table from each other as they reached out and held hands. Celebrities including David Beckham took to the post to share their congratulations. Michelle herself commented saying “Love you, honey!” but Meghan wasn’t as convinced, according to The Mirror.

“I would kill Ben if he put a picture of me looking like no makeup with that lighting on social media,” she said of her husband Ben Domenech. “I would kill him. So for me it didn’t help the rumours, and like why are you putting this like s****y picture of your wife up?"

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Barack-Michelle relationship timeline

Michelle and Barack tied the knot in 1992, three years after their initial meeting. The pair met when Michelle joined the law firm Sidley Austin, although she declined his offers to date for the first three months.

The couple wed in Chicago and welcomed their first daughter Malia Ann Obama six years later. In 2001, they welcomed their second daughter Natasha "Sasha" Obama. Barack was sworn into office in 2009, completing two terms until 2017.

The last time the pair was seen together was in early mid-December, over a month ago, when they stepped out for dinner in Los Angeles. Last October, actress Jennifer Aniston publicly shut down 'absolutely untrue' claims by a US gossip magazine that she and Barack were in a relationship – making Michelle feel 'betrayed.'

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Over the years, the couple has spoken candidly about their martial struggles, with Michelle previously describing the 'resentment' she had over having to put her career on hold to be a mother while Barack's continued to flourish.

And tensions only grew during their time in the White House - thanks to the immense 'pressure' that came with 'needing to get everything right and be "on" at every moment,' as well as Barack's focus on his work rather than his family.