“I would rather have somebody who is ready to do some hard things with me.”
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle close the Obama Foundation Summit together on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology on October 29, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Michelle Obama shared the reason she married former President Barack Obama and made it clear that there was no financial motive. The Chicago native made the revelation with her brother on their collaborative IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson podcast. While speaking with special guest Jay Shetty about transforming relationships with compassion, the conversation shifted to considering financial status when dating.
“Would you be attracted to a guy who is not financially sound when you meet him?” questioned Robinson to listeners and his co-host.
“Umm… I married one,” declared Obama.
“You have to admit, most of your sistren… I’m talking about women in general, typically are not like you at that age. They’re looking for a good catch,” responded Robinson.
“And there’s a clear definition of what a good catch is,” added the former First Lady.
“Maybe you can find somebody who’s attracted to the hunt with you, which I think is hard to find these days,” suggested Robinson.
“You make a good point,” responded Obama. “I think we can’t generalize across the board for women, and I think women are also confused about what they want and what they should be looking for in a mate. I have a lot of friends who would ding a guy because he doesn’t have a college degree. There are a lot of people who aren’t looking deep enough. They aren’t thinking broadly enough. Instead, we all just look at the superficial things.”
Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama at “IMO Live: Michelle Obama, Craig Robinson & Dr. Laurie Santos” during SXSW Conference & Festivals at the Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Hubert Vestil/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
“I left my corporate firm when I met Barack, and I had somebody who was like, ‘I got your back. The risks you think you’re taking, they aren’t that crazy, and I’m here to help you.’ That’s when I said, ‘I would rather have that in a partner than a higher income. I would rather have somebody who is ready to do some hard things with me.’ But that meant I had to be ready to do some hard things with him,” elaborated the mother of two.
“I just think… we shouldn’t assume. You just got to kind of get out there and meet people and come to people with your truth, and then let them decide.”
IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson is a weekly podcast where the brother-sister duo and a special guest tackle listener-submitted questions. According to its website, “This podcast will leave you laughing, reflecting, and feeling more prepared to tackle life’s challenges.”
Past guests include Keke Palmer, Dr. Laurie Santos, Seth and Lauren Rogan, and Issa Rae.
Watch the full episode of the IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson featuring Jay Shetty below.
