Michelle Obama recently opened up about her early days with Barack Obama, reflecting on their relationship before he achieved financial success. On the latest episode of her “IMO” podcast, Michelle and her brother, Craig Robinson, had a candid conversation about money and relationships.

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When Robinson asked if she would be attracted to someone who wasn’t financially stable, Michelle responded, “Uh, I married one.” She explained that she left her corporate job when she met Barack, trusting that he had her back. “The risks you think you’re taking, they aren’t that crazy, and I’m here to help you,” she recalled him saying. That reassurance, she said, was more valuable to her than a higher income. “I would rather have somebody who is ready to do some hard things with me.”

Robinson suggested that many women today prioritize financial security in a partner, but Michelle pushed back, arguing that some don’t look deeply enough beyond the superficial traits. The couple met at a law firm in 1989, got engaged in 1991, and married the following year. Their life changed when Barack was elected an Illinois state senator in 2004 and later became the 44th U.S. president in 2008.

Despite their success, Michelle has been open about the challenges in their marriage. She previously shared that raising their daughters, Malia and Sasha, put a strain on their relationship, admitting she “couldn’t stand” Barack at times. However, she emphasized that marriage isn’t always balanced, saying, “I would take 10 bad years over 30.”

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Recently, speculation about their marriage arose when Barack attended high-profile events alone, but sources clarified that Michelle has simply stepped back from her former life in Washington, D.C.