Michelle Obama has faced backlash for complaining about the costs associated with moving into the White House when her husband Barack became president.
The former First Lady appeared on the Diary of a CEO podcast on May 1, sharing new insight into her marriage as the couple fend off rumors they’re headed for divorce.
The Obama’s estimated net worth ranges between $70 million to $135 million, making him among the richest presidents to leave office – trailing behind both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.
But Michelle noted on the podcast that this wasn’t always the case, and that when they actually got into the White House, the costs could stack up quickly.
‘Because it’s expensive to live in the White House. Many people don’t know, but much is not covered,’ she said.
‘You’re paying for every bit of food you eat. You’re not paying for housing and the staff in it but everything, even travel.
‘If you’re not traveling with the president, if your kids are coming on Bright Star – the First Lady’s plane – we had to pay for their travel to be on the plane.’
Her comments have horrified critics online who have accused her of being out of touch, given her husband’s salary alone in the White House placed him among America’s top 97 percent of earners.
Michelle Obama has finally addressed rumors that she and husband and ex-President Barack Obama are on the outs after Tucker Carlson claimed she ‘really dislikes her husband’
The Obama’s estimated net worth ranges between $70 million to $135 million, making him among the richest presidents to leave office – trailing behind both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton
‘They have no real conception of the word ‘struggle’ or ever experienced any type of real-life struggles like Americans are experiencing today,’ one critic wrote on X.
‘Most of us have to pay for our own food & transportation in addition to rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, healthcare, etc. What makes you so special?’ another asked.
‘This is a really bad look and is going to fall flat if she wanted to garner sympathy. No one in America gets anything for their family for free because of their job.’
When Barack initially told her he wanted to run for office, one of her initial thoughts was questioning how they could afford it.
‘You’re running for two years and not earning an income,’ she added. ‘How would we manage this?
‘Maybe way in the back of my mind, I was hoping he wouldn’t [win.] But I knew he had it in him, to win.’
Upon entering office, the Obama’s had an estimated net worth of $1.3 million. By the time Barack handed over the keys to Trump, his fortune had reportedly skyrocketed to more than $12 million.
The couple have both released memoirs, signed a production deal with Netflix and are regularly engaged to participate in speaking events across the nation.
Michelle said it was an ‘expensive proposition’ that Barack had posed by wanting to run for president, but she never doubted his success
Michelle has since launched her own podcast, and all former presidents earn a six-figure pension upon leaving office.
Between 2005, when Barack joined the Senate, to 2016, when he departed the White House, the couple had earned a total of $20.5million.
That includes Obama’s salary of $400,000 annually for the eight years he served as leader.
Since leaving office, Barack can – and reportedly has – charged upwards of $400,000 per speaking engagement, while Michelle can command about $225,000.
The lion’s share of their fortune comes from those book deals, speaking engagements and a series of property investments they’ve made over the years.
The couple still own their home in Chicago’s Hyde Park which they bought for about $1.65 million in 2005 with a $1.3 million mortgage. The property is now estimated to be worth about $2.5millin.
They also purchased a sprawling 8,200-square-foot mansion in Washington, DC, for $8.1 million after leaving the White House.
The couple have also been renovating a home in Oʻahu in Hawaii since they purchased the land in 2015 which is now estimated to be worth as much as $18 million.
Michelle’s latest revelations about life in the White House come as she and Barack fend off rumors they’re headed for divorce
And in 2019, the Obamas reportedly purchased a house in Martha’s Vineyard for $11.75 million.
While in office, presidents and their families enjoy a raft of perks, including free lodging and bills associated with upkeep, a free security detail and the use of Air Force One – the president’s plane.
But several former First Lady’s have shared details about what is not covered that caught them by surprise.
Michelle first revealed that food was not covered during a 2018 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel.
‘It’s a little shocking, because no one tells you this stuff,’ she said.
‘Rent is free, staff is free – we shouldn’t be mooching off of the taxpayers.’
When a president goes on vacation, costs of security and travel are covered, but the bill for a hotel or any food and incidentals must be covered privately.
And they’re still responsible for covering household expenses like stocking up on toilet paper, toothpaste and garbage bags.
Upon entering office, the Obama’s had an estimated net worth of $1.3million. By the time Barack handed over the keys to Trump, his fortune had reportedly skyrocketed to more than $12 million
Former first lady Laura Bush wrote in a memoir that it is ‘more than fair that they pay for personal items like every American household.’
But she said she was ‘amazed by the sheer number of designer clothes that I was expected to buy, like the women before me, to meet the expectations for a first lady.’
Any private parties held within or outside of the White House must also be paid for by the family.
Michelle’s latest revelations about life in the White House come as she and Barack fend off rumors they’re headed for divorce.
The couple have been plagued by speculation since Barack attended both Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Trump’s inauguration solo back in January.
Michelle has repeatedly insisted in recent months her decision not to attend the DC events was one she made in her own best interests, and she was shocked to discover the enduring fallout.
‘That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people,’ she said on one podcast.
‘I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know, 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,’ Michelle continued.
While in office, presidents and their families enjoy a raft of perks, including free lodging and bills associated with upkeep, a free security detail and the use of Air Force One – the president’s plane
‘That this couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?’
At the time, Michelle’s team said she missed Carter’s funeral due to ‘scheduling conflicts,’ blaming her absence on a preplanned holiday vacation in Hawaii.
And last week during the podcast with entrepreneur and investor Steven Bartlett promoting her own new show, she again swatted away any suggestion she and Barack are unhappy.
‘If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,’ she said, laughing.
She added that she’s ‘not a martyr’ and joked about how she would address such marital strife publicly.
Her brother Craig Robinson also chimed in, adding: ‘If they were having a problem, I’d be doing a podcast with him.’
Michelle acknowledged that marriage is ‘hard’ for her and the former president but added that ‘I wouldn’t trade it,’ calling President Obama, ‘as the young people say… my person.’