Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate 33rd wedding anniversary with heartfelt tributes: 'So lucky'

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama marked their 33rd wedding anniversary on Friday, October 3, sharing heartfelt messages on Instagram.

The couple, who tied the knot in Chicago in 1992 after getting engaged in 1991, continue to inspire with their enduring love story.

Fans quickly flooded the comment sections with warm wishes and blessings as the Obamas offered a glimpse into their cherished moments together, celebrating more than three decades of partnership and family life with daughters Malia and Sasha.

Michelle and Barack Obama share same photo on wedding anniversary

Michelle Obama took to Instagram to celebrate her enduring bond with Barack Obama. 

"We’ve been on quite the journey over the last 33 years—and yet, I love you even more today than the day we said ‘I do,’" the former First Lady, 61, wrote alongside a smiling photo of the couple. “Happy anniversary, @BarackObama! I’m so lucky to go through life with you. ❤️”

Barack, 64, echoed her sentiment with a matching post and the same photo. “The best decision I ever made was marrying you, @MichelleObama,” he shared. “For 33 years, I’ve admired your strength, grace, and determination — and the fact that you look so good doing it all. Happy anniversary!”

Their love story began at a Chicago law firm, where Michelle was assigned to mentor Barack, a pairing that would lead to a lifelong partnership admired around the world.

Michelle Obama speaks about her first conversation with Barack Obama

Michelle Obama recently opened up on her podcast 'IMO,' reflecting on her early impressions of Barack Obama before they ever met in person.

She admitted she initially assumed he might be a bit "weird" and "nerdy." But that changed the moment they spoke on the phone, a conversation she described as having a "spark," hinting at the instant connection between them.

Their first in-person meeting over a long lunch only deepened that bond. Still, Michelle initially resisted the idea of a romantic relationship.

As Barack’s advisor at the time, she was concerned about appearing unprofessional or crossing boundaries, describing the idea as potentially “tacky” or “inappropriate.” Despite her reservations, love won out, and the two were married in 1992. They went on to raise two daughters: Malia, now 27, and Sasha, 24.

Michelle Obama addresses divorce rumors

In recent years, however, their marriage has faced a wave of public speculation. Rumors of a split emerged after Barack appeared solo at several high-profile events, including Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration.

In early 2025, a source claimed Michelle had become “checked out” of Washington life. She later addressed the rumors directly on actress Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast, pushing back firmly: “People couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, that they had to assume my husband and I were divorcing.”

Even Barack weighed in with humor, joking on Michelle’s IMO podcast that their relationship had been “touch and go for a while,” playfully acknowledging the gossip while reinforcing their enduring connection.

During her June 26 appearance on NPR’s Wild Card with Rachel Martin, Michelle Obama shut down speculation about her marriage. “It’s like the apocalypse,” she said. “It’s like, OK, so we don’t Instagram every minute of our lives. We are 60. We’re 60 y’all. You just are not gonna know what we’re doing every minute of the day, you know?"