Barack Obama spotted without wife Michelle at ritzy LA restaurant with daughters amid marriage woe rumors

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: While rumors of marital strain between former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama continue to swirl, a recent public sighting has once again stirred the pot. 

Barack was recently seen spending quality time with his daughters in Los Angeles, noticeably without Michelle by his side.

This follows a rare romantic outing just a week earlier, when the couple dined at one of their favorite Italian restaurants in Washington, DC.

Talk of a rift in their 32-year marriage first gained traction in January after Michelle opted not to attend former president Jimmy Carter’s funeral, leaving Barack to represent the family alone. 

The whispers intensified as the couple went months without any joint public appearances, and Michelle was also absent from President Donald Trump's inauguration, again prompting questions about the state of their relationship.

Barack Obama spotted without wife Michelle in LA

According to photos obtained by DailyMail via Backgrid, former president Barack Obama, 63, was spotted Friday evening heading to dinner at Hamasaku, a high-end Japanese-Californian restaurant in West Los Angeles. 

He was reportedly joined by his daughters, Malia and Sasha, although the sisters were not photographed upon his arrival.

Known for its premium sushi and upscale offerings like $35 caviar and $38 wagyu steaks, Hamasaku is a familiar favorite for the Obama family. 

A previous visit in 2022 drew attention when the former president’s Secret Service detail was seen occupying a handicap parking spot for several hours during their meal.

Though Michelle Obama did not accompany her husband, Barack was still wearing his wedding ring amid ongoing rumors of tension in their 32-year marriage.

It remains unclear where Michelle spent her evening, but she took to Instagram the following day to mark Independent Bookstore Day, sharing a photo of herself picking up some new reads.

Speculation about the couple's relationship intensified last month when Barack addressed students at Hamilton College.

He jokingly referenced the strain his presidency had placed on his marriage, admitting he was in a “deep deficit with my wife” and quipping that he’s been trying to climb out of it “by doing occasionally fun things.”

Michelle Obama's absence from Barack’s recent LA outing sparks online debate

As photos of Barack Obama dining at a ritzy LA restaurant with his daughters — while Michelle was noticeably absent — circulated online amid ongoing marriage rumors, many internet users were quick to share their opinions.

One user joked, "Maybe she was worried she would run into Trump at the restaurant."

One person remembered, "Watch her most recent interviews/podcasts. She says nothing positive about her husband, everything is negative. Coupled with the fact that they haven't been seen together in how long now?"

A comment read, "Fun fact 2 men married doesn’t last long 😮big Mike is difficult to handle."

One slammed, "Not even Barack wants to be around that miserable woman!"

An Instagram user mocked, "I am sure they have a peaceful and enjoyable outting.😂" A person said, "Michelle is EMOTIONALLY BROKEN and DAMAGED."

A speaker wrote, "So odd. People marrying for convenience seen apart. 🤔" A user declared, "She said she's choosing her so..... They are done."

The last user said, "That’s the best thing that could happen to him."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online