Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have made it past one of the most taxing times of their marriage: the child-rearing years.
The former First Lady has been transparent about the challenges the couple endured while juggling Barack’s political career and raising their daughters, Malia, 24, and Sasha, 21.
Last year, during a roundtable discussion with other prominent women in Black culture, Michelle admitted the stress of being the girls’ primary caregiver led to a decade of not liking her husband.
“People think I’m being catty by saying this – it’s like, there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband,” she told Revolt TV.
She further explained, “There are times I’m 70, he’s 30. There are times he’s 60, 40, but guess what? Ten years – we’ve been married 30. I would take 10 bad years over 30 – it’s just how you look at it.”
Related: Michelle Obama Says She ‘Couldn’t Stand’ Barack for 10 Years After the Birth of Their Daughters
In a new interview for CBS, the former president of the United States addressed his wife’s comments. “Michelle, when our girls were growing up, that was priority one, two, three, and four,” he began.
He also acknowledged that he could have done more to help Michelle as a parent during their years in the White House.
“I did not fully appreciate, I think — as engaged of a father as I was — the degree of stress and tension for her knowing that not just me and Michelle were under scrutiny and in this strange environment,” said the “Dreams of My Father” author.
“But that we were raising our daughters in a situation that just wasn’t normal,” the 44th president added.
Now that Sasha and Malia both have graduated from college as young adults, the couple’s relationship has returned to equilibrium.
“She is a little more forgiving of all my faults… What she’s told me is, ‘Looking back, you did okay as a dad.’ And if I pass that test, she’ll forgive me [for] most of my other forcibles,” he said.
Online, social media users were quick to weigh in on the conversation, writing:
“They are so transparent. I hope their honesty helps someone.”
“10 years? Maybe I don’t need to get married cause if I don’t like you for 3 days I’m gone.”
“Lol he like baby I’m sorry u hated me I love you tho.”
“Hope they don’t start telling all they business like Will and Jada,” read a comment.
As for getting back into the “Becoming” author’s good graces, he said that leaving the Oval Office and having more time for each other has made all the difference.
In October, the couple will celebrate 31 years of marriage.
I, like the former comment. Do not wish to hear all your private life information. I would like for you to keep some things private it’s your business. And it’s okay Understandably, most marriages go through times and periods of trial and where you may like, and dislike your spouse. We know y’all are not perfect. You both have brought dignity and grace to the office of the president of the United States. You have demonstrated what a marriage can be. Beautifully. And you made the office of President of the United States great again. Where there sacrifices? Yes. Both of you and the girls sacrificed. Thank you. But I’m sure you counted the cost before you took the position. And there were some things you couldn’t have known until you were in office. But you stood anyway. Thank you.
Michelle, Barak continue to lift each other up and continue to show the people of America what marriage can be like. As an African-American, there are not that many black marriages that look like yours. You showed you were willing to sacrifice for the better. Thank you. Stay close together as a family . Continue to take care of those beautiful girls. You will always be their mother and their father. Know that you all are in our prayers daily. You have done great in my eyes and in the country’s eyes,it’s,OK . But my prayer for you is that your latter days be better than your former. Enjoy the years you have left and may God bless you .