During a recent episode of her IMO podcast, Michelle Obama dropped a relationship gem that had everyone talking. When asked if she would be attracted to a guy who wasn’t financially sound, she didn’t hesitate to respond.
Yes, the former First Lady of the United States, wife to a two-term president, best-selling author, and one of the most influential women in the world, just admitted that she married a man who wasn’t exactly rolling in cash when they met. And guess what? It was one of the best decisions she ever made.
Michelle and her brother, Craig Robinson, tackled the topic of money in relationships on Wednesday’s episode of her podcast. Craig didn’t waste time getting straight to the point, asking, “Would you be attracted to a guy who’s not financially sound when you meet him?”
Michelle’s answer was refreshingly candid: “Uh, I married one.”
She went on to explain, “I left my corporate firm when I met Barack. I had somebody who was like, ‘I got your back. The risks you think you’re taking, they aren’t that crazy, and I’m here to help you.’”
For Michelle, it wasn’t about the size of his paycheck. It was about the strength of his character. “I would rather have that in a partner than a higher income. I would rather have somebody who is ready to do some hard things with me.” But she didn’t stop there. She acknowledged that for the relationship to work, she had to be willing to do the same for him.
Craig, playing devil’s advocate, pointed out that many women today wouldn’t take the same path Michelle did. “Women in general,” he argued, are looking for a “good catch” right off the bat.
Michelle wasn’t having it. She pushed back, saying it’s unfair to generalize all women. However, she did admit that some people focus too much on “superficial” qualities instead of looking deeper into a partner’s potential.
Michelle was 25, and Barack was 28 when they met at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago. He was a summer associate, and she was his mentor. (Yes, she was his boss)
Despite her initial hesitation about dating a colleague, Barack won her over. Within a month, he asked her on a date. By 1991, they were engaged, and a year later, they were married. The Obamas welcomed their first daughter, Malia, in 1998 and their second, Sasha, in 2001.
Their life changed forever in 2004 when Barack was elected as an Illinois state senator.
In 2008, Barack made history as the 44th U.S. president, serving two terms. But their journey wasn’t always glamorous. Michelle has been open about the struggles, the sacrifices, and the teamwork it took to build a life together.
Would you take a chance on a partner with potential but not the paycheck?
