Michelle Obama is embracing every stage of her life — and she’s grateful to have a partner who embraces it with her. The former first lady, 61, reflected on love, aging and self-confidence during the November 19 episode of her IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast, where she sat down with actress Jane Fonda, former model and activist Bethann Hardison, and designer and businesswoman Jenna Lyons for an open conversation about evolving as women.
During the discussion, Obama shared how her relationship with her body — and especially her height — has strengthened with time. Standing 5-foot-11, she admitted she once approached high heels cautiously, but today she leans into her stature with confidence.
“I love my height,” she said. “I love a four-inch heel as long as I’m just walking from here to there! I love the silhouette of a heel — the way it makes your foot look. But I like a kitten heel because I don’t want to be that uncomfortable. Now, I feel like I completely own all of me — my height, all of it.”
That confidence, she noted, is rooted partly in feeling fully accepted by her husband, former President Barack Obama, 64. Despite standing only two inches shorter than her, Barack has never been bothered by her height — or the fact that heels often make her taller than him.
“Fortunately, I have a tall husband,” she said with a laugh. “But I also have a husband who doesn’t mind when I’m eye-to-eye with him because I’ve got a heel on. He’s like, ‘Okay, we’re going to be tall tonight.’ I’m like, ‘Yes, we are.’ And it helps, right, because my partner loves every inch of me.”
Earlier this month, Michelle offered another glimpse into their marriage, telling People that date nights have become simpler and more meaningful. Rather than glamorous outings, she and Barack prefer evenings at home — no formal attire, just a quiet dinner with candles, music, and conversation.
“We don’t talk for the whole day,” she shared, explaining they save their best conversations for the dinner table. “When we are going to have a really special night, it’s like, ‘Don’t talk to me. Save it for dinner.’”
