Former President Barack Obama celebrated his wife Michelle Obama's birthday on Friday, calling her “the love of my life.”
The 61-year-old former first lady has largely avoided public appearances in recent weeks. She is not expected to attend President-elect Trump's inauguration on Monday and was not present at former President Jimmy Carter's funeral last week.
To mark his wife's birthday, the former president paid tribute to his wife on Instagram, writing, “You fill any room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace. And for doing so… It's so nice to be here. I'm so lucky to be able to do this.” Let's go on the adventure of life with you! ”
Michelle Obama skips President Trump's inauguration to avoid 'pretending for protocol': report
Former first lady Michelle Obama hugs her husband, former President Barack Obama, on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 20, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Blake)
Michelle later shared the post on X and captioned it, “I love you, honey!” It was followed by a heart emoji and a face emoji blowing a kiss.
A source close to Michelle told People magazine that the former first lady plans to skip President Trump's inauguration because she can't contain her disdain for the Republican president-elect.
Michelle Obama to skip President Trump's inauguration, 11 days after missing Carter's funeral
Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks prior to the arrival of Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign rally at the Wings Event Center on October 26, 2024 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
The former first lady took repeated jabs at Trump during Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign and during her speech at the Democratic National Convention in August. In her speech at the DNC, she accused President Trump of spreading “racist lies” and opposing her husband's political career because of his race.
Although she has often been floated as a Democratic presidential candidate, the source stressed that the former first lady has no interest in becoming a public figure now that her duties are over.
Jennifer Aniston responds to tabloid linking her to Barack Obama romantically
Actress Jennifer Aniston and former President Barack Obama. (Michael Buckner/Variety | Michelle Gustafson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Michelle will not be attending President Trump's inauguration, but former President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend Monday's inauguration, along with former President Bill Clinton, former President George W. Bush and their spouses.
Jennifer Aniston responds to tabloid linking her to Barack Obama romantically
Late last year, the Obamas' marriage hit a rocky patch, with unconfirmed rumors circulating that the former president was romantically involved with actress Jennifer Aniston.
Aniston flatly denied the rumors, telling late night host Jimmy Kimmel, “That's just not true. … I know Michelle better than he does.”
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At the time, an Obama representative told Fox News Digital when asked for comment: “Screw it.”
Fox News Digital's Kristine Parks and Caroline Thayer contributed to this report.
