Michelle Obama recently addressed persistent divorce rumors during an appearance on Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast.

Now that her daughters, Malia (26) and Sasha (23), have moved out,

the former First Lady reflected on her new chapter as an “empty nester,”

sharing that it’s the first time in her life she’s making decisions purely for herself.

“[Life] is whatever I want,” she said with a joyful tone. “It’s the first time all of my choices are for me.”

Michelle spoke candidly about the pressure women face to put others first,

and how asserting independence can spark backlash.

She noted that some people couldn’t comprehend her making personal choices—

like skipping certain public events—without assuming trouble in her marriage to Barack Obama

.Her absence,

from President Trump’s inauguration and President Jimmy Carter’s funeral fueled rumors, especially with Barack attending both.

Michelle didn’t clarify which decision sparked the gossip but made it clear

: choosing herself doesn’t mean there’s marital strife

.The rumors,

took an odd turn when In Touch Weekly suggested actress Jennifer Aniston was trying to “steal” Barack’s heart—

a claim Aniston swiftly denied

. “I’ve met [Barack] once. I know Michelle more than him,” she said.Michelle’s

message was clear: women deserve the freedom to make choices for themselves without public assumptions or judgment.