You might think living in the White House comes with all the perks in the world, but Michelle Obama is now reminding people that even presidential life has its own set of unexpected costs.
But her recent comments about the financial burden of moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue haven’t landed quite the way she may have hoped.
In a candid appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast on May 1, the former First Lady shared personal details about her marriage, her financial worries back in the day, and what it really cost to live in the most famous house in America.
But instead of sympathy, Michelle found herself facing backlash from critics who say her complaints come off as tone-deaf—especially considering the Obamas are now worth tens of millions of dollars.
“It’s Expensive to Live in the White House”
While most would assume that the President and First Lady are taken care of from top to bottom, Michelle said that’s simply not the case.
“Because it’s expensive to live in the White House,” she said.
“Many people don’t know, but much is not covered.”
She explained that while housing and staff are provided, families still have to foot the bill for personal food, household essentials, and even travel if they’re not riding with the president.
If her daughters flew on the First Lady’s plane, Michelle said they had to pay for that themselves.
Critics Say the Comments Feel Out of Touch
Online reactions to Michelle’s remarks were swift and sharp.
Social media users accused her of being disconnected from everyday Americans who juggle rent, bills, groceries, and healthcare on average incomes.
“They have no real conception of the word ‘struggle,’” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another user commented, “Most of us pay for food, transportation, and more—what makes you so special?”
Others said that trying to win sympathy for paying for groceries while living rent-free in the White House just wasn’t the message she should be putting out.
Financial Fears Before the Presidency
Michelle also shared how the idea of Barack running for office initially made her nervous—not just emotionally, but financially too.
“You’re running for two years and not earning an income,” she explained.
“How would we manage this?”
She admitted that deep down, maybe a part of her hoped he wouldn’t win—not because she didn’t believe in him, but because the financial pressure was real.
The Obamas’ Wealth Has Skyrocketed Since Leaving Office
It’s true that back when Barack first entered the White House, their net worth sat around $1.3 million. But those days are long gone.
By the time he handed over the presidency, their wealth had surged past $12 million.
Today, estimates place the Obamas’ fortune anywhere between $70 million and $135 million.
That money has come from bestselling memoirs, a lucrative Netflix production deal, high-profile speaking gigs, and smart real estate investments.
Barack reportedly earns up to $400,000 for a single speech, while Michelle can command $225,000.
Together, they’ve raked in over $20 million from 2005 to 2016 alone.
A Growing Real Estate Empire
Their property portfolio is no joke either. The couple still owns their original Chicago home, purchased in 2005 for $1.65 million. It’s now worth closer to $2.5 million.
After leaving Washington, they scooped up an 8,200-square-foot mansion in D.C. for $8.1 million.
They also bought land in Oʻahu, Hawaii, in 2015 and have been building a lavish home there, now estimated at $18 million.
In 2019, the Obamas added a $11.75 million home on Martha’s Vineyard to the mix.
Even the White House Comes With Bills
So, what exactly do presidential families pay for? According to Michelle, quite a lot.
Aside from free housing and security, families are still expected to cover food, toiletries, travel for non-official events, and private parties—even if they happen inside the White House.
Former First Lady Laura Bush also talked about this in her own memoir, admitting she was shocked at how much she had to spend on clothing just to meet expectations.
Michelle’s earlier comments about food bills first came up in 2018 during a lighthearted moment on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where she said, “Rent is free, staff is free—we shouldn’t be mooching off the taxpayers.”
Divorce Rumors Continue to Swirl
Michelle’s recent podcast chat wasn’t all about money.
She also took time to address persistent rumors that her marriage to Barack is on the rocks.
Speculation started earlier this year when Barack attended both Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration solo.
Michelle later said she skipped both events for personal reasons—like spending time on a previously planned vacation in Hawaii.
But the whispers haven’t gone away. “That’s the thing that we as women struggle with—disappointing people,” she said on the podcast.
“They couldn’t fathom that I made that decision for myself, so they assumed my marriage was falling apart.”
“I Wouldn’t Trade It,” Michelle Says of Marriage
Despite the buzz, Michelle was quick to shut down any suggestions of marital issues.
Laughing off the gossip, she said, “If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it.”
Her brother, Craig Robinson, also joked, “If they were having a problem, I’d be doing a podcast with him.”
Michelle didn’t sugarcoat things, though. She called marriage “hard” but added, “I wouldn’t trade it.”
She even referred to Barack as “my person,” saying it with the affection of someone who’s weathered a lot but remains steady in her commitment.
