Michelle Obama has no regrets about her daughters growing up and moving on. In fact, she's thriving in this new chapter of her life.
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Michelle Obama is reveling in life as an empty nester. The "Becoming" author shared her honest thoughts on how she feels about her and former President Barack Obama's daughters, Malia, 28, and Sasha, 25, no longer living at home.
Michelle Obama speaks during Higher Ground's "IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson" podcast during 2025 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival at Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center on August 9 in Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images
"I don't miss 'em," Michelle candidly told Jon Stewart on the August 26 episode of her and her brother Craig Robinson's "In My Opinion" podcast. "I don't. I love them. I'm going to see them tonight for dinner."
The former first lady's perspective, however, stands in stark contrast to her husband's. Michelle revealed that Barack grew emotional when Malia and Sasha left for college to Harvard University in 2017 and the University of Southern California in 2019, respectively.
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(L-R) Former U.S. President Barack Obama, Former first lady Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, and Sasha Obama cheer after the performance of Eddie Vedder and Guitars Over Guns during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images
"Barack cried when they went to college. I was like, 'Bye!'" she jokingly admitted. "Now, Friday nights aren't wrecked with terror and fear about, 'Where are you?'" As Michelle put it, "I love their emancipation and growth."
When Jon — also dad to son Nathan, 22, and daughter Maggie, 20, with wife Tracey McShane — asked Michelle if she missed the "job" of parenting, she didn't hesitate to answer, bluntly responding, "No."
"It gave meaning and pattern to my life," Stewart added, to which Michelle replied without missing a beat, "I'm good."
Michelle Obama speaks on stage during IMO Live podcast 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 13 in Austin, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
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"Looking at all this meaning," she continued, appearing to gesture to her and her brother's podcast studio. "I have a wonderful pattern." While Jon and Craig agreed that they enjoy their kids' schedules, Michelle quipped, "I love my schedule."
"I have a great schedule," she added, "and it's all mine." Still, the "Becoming" author noted there's a reason dads may feel differently than moms once the kids leave the nest.
"I think fathers can be that way because you weren't there from 6:00 to 9:00 at night, you missed a lot of it," she shared. "I mean, I've had so much quality time with my children, so much. I know them inside and out."
Indeed, throughout Barack's two terms in office, Michelle made clear that her role first and foremost was always their daughters, famously dubbing herself "Mom-in-Chief."
Now, years later, she couldn't be prouder of the young women her daughters have become, despite their far from conventional upbringing in the White House.
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