After nearly 34 years of marriage and a shared life lived for years under the glare of American politics, former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have spoken about their relationship, their years in the White House and the opening of the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. 

In a wide-ranging interview with People magazine, Barack Obama admitted that the marriage had not always been an entirely equal experience.

“I don’t know if it’s been an equal partnership,” he said. “But it’s worked out for me pretty well. I’ve gotten more out of it than she has. For her it’s probably more of a mixed bag.”

Michelle Obama also reflected on the couple’s long personal history in Chicago. In a post on X on Wednesday, she wrote that much of both their lives “runs through the South Side of Chicago,” adding that they had enjoyed revisiting memories from their decades together.

The interview took place at the new Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side, the area where the couple met, married and raised their daughters, Malia and Sasha, before Barack Obama’s rise from community organiser to the first Black president of the United States. The centre has now opened to the public, according to the Obama Foundation.

“My husband is always thinking about reflecting the light on other people,” Michelle Obama said, referring to the centre. “This is my husband’s vision from top to bottom. He made sure this is about the community, a place that our neighbourhood could use and feel welcome.”

Barack Obama, in turn, stressed the collective nature of the project.

“I do want to make sure that people see all of the people whose shoulders we stand on,” he said. “This is a group project. I think Michelle is surprised and proud that we pulled this off.”

The couple also spoke about the foundations of their marriage.

“I knew almost immediately, and looks like I made a pretty good bet, that this was a one-of-a-kind woman with the integrity and character, smarts and values to make me better,” Barack Obama said.

Michelle Obama described the former president as a steadying presence throughout their life together.

“We are each other’s counterbalance,” she said. “He was like, ‘I got you.’ And however hard it’s been, the ups and downs, he’s got me.”

Barack Obama replied: “And she grounds and anchors me. It’s worked out a’ight.”