Former US President Barack Obama acknowledged that he has been digging himself “out of a hole” in his relationship with Michelle Obama, admitting that the demands of his time in the White House had taken a toll on their marriage. Speaking at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday during his European tour, Obama reflected on the strain their years in office placed on his family life.“I was digging myself out of the hole I found myself in with Michelle … Now I’m at about level ground,” he was quoted as saying by The Standard.The former president acknowledged that rebuilding his relationship with Michelle Obama has been a “challenge,” noting that their marriage recently drew public attention when she chose not to accompany him to former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in January. Just a week later, she was also absent from President Donald Trump’s inauguration.In April, Barack Obama, 64, reflected on the challenges of repairing his marriage to Michelle, 61, after his two consecutive presidential terms from 2009 to 2017. “I was in a deep deficit with my wife,” he admitted in a conversation with Hamilton College president Steven Tepper. By May 2023, the former US president noted that life after the White House had given him “a little more time with her,” helping to mend the bond.Michelle Obama also previously dismissed speculation that she and Barack were headed for a divorce.Michelle explained that the reason she and Barack are rarely photographed together is simply because they’re “too old for Instagram.” Addressing speculation about their marriage, the 61-year-old told NPR podcast host Rachel Martin, “the fact that people don’t see me going out on a date with my husband sparks rumors of the end of our marriage. It’s like, ‘OK, so we don’t Instagram every minute of our lives. We are 60. We’re 60, y’all.’”Michelle and Barack first met in 1989 while working at a Chicago law firm and got married three years later. They are parents to two daughters, Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24.