Barack and Michelle Obama vacation on Steven Spielberg’s $250 million yacht off Italy
Weekend trip follows divorce-rumor coverage and remarks on a family-focused podcast
Barack and Michelle Obama spent a sun-drenched weekend aboard Steven Spielberg’s $250 million superyacht off the coast of Portofino, Italy, in a private getaway that kept them largely out of the public eye.
Michelle arrived at the vessel on Friday hours ahead of Barack, photographs show, and Spielberg greeted her with a warm embrace. Barack Obama, 64, joined later, escorted by security, wearing a brown shirt, white pants and a white hat. On Sunday, the couple lounged on deck and engaged in a sit-down conversation with Spielberg, who greeted Michelle as they spoke.
Photographs obtained by Backgrid depict the scene, with Michelle wearing a Canadian tuxedo, sunglasses, a black backpack and platform sandals. Barack was later seen strolling the vessel in a brown shirt and white pants. The pair's weekend trip comes amid persistent, but repeatedly debunked, speculation about their marriage after rumors on social media and on Michelle’s brother Craig Robinson's podcast, IMO.
Leading up to the special episode, Michelle teased that a "very, very, very special guest" would be appearing on the podcast. During the episode, Robinson joked, "Wait, you guys like each other?" Michelle responded that it was nice to be in the same room as her husband, and added, "There hasn’t been one moment in [our] marriage where I have thought about quitting [my] man." Barack later joked, "She took me back!" and noted that it was touch and go for a while. The couple has repeatedly addressed rumors in public appearances and on social media, stressing their bond and partnership.
Barack and Michelle have been married since 1992 and share two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Over the weekend, they were seen in a relaxed exchange with Spielberg on deck, underscoring their public stance of unity after weeks of chatter.
The outing follows a pattern in which the couple has publicly pushed back on relationship rumors, including social-media tributes and joint appearances that emphasize family life.
