Former president Barack Obama was spotted stepping out in New York City on Friday night alongside his sister Auma, in the latest string of public dinners without his wife, Michelle.
Obama, 63, wore an all black suit as the siblings, who share a father, left the ZZ Club in Hudson Yards.
The establishment is a private members club that has its own Japanese restaurant, a cigar terrace and is the only private location of a Carbone restaurant in the world.
Similarly, Michelle has been frequently seen in recent outings dining with her brother Craig Robinson, with the two also cohosting her new podcast.
The Obamas haven’t strayed from the public eye since leaving the White House in 2016, but have rarely been seen together as of late.
Separation rumors started to swirl over the winter, when Barack was spotted without Michelle at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Speculation as to why the first lady skipped the two major high-profile events was unavoidable.
Michelle offered a vague explanation during an interview on actress and activist Sophia Bush’s podcast, Work in Progress.
Barack Obama was spotted stepping out in New York City on Friday alongside his sister, who rarely attends public outings
Obama was spotted alongside his sister Auma
Michelle is frequently spotted with her brother, Craig Robinson, especially since the launch of their podcast
‘That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people,’ she told Sophia.
‘I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,’ Michelle continued.
‘That this couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?’
At the time, Michelle’s team said she missed Carter’s funeral due to ‘scheduling conflicts,’ blaming her absence on a preplanned holiday vacation in Hawaii.
Michelle’s comments only further fueled separation rumors, coupled with the fact that the two have rarely been seen together in public.
They were pictured together in December enjoying a dinner at a Los Angeles restaurant called Mother Wolf, but have been seen separately since.
Michelle was seen once again at Mother Wolf in February with her brother Craig Robinson.
The siblings were pictured smiling and laughing together amid heightened divorce rumors between the Obamas.
It seems like Barack is taking a page out of his wife’s book, attending a dinner with a sibling instead of a spouse
The former president proved his swagger was still intact leaving the ZZ Club in Hudson Yards on Friday
Michelle and her brother launched their new podcast, IMO (In My Opinion) with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson in March.
The siblings have embarked on a media tour to promote the new project and were seen together once again in April.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted her diamond wedding ring as she visited The Academy headquarters in North Hollywood.
However, Barack was then spotted at a dinner once again without his wife in San Francisco last month.
The former president was also seen at a Japanese-Californian restaurant in West Los Angeles with his daughters, as Michelle was noticeably absent.
Despite the rumors, the Obamas have stayed tight-lipped about their marriage and have attempted to dispel the claims with social media posts.
Michelle finally spoke out about the rumors on Sophia Bush’s podcast, explaining that she missed Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Trump’s inauguration because she’s taking time for herself
Despite the frequent separate outings, the Obamas have stayed tight-lipped on their divorce and posted sweet messages to each other on social media
Barack posted a photo of the two on Valentine’s Day with a sweet caption that read, ‘Thirty-two years together and you still take my breath away. Happy Valentine’s Day, Michelle Obama!’
Michelle also shared the photo, adding, ‘If there’s one person I can always count on, it’s you, Barack Obama. You’re my rock. Always have been. Always will be. Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!’
Barack also wished his wife a happy 61st birthday, writing on social media, calling Michelle the ‘love of my life.’
‘You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you!’ he added.
