Michelle Obama did not attend the January 20, 2025, presidential inauguration because she chose to prioritize her own well-being and make decisions that were right for her personally. She shared in a podcast that this was a challenging decision and required her to resist doing what was seen as appropriate or expected, instead focusing on what was best for herself. She even ensured she had no dress ready for the event to help stick to her choice. Her absence sparked speculation about marital issues, which she denied, emphasizing that it was about her own life choices and healing after years in the White House. No specific public explanation was given ahead of the inauguration, but her later comments clarified her stance on taking care of her emotional health over attending the ceremony.