Former President Barack Obama's recent dinner outing in New York City sparks new discussions about his marriage with Michelle Obama.

According to Daily Mail, the 63-year-old former president was seen dining with his sister Auma at the exclusive ZZ Club in Hudson Yards on Friday night, marking another public appearance without his wife Michelle amid growing separation rumors.

The dinner comes as both Obamas have been increasingly seen in separate social engagements, with Michelle frequently spotted alongside her brother Craig Robinson, particularly since the launch of their new podcast venture.

Obama siblings maintain public presence amid rumors

The former president chose the prestigious ZZ Club, known for its private Japanese restaurant and exclusive Carbone location, for the evening out with his sister Auma. The siblings, who share a father, were photographed leaving the establishment with Barack dressed in an all-black suit.

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama has been focusing on her new podcast project, "IMO (In My Opinion) with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson," launched in March. The former first lady and her brother have been making numerous public appearances together to promote their collaboration.

The couple's separate public engagements have fueled speculation about their relationship status, particularly after Michelle's absence from significant events like former President Jimmy Carter's funeral and President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Michelle Obama addresses public speculation

During an appearance on Sophia Bush's podcast "Work in Progress," Michelle Obama addressed the growing rumors about her marriage. She offered her perspective on the public's reaction to her recent absences from high-profile events:

That's the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people. 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. That this couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?

Her team attributed her absence from Carter's funeral to pre-planned holiday commitments in Hawaii, though this explanation did little to quell public speculation about the couple's relationship.

Social media presence maintains united front

Despite the separation rumors, both Barack and Michelle Obama have maintained an active presence on social media, sharing affectionate messages about their relationship. Barack posted a Valentine's Day tribute to Michelle, commemorating their 32 years together with a heartfelt message.

The couple has consistently used social media to showcase their relationship, with Barack recently celebrating Michelle's 61st birthday by calling her the "love of his life" and praising her ability to fill rooms with "warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace."

Their last public appearance together was documented in December at Mother Wolf, a Los Angeles restaurant. However, subsequent months have seen them primarily attending events separately.

The story behind growing public interest

The Obamas' relationship status has captured public attention following a series of separate public appearances and Michelle's notable absences from significant political events. Barack Obama's dinner with his sister Auma at the exclusive ZZ Club represents another instance of the couple's increasingly independent social calendars.

While Michelle Obama has directly addressed the speculation through her podcast appearance and social media posts, the couple continues to maintain their individual schedules. Their situation reflects the complex nature of public scrutiny faced by high-profile couples, particularly as they navigate their post-White House lives and pursue separate professional endeavors.