Barack Obama reflects on his marriage with Michelle

Barack and Michelle Obama’s relationship has often been viewed as the epitome of romance.

However, while speaking with CBS’ Nate Burleson, the former U.S. president reminded audiences that marriage is hard work.

Michelle on her marriage

Last year, Michelle gave an interview in which she stated that there were times when “she couldn’t stand” her husband.

“People think I’m being catty by saying this — it’s like, there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband,” Michelle said at the time. “And guess when it happened? When those kids were little.”

“And for 10 years while we’re trying to build our careers and, you know, worrying about school and who’s doing what and what, I was like, ‘Ugh, this isn’t even.’ And guess what? Marriage isn’t 50/50, ever, ever.

“There are times I’m 70, he’s 30. There are times he’s 60, 40, but guess what? Ten years — we’ve been married 30. I would take 10 bad years over 30 — it’s just how you look at it,” she added. “And people give up ... ‘Five years; I can’t take it.’”

Barack on his marriage

When asked about this interview, Barack stated that he and Michelle are working on strengthening their relationship.

“Let me just say this: it sure helps to be out of the White House. And to have a little more time with her,” he said.

“Michelle — when our girls were growing up, that was priority number one, two, three and four. And so, I did not fully appreciate, I think, as engaged of a father as I was, the degree of stress and tension for her, knowing that not just me and Michelle were under scrutiny and in this strange environment, but that we were raising our daughters in a kind of situation that just wasn’t normal.

“Now that they’re doing good, she is a little more forgiving of all my flaws. What she’s told me is, you know, ‘Looking back, you did okay as a dad.’ And if I passed that test, then she’ll forgive me most of my other foibles,” Barack concluded.