former president obama Wishing his wife Michelle Obama a happy birthday on Friday, he called her “the love of my life.”

The former first lady is 61 but has largely avoided public appearances in recent weeks. She will not attend President-elect Trump’s inauguration on Monday and did not appear at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week.

In honor of her birthday, the former president paid tribute to his wife on Instagram, writing: “You filled every room with warmth, wisdom, humor and grace, and you seemed to do a great job. I’m so Lucky to experience life’s adventures with you!”

Michelle Obama skips Trump inauguration to avoid ‘pretend for deal’s sake’: report

On August 20, 2024, on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, the United States, former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama hugged her husband and former U.S. President Obama on stage. Barack Obama. (Reuters/Mike Black)

Michelle later shared the post on

According to the source near michelle The former first lady plans to skip Trump’s inauguration because she can’t contain her disdain for the Republican president-elect, she told PEOPLE.

Michelle Obama will skip Trump’s inauguration 11 days after skipping Carter’s funeral

Obama speaks before Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris arrives at a campaign rally at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on October 26, 2024. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The former first lady repeatedly attacked Trump on Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign trail and in speeches. Democratic National Convention August. In a speech at the Democratic National Committee, she accused Trump of spreading “racist lies” and opposing her husband’s political career because of his race.

Although she has often been chosen as the Democratic presidential candidate, sources stress that the former first lady also has no interest in becoming a public figure now that her public service has ended.

Jennifer Aniston responds to tabloids linking her romantically to Barack Obama

Actress Jennifer Aniston and former President Barack Obama. (Michael Buckner/Variety/Michelle Gustafson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

While she will not attend Trump’s inauguration, the former president plans to attend the Jan. 20 inauguration with former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and their spouses.

Jennifer Aniston responds to tabloids linking her romantically to Barack Obama

Late last year, unsubstantiated rumors spread that the Obamas’ marriage was on the rocks and that Barack Obama was romantically involved with actress Jennifer Aniston.

Aniston flatly denied the rumors, telling late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, “It’s absolutely untrue… I know Michelle better than he does.”

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When reached for comment at the time, an Obama representative told Fox News Digital: “Stop it.”

Fox News Digital’s Kristine Parks and Caroline Thayer contributed to this report.