The Obamas living the high life .
Fabulous holidays, gorgeous new home and making plans for the future – Barack and Michelle Obama are having a ball
YACHTING with Oprah Winfrey in French Polynesia, kitesurfing with Richard Branson in the Caribbean, lunching with Bono in New York, golfing in Hawaii and cycling in Italy . . . these days Barack Obama’s life seems to be one long holiday. But can you hold it against him? If anyone deserves a break it’s America’s former president. Just imagine what a relief it must have been after eight years in the hot seat to be able to hand over the nuclear codes and other responsibilities to someone else and head into the sunset.
And with famous friends falling over themselves to lend Barack (55) and his wife, Michelle (53), their mansions, yachts, jets and island retreats, his holiday opportunities have been endless. Compiled by JANE VORSTER After months of fun in the sun it looks as if the weight of the world has been lifted off his shoulders.
“He no longer has that mortal power in his hands or the grave responsibilities. And for a guy who took those very seriously that’s a liberating thing,” friend David Axelrod says.
Although it might look as if Barack is choosing to remain on permanent holiday now that President Donald Trump is running the show, there’s plenty going on in the background.
In between exotic getaways he’s been delivering speeches, hobnobbing with world leaders, starting work on his hotly anticipated new memoir and making ambitious plans for the next phase of his career. So don’t write him off as a beach bum!
Here’s a look at the Obamas’ life outside the White House bubble. The former president looked superrelaxed after a long, lazy lunch with Michelle and friends during a visit to Italy in May.