Here’s why Barack Obama is jetting off to an island by himself

We couldn’t have predicted that one…

barack obama island

We couldn’t have predicted that one…

Barack Obama is reportedly taking himself off to an Island for a very important (and unexpected) reason.

Since his eight-year presidency ended in January, Obama has been making the most of his air miles, enjoying some well-deserved down time abroad, whether that’s in Hawaii, Palm Springs or the Caribbean.

In fact, the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration, Barack and Michelle jetted off to the British Virgin Islands to unwind with Sir Richard Branson.

Unlike his last jaunt, however, Michelle won’t be coming with him, and the former president won’t be spending his time learning to kitesurf and foilboard with Richard Branson.

Barack Obama holiday

Jack Brockway/ Virgin.com

He is instead heading off to the island of Tetiaroa, French Polynesia, in the South Pacific (yes the one that Marlon Brando used to own) to write his much-anticipated White House memoir.

It was announced last month that both the former president and First Lady have landed an immense book deal with Simon & Schuster, with the Financial Times reporting the deal to be as much as $65 million for separate books.

While Obama will reportedly be using the French Polynesian island as his writing hideout, Michelle is apparently planning on writing hers from Washington, D.C.

We were wondering about Obama's post-presidency job and what Michelle would be doing next, so now we know. We just can’t wait to read them.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.