The relationship between Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, arguably the two biggest female influences on Barack Obama's presidency, has reached breaking point, according to a controversial new book.

According to a new book, The Amateur, written by Edward Klein, the former editor of the New York Times Magazine, the First Lady has been portrayed as jealous of the access and influence the talk show host had over her husband. It also suggests Michelle criticised US chat show queen Oprah's weight, saying she ‘hates fat people’.

The explosive claims are likely to feed Michelle's image as an ‘angry black woman’, a label she herself dismissed earlier this year.

They could also reopen questions about the Obama's marriage of 20 years as in the past they reportedly rowed a lot and came close to splitting up, according to the Daily Mail.

The book also claims that Michelle's ‘obsessive’ behaviour is the talk of the White House.

The book also quotes Winfrey as saying that "Michelle is very jealous, I would say unusually so. Most people after years of marriage have trust and don’t follow their husbands around and check on them.Michelle doesn’t seem to trust Barack at all. She insists on knowing his every movement and drops in on him at all kinds of odd times."

According to The Daily Mail, Michelle makes it clear to her inner circle that she wants women around Obama watched and wants info about who he has an eye for and gets touchy with.