French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed a video of him being pushed within the face by his spouse as “nonsense”.
The clip, which reveals Brigitte Macron place her arms on her husband’s face as they put together to exit their airplane in Vietnam, sparked ideas that the French first couple had been caught in the course of an argument.
However Mr Macron mentioned afterwards it was a case of “simply joking with my wife, as we often do”.
The pair’s relationship has been within the headlines since Mr Macron’s political profession put him, and his family members, within the public eye.
Each have been questioned about their 25-year age hole – he’s 47 and he or she is 72 – in addition to their unconventional meet.
Use our slider under to look via among the key moments of the Macrons’ relationship.
When Emmanuel met Brigitte
Mr Macron met Brigitte Trogneux, as she was then recognized, in 1993 when he was 15.
On the time, she labored as a trainer at his secondary college within the French metropolis of Amiens. As a scholar, Mr Macron was not within the lessons his future spouse taught, however the pair hung out collectively whereas engaged on a college play and through theatre workshops she ran.
She was virtually 40, married to banker Andre Auziere and had three kids, Sebastien, Laurence, and Tiphaine.
Picture:
Emmanuel Macron’s college yearbook in 1992/93
In accordance with biographer Anne Fulda, who interviewed the Macron household, the French chief’s mother and father initially thought he had a crush on Laurence Auziere, who was in his class in school. However the truth is it was her mum.
Mr Macron’s mom, Francoise, is quoted in Ms Fulda’s e-book as saying: “We couldn’t believe it. What is clear is that when Emmanuel met Brigitte we couldn’t just say: ‘That’s great!'”
His mother and father additionally allegedly instructed Brigitte to keep away from their son till he was 18, to which she replied: “I cannot promise you anything.”
Years later, she would open up to a good friend that being with the younger French president was like “working with Mozart”.
Picture:
The pair in 2016, simply earlier than Mr Macron ran for president. Pic: Reuters
‘I’ll marry you’
Defying the orders from Mr Macron’s mother and father, the pair saved in contact, even after he was despatched to Paris to finish his schooling at one among France’s best faculties.
Now across the age of 17, Mr Macron instructed his future spouse: “I will be back for you. Whatever you do, I will marry you.”
Picture:
The couple in 2017. Pic: Reuters
In a 2017 interview with Elle France journal, Mrs Macron mentioned there was “nothing between” the 2 of them on the time he went to Paris, however it “all unfolded very slowly”.
She mentioned: “The great distances that separated us physically until 2007. But we wrote to each other all the time during that period.
“All of it unfolded very slowly. I step by step introduced my household to grasp that. Emmanuel step by step introduced his household to grasp that.”
She admitted at the time she was concerned for her children as “spiteful gossip” had been “making the rounds”.
Picture:
Mr Macron kisses his spouse throughout the handover ceremony simply after he grew to become president of France. Pic: Reuters
The couple finally bought married in 2007, a yr after she divorced Mr Auziere. On the time of their marriage ceremony, he was 29 and he or she was 54.
Life because the French first woman
Practically a decade after tying the knot, Mr Macron made a bid for the presidency, which he received in Might 2017.
From the second Mr Macron began campaigning in 2016, his spouse was with him on the election path, throughout which he mentioned he would “clarify” the position of the pinnacle of state’s partner.
Shortly after turning into the primary woman, Mrs Macron was requested in regards to the relationship together with her husband, and their age hole – which is similar as Donald and Melania Trump.
Picture:
Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte in 2017. Pic: Reuters
She instructed Elle France that the distinction of their ages is a “joke between” them, including: “Anything anyone might say about the 20 years’ difference is just a big nothing.”
She mentioned: “Of course, we have breakfast, me with my wrinkles, him with his fresh face, but that’s how it is. If I had not made that choice, I would have missed out on my life.”
Dispelling rumours
As a pair, Mr and Mrs Macron have needed to dispel varied rumours which have emerged about them each.
In 2017 Mr Macron laughed off rumours of a homosexual affair exterior his marriage, saying: “If you’re told I lead a double life… it’s because my hologram has escaped.”
Then in 2022, Mrs Macron launched authorized motion over the unfold of false claims that she was transgender.
In September 2024, she was awarded €8,000 (£6,000) in damages by a Paris courtroom after it discovered two ladies responsible of spreading the false allegations.
