Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron’s messy romance: she was his teacher when he was 15 years old
The French First Lady fell in love with the President of the Republic when he was her drama student — something that has brought them many problems.
In 1993, a young Emmanuel Macron, future President of France, was 15 years old and studying drama at a Jesuit school in Amiens. His teacher was Brigitte Trogneux, a 40-year-old woman married to banker André-Louis Auzière and mother of three children, one of whom was in Macron’s class.
Macron’s intelligence attracted Brigitte. It didn’t take long for an emotional bond to form that later turned romantic. Since 15 was the minimum age of consent, the scandal around their relationship remained mostly ethical, raising concern among school officials, parents, and classmates.
Macron’s parents disapproved of the romance and moved him to Paris to keep him away from her. But the plan failed. Brigitte separated from her husband and accepted that her future was with Macron. From Paris, he kept the relationship alive through letters.
In 2007, they finally got married, although they say they would have done so much earlier if circumstances had allowed it. “I took the time I needed so as not to ruin my children’s lives... but I didn’t want to miss out on my life,” Brigitte said in an interview with Paris Match.
Since then, they’ve built a happy family, with even her children becoming involved. During a campaign event, Brigitte’s youngest daughter recalled that Emmanuel “asked us for her hand.” “She was the brave one, she gave up everything for me. She loved me not for what I had, but for who I was,” Macron wrote in Révolution, his book.
Their relationship is back in the spotlight after a video seemingly showed Brigitte slapping Macron as they got off a plane in Vietnam. Though the footage appears clear, Macron denied it: “We were joking, as we often do,” he said in his first public appearance after the viral moment.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment