Brigitte Macron Discusses Controversial Relationship with French President in Rare Interview

The First Lady waited a decade to marry Emmanuel Macron, citing concerns for her children who were around his age.

Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, has opened up about their controversial relationship in a rare interview with Paris Match. The couple first met when Emmanuel was 15 and Brigitte was his 40-year-old drama teacher.
Brigitte revealed that she waited a decade to marry Emmanuel to avoid ruining the lives of her children, who were around his age. She expressed her initial anxiety and confusion, stating that she thought Emmanuel would 'fall in love with someone his [own] age' after his family sent him to a Paris boarding school.
Despite the significant age gap and societal scrutiny, the couple eventually married in 2007 when Emmanuel was 29. At their wedding reception, Emmanuel thanked his three stepchildren for accepting their 'not-quite-normal couple.'
Emmanuel Macron became France's youngest-ever president in 2017 at the age of 39, roughly the same age Brigitte was when they first met.
In 2021, France officially set 15 as its age of consent. The age difference between the Macrons has remained a hot topic, with Brigitte admitting to significant anxiety over the age difference in the early days of their relationship.