Controversial marriage of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron explored after 'the slap'

Emmanuel Macron’s relationship with Brigitte Macron, his wife, has attracted significant attention due to a recent video where it was alleged that Brigitte had apparently slapped Macron in the face.

The French President has since denied the rumour, claiming it to be a playful gesture between the couple. But the incident and its aftermath does raise important questions regarding the nature of the relationship between the two, especially considering their significant age difference.

The French President was 15 years old when he met Brigitte, who was 24 years his senior and his teacher at the time.

Despite the controversy surrounding their relationship’s origins, the couple has remained together for decades, though their story continues to provoke discussion.

Brigitte, a literature and drama teacher at La Providence in Amiens, France, was married with three children when she first met the young Emmanuel. Their bond began while working together on a school play in the early 1990s.

The relationship, which initially appeared to be a teacher-student dynamic, raised concerns among other students who noticed the pair spending a significant amount of time together.

Rumours soon followed, and they were reportedly seen in public sharing a moment that some witnesses described as intimate.

Emmanuel’s parents were initially shocked by the developing relationship and assumed he was romantically involved with Brigitte’s daughter, who was in the same class.

Upon realising the nature of the relationship, they attempted to intervene by sending Emmanuel to an elite boarding school in Paris, hoping the distance would help him move on.

However, Emmanuel continued to maintain contact with Brigitte, and he expressed his intention to marry her despite the age gap and social scrutiny.

Brigitte, who was also facing considerable public attention, chose to stay in her marriage at the time, prioritising the stability of her family.

However, after several years, she divorced her husband in 2006. One year later, Brigitte, then 54, and Emmanuel, 29, married.

Their union drew attention not only for the age gap but also for the teacher-student background, which led to further public scrutiny.

Over time, their relationship evolved, and the couple navigated both personal and public challenges.

Emmanuel Macron’s political career progressed, and in 2017, he became the youngest President in French history at 39, the same age Brigitte had been when they first met.

During his election victory speech, Macron acknowledged her role in his life, saying, “Without her, I wouldn’t be me.”

In 2022, Brigitte was by Emmanuel’s side when he was re-elected as President. By then, their relationship had become widely recognised, though it still sparked occasional debates.

Emmanuel stepped into the role of stepfather to Brigitte’s children, and today, at 47, he is also a step-grandfather to her grandchildren.

In the wake of the slapping controversy, many took to X (formerly Twitter) to debate the unconventional nature of their relationship.