Paris Match Interview Mentions Marriage Process
25-Year Age Gap and Child's Classmate Friend Also Discussed
Brigitte Macron (70), wife of French President Emmanuel Macron (45), confessed that she delayed her marriage to President Macron for 10 years out of concern that the lives of her three children, including her eldest daughter who was a friend of Macron, would be ruined. It is unusual for Brigitte to speak about her marriage process and family life with President Macron.
According to the British daily The Times on the 17th (local time), Brigitte recently talked about her marriage process with President Macron in an interview with Paris Match. When Macron was 15 years old and attending a private school in Amiens, France, he fell in love with Brigitte, a 40-year-old married woman who was his drama teacher at the time. Brigitte’s daughter, Laurence, was also a classmate of Macron.
The romance between the two, a married teacher and a student with a 25-year age gap, caused a scandal, and Macron’s parents sent him to study in Paris. Brigitte recalled the situation, saying, "My mind was a mess," and "Such a young boy was uncontrollable for me. Emmanuel had to leave for Paris." She added, "I told myself that Emmanuel would fall in love with someone his own age," she recalled. However, Macron continued to pursue Brigitte even after moving to Paris.
Brigitte said the only obstacle to their marriage was the children. She said, "We took time so as not to ruin the children’s lives. That time lasted for 10 years, which was the time to get the children back on a normal track," adding, "You can imagine what the children might have heard, but I did not want to miss out on my life."
Brigitte had three children with her ex-husband, banker Andr?-Louis Auzi?re. The eldest son is 48 years old, three years older than President Macron, and the two daughters are 46 and 39 years old, respectively.
Brigitte eventually divorced Auzi?re in 2006 and married the young civil servant Macron the following year. Auzi?re lived in seclusion for a long time and passed away in December 2019.
"Macron Still Attractive... No One Has Such Intellectual Ability"
Brigitte said she is still dazzled by President Macron’s charm, adding, "There is not a single day when he does not surprise me." She also praised him, saying, "I have had many outstanding students, but I have never seen anyone with such memory and intellectual ability." Brigitte also revealed that she has always respected President Macron.
Brigitte also shared her experience welcoming state guests from around the world as First Lady.
On September 20th, King Charles III and the Queen Consort of the United Kingdom made a state visit to France. [Photo by AP Yonhap News]
Recalling when King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Queen Camilla made a state visit to France last September, she admitted she was "very worried" at first. However, after greeting Queen Camilla with a cheek kiss upon arrival at the Arc de Triomphe, her tension eased somewhat. Brigitte praised King Charles III as "very dignified, cultured, and pleasant," and recalled that both the king and queen were thoughtful during the visit.
Brigitte also said she found Melania Trump, wife of former U.S. President Donald Trump, to be very kind. Melania visited the ?lys?e Palace with Donald Trump in 2017. Brigitte added, "But Melania kept a tight hold on her husband," explaining, "During the dinner, when she tapped her watch, President Trump understood it was time to get up and leave. Melania is a strong-willed person."
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