First Lady Apologizes for Calling Protesters "Dirty Bitches": "I Am Not a Restrained Woman"

Brigitte Macron, Wife of French President Macron
Controversy Over Calling Female Protesters at Performance "Dirty Bitches"
"Says She Is Not Always Living Only as the President's Wife"

Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been embroiled in a controversy over alleged profanity, confessed, "I am not a restrained woman." According to Yonhap News, in an interview with France's TF1 broadcast on the 4th (local time), Brigitte Macron said, "I sincerely apologize to the women who were hurt or offended by my remarks," adding, "It is clear that my choice of words was inappropriate."

Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been embroiled in a controversy over offensive language, apologized for her remarks and confessed, "I am not a restrained woman." Photo by AP Yonhap News

Brigitte Macron said, "I know I shouldn't, but sometimes I forget my status. I am not always living as the president's wife," and confessed, "Sometimes 'Brigitte' comes out, and Brigitte is not a restrained person. I am a woman who gets excited easily."

Earlier last month, Brigitte Macron sparked controversy when she referred to female activists who disrupted the performance of a male comedian previously accused of sexual misconduct as "dirty bitches." Although the comment was made in a private conversation with the comedian, the profanity was caught on video and spread on social media, triggering strong backlash from political circles and women's organizations. At the time, Brigitte Macron explained, "If I hurt female victims, I am sorry. I care only about them," and added, "Although I am the president's wife, above all, I am myself. In private, I may let myself go in ways that are not appropriate."

She also stated, "I cannot tolerate performances being disrupted. Someone is on stage giving their all," and added, "What is the point of imposing such censorship on artists? I cannot understand this. We are not judges," expressing her convictions. However, this so-called 'lukewarm apology' led to even greater criticism of Brigitte Macron.

The Macron couple was also embroiled in rumors of marital discord last year. In May last year, as President Macron arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam during a Southeast Asia tour, just before disembarking from the presidential plane, two hands in a red top appeared near his face. Brigitte Macron disembarked next, wearing the same red clothing seen when President Macron's face was pushed. While descending the stairs of the plane, President Macron extended his arm toward Brigitte Macron as if asking her to take it, but Brigitte Macron ignored him and held onto the railing instead. As a result, President Macron was mocked as a "husband who gets hit," and as the controversy grew, he explained, "I was just playing around with my wife."