From student and teacher to president and first lady — Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron’s relationship has defied expectations. These images trace the evolution of their story from early controversy to life in the public eye.
The Beginning
Emmanuel was just 15 when he met Brigitte, his drama teacher at a Catholic school in Amiens, France. She was married with three children and directed a school play that he helped adapt. Their creative bond soon deepened, sparking whispers that would follow them for decades.
Despite their growing connection, Brigitte tried to draw boundaries. Still, she admitted that she didn’t understand why she so eagerly awaited their Friday night writing sessions.
Brigitte eventually pushed Emmanuel to leave Amiens and finish school in Paris, hoping the distance would cool things off. But it didn’t. Already showing remarkable maturity, he stayed emotionally committed and kept in touch through letters.
By the time Emmanuel was 17, he was in a relationship with Brigitte, who was still married and raising her family. His parents strongly objected and even sent him away in hopes of ending it. But he vowed he would marry her one day.
Brigitte initially resisted the idea of marriage. She confided in a friend, saying she feared the 25-year age gap and that Emmanuel might want children of his own. But her friend encouraged her to follow her heart.
Over the years, the unlikely couple gradually won over both their families. Brigitte divorced in 2006, and a year later, she and Emmanuel tied the knot. At the time, he was 29 and she was 54.
Across decades of scrutiny and public life, Emmanuel Macron and his wife’s relationship has remained a constant presence in French politics. From a controversial beginning to the halls of the Élysée, their story continues to unfold, documented in images that reflect both personal history and political success.