Brigitte Macron stands as one of the most recognisable figures in European politics today. As France’s First Lady since May 2017, the 72-year-old former teacher has carved out a distinctive role that extends far beyond ceremonial duties. Her presence alongside President Emmanuel Macron has become integral to France’s diplomatic efforts, particularly in strengthening post-Brexit relations with the United Kingdom.
Recent months have thrust Brigitte Macron into the spotlight for reasons both diplomatic and deeply personal. From her prominent role during the historic July 2025 state visit to Britain to her ongoing legal battle against a far-right American influencer, France’s First Lady continues to demonstrate resilience whilst maintaining her commitment to public service.
The Historic UK State Visit
A Symbol of Franco-British Unity
Between 8 and 10 July 2025, Brigitte Macron accompanied her husband on a landmark state visit to the United Kingdom. This marked the first state visit by a European Union leader since Brexit, underscoring the significance of the diplomatic mission. King Charles III and Queen Camilla extended the invitation, hosting the French couple at Windsor Castle with all the ceremonial grandeur Britain could offer.
The visit served multiple purposes beyond pageantry. It represented a deliberate effort by the UK Labour government to reset relations with France after years of Brexit-related tensions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the Macrons at 10 Downing Street, where substantive discussions covered migration, Ukraine, and economic cooperation.
Royal Reception and Cultural Exchange
King Charles greeted Brigitte Macron with warmth, even offering a kiss as the French presidential couple arrived at Windsor. The state banquet at Windsor Castle saw approximately 160 guests, including British cultural icons Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John. Guests enjoyed summer vegetables, chicken with asparagus, and iced blackcurrant parfait, accompanied by champagne and a gin-infused cocktail aptly named L’entente.
Brigitte Macron participated in several significant events during the three-day visit. She laid a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St George’s Chapel and visited the British Museum for a cultural event. President Macron announced the exceptional loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the United Kingdom, with Britain reciprocating by loaning the Sutton Hoo treasures to France.
The visit demonstrated the personal chemistry between the two nations’ leaders. For more insights into international sporting relations, one might explore the Scotland national football team games, which similarly showcase cross-border connections.
Fighting Defamation: A Personal Battle
The Candace Owens Lawsuit
Perhaps the most distressing chapter in Brigitte Macron’s recent public life involves her legal battle against American far-right influencer Candace Owens. In July 2025, the Macrons filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware state court, accusing Owens of conducting a “relentless and unjustified smear campaign”. The controversy centres on Owens’s repeated false claims that Brigitte Macron was assigned male at birth.
Tom Clare, the Macrons’ attorney, revealed in an interview with the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast that the couple would present “photographic and scientific evidence” to prove these allegations false. The lawyer described the claims as “incredibly upsetting” for Mrs Macron and a “distraction” for the French president.
Escalating Claims and Legal Response
Owens launched an eight-part podcast series spreading these baseless conspiracy theories, even suggesting that Brigitte Macron participated in the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment under a different name. These claims, described in legal documents as “outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions,” have subjected the Macrons to global humiliation.
Following the initial lawsuit, Owens intensified her campaign. She began selling merchandise mocking the Macrons and soliciting donations based on her “reporting”. This prompted the Macrons to file a renewed 250-page complaint in September 2025, documenting Owens’s continued defamatory statements.
The conspiracy theories targeting Brigitte Macron belong to a disturbing pattern of “transvestigations” that have also targeted prominent women including former First Lady Michelle Obama and pop star Taylor Swift. These campaigns weave anti-trans rhetoric into broader far-right conspiracy theories that proliferate across social media platforms.
Previous Legal Victories in France
This is not Brigitte Macron’s first encounter with such defamation. The false claims originated in 2021 on a YouTube channel dedicated to clairvoyance, where two women spread the hoax. Brigitte Macron successfully sued them in France, winning the initial case. However, a Parisian appeals court overturned that ruling in 2025, acquitting the defendants on freedom of expression grounds.
From Teacher to First Lady
Educational Background and Career
Born Brigitte Marie-Claude Trogneux on 13 April 1953 in Amiens, France, Brigitte Macron comes from a family of chocolate manufacturers. She attended Catholic schools, graduated with distinction, and earned both a secondary school teaching qualification in French language and literature and a Master of Arts degree.
Her teaching career began in Paris before moving to positions in Strasbourg and Amiens. At Collège Lucie Berger in Strasbourg, she taught literature in the 1980s. She later taught French and Latin at Lycée La Providence in Amiens, where a fateful meeting would change her life.
The Unconventional Love Story
In 1993, whilst teaching at Lycée La Providence, the then 40-year-old Brigitte met 15-year-old Emmanuel Macron, a student in her daughter’s class. They collaborated on a school play, where their connection developed. At the time, Brigitte was married with three children.
The relationship faced significant scrutiny due to their 25-year age gap and the circumstances of their meeting. Emmanuel Macron reportedly told Brigitte he would marry her one day, a promise that materialised in 2007 after she divorced her first husband. “In the end, love was more important than anything, and I ended up getting a divorce,” Brigitte later explained.
Brigitte’s final teaching position was at the elite Lycée Saint-Louis de Gonzague in Paris, where she worked until retiring in 2015 to support her husband’s political ambitions.
Her Role as First Lady
Defining an Unofficial Position
When Emmanuel Macron became president in May 2017, questions arose about Brigitte’s official status. A petition signed by more than 316,000 people opposed creating an official “first lady” title, with critics citing concerns about nepotism. The Élysée Palace responded by publishing a “transparency charter” defining her duties without conferring an official title.
The charter represented an innovation, as no previous French presidency had stated the spouse’s role so clearly. Brigitte Macron would focus on civil society issues including disabled people, education, children, women’s issues, health, and gender equality. Her activities are funded from the president’s budget rather than receiving separate state funding.
Influence and Advocacy
Despite holding no official government position, Brigitte Macron wields considerable influence within the Élysée Palace. She played an active role in her husband’s 2017 presidential campaign, with advisers describing her presence as “essential for him”. Following his victory, President Macron stated that his wife “will have the role that she always had with me, she will not be hidden”.
Brigitte has not shied away from political commentary, sometimes courting controversy. In early 2023, she spoke out championing school uniforms and claiming to represent a “silent majority”. She told L’Obs magazine: “I hear shopkeepers, people in the street,” positioning herself as a voice for ordinary French citizens.
Opposition politicians questioned her legitimacy to intervene in policy debates. “She looks like a vice president. No, that’s not her role. She was not elected democratically,” tweeted Clementine Autain, an MP with La France Insoumise. Nevertheless, Brigitte’s entourage defended her right to express opinions, arguing that many unelected individuals appear on television.
Drawing on her decades of teaching experience, Brigitte has advocated for traditional educational methods. She condemned inclusive language around pronouns and defended dictation exercises in schools. Her support causes also include protecting children from online and in-school bullying, and training unemployed young adults through the LIVE project.
A Fashion Icon on the World Stage
Paris Fashion Week Appearances
Brigitte Macron has established herself as a prominent figure at Paris Fashion Week, using fashion as a form of soft diplomatic power. In October 2025, she attended multiple haute couture presentations, including Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton shows.
At the Dior Spring/Summer 2026 show on 1 October 2025, Brigitte wore a total look estimated at nearly €8,000. The ensemble included a Christian Dior suit valued at approximately €3,000 and a special edition Lady Dior bag reinvented by Jonathan Anderson, worth close to €5,000. This preview piece will not become available until January 2026, demonstrating Brigitte’s access to exclusive haute couture.
Her appearance at the Louis Vuitton presentation showcased her contemporary style sensibility. She wore a dark jacket featuring metallic silver geometric accents on the front placket, paired with tailored trousers and a black blouse. She accessorised with cocktail rings and a small metallic handbag, seated alongside Canadian actress Hène Merc-Arn in the front row.
Diplomatic Fashion Choices
During the July 2025 UK state visit, Brigitte demonstrated thoughtful fashion diplomacy. She wore a custom royal blue cape gown from Louis Vuitton, which, combined with Kate Middleton’s red Givenchy dress and Queen Camilla’s white Fiona Clare gown, symbolically represented both the French flag and the Union Jack.
Her fashion choices have sparked debate in France, where the government frequently discusses fiscal sobriety. Critics question whether such expensive haute couture aligns with official messaging about economic restraint. However, supporters argue that her presence at fashion shows supports France’s crucial luxury goods industry and projects French cultural influence internationally.
Similar to how international sporting events unite nations, as seen in F1 2019 standings coverage, fashion diplomacy serves as another avenue for cultural exchange.
Personal Life and Family
Blended Family Dynamics
Brigitte Macron has three children from her first marriage to André-Louis Auzière: Sébastien (born 1975), Laurence (born 1977), and Tiphaine (born 1984). She is also a grandmother, frequently photographed enjoying time with her grandchildren.
The Macron family maintains a relatively private personal life despite intense public scrutiny. In summer 2025, Brigitte and Emmanuel were spotted on a family holiday in the South of France, accompanied by her grandchildren. They were photographed riding jet skis and enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine.
The Aeroplane Incident
In May 2025, the Macrons faced unwanted attention following an incident captured on camera. Video footage showed Brigitte appearing to shove her hand in Emmanuel’s face as they boarded an aircraft, with the moment visible through the plane’s open door.
The incident sparked widespread speculation about tensions in their relationship. However, President Macron quickly addressed the controversy, describing it as “joking around” with his wife. His office issued a statement clarifying: “It was a moment where the president and his wife were decompressing one last time before the start of the trip by horsing around. It’s a moment of complicity”.
The presidency’s statement continued: “It was all that was needed to give ammunition to the conspiracy theorists”. Despite media frenzy, the couple remained united, demonstrating their resilience against public scrutiny.
Navigating Political Turbulence
France’s Governmental Crisis
Throughout 2025, Emmanuel Macron’s presidency has faced significant challenges, with Brigitte providing steady support. In October 2025, France’s political climate grew increasingly complex when Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned from his post. President Macron gave the government two days to find a solution to avoid plunging the nation into elections.
During these turbulent times, the French president has been “leaning on his wife, Brigitte Macron, for support, with the two maintaining a committed marriage for the past two decades”. Tom Clare, the Macrons’ attorney, acknowledged that attacks on Brigitte affect the president: “When balancing a career and family, attacks on your family can take a toll. And he is not immune to that just because he holds the office of president”.
Criticism from Former Allies
President Macron has faced unexpected criticism from within his own political circle. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, once Macron’s protégé, emerged as a notable critic. Elisabeth Borne, who served as prime minister from May 2022 until January 2024, proposed suspending the contentious pension reform as a potential solution to the political deadlock.
The pension reform, which raised the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, remains fiercely debated despite its enactment two years ago. Both leftist and far-right factions continue advocating for its modification or outright repeal. Reversing this emblematic reform would carry significant symbolic weight for Macron’s legacy.
Throughout these challenges, Brigitte has maintained her public engagements whilst providing private counsel to her husband. Her role as an unofficial adviser has been described by Le Monde as the “Madame Wing,” highlighting her influence as the Élysée’s unofficial HR director.
International Sporting and Cultural Connections
For more UK football culture and fan insights, explore these related reads: The Dutch GP 2025 Piastri wins Norris retires showcases international sporting drama, whilst Cameroon national football team coverage highlights global football connections. Similarly, Boise State football and Eintracht Frankfurt standings demonstrate how sporting events unite international audiences. These cultural exchanges parallel the diplomatic work undertaken by figures like Brigitte Macron in strengthening international relationships.
For those interested in transfer developments, Manchester United transfer news today January 2026 provides current updates on one of football’s most followed clubs.
Public Perception and Media Coverage
British Media Reception
British media coverage of Brigitte Macron during the July 2025 state visit was largely positive. Outlets like the BBC and The Independent highlighted her grace and diplomatic contributions. The visit represented a significant warming of relations compared to 2022, when then-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss questioned whether Macron was “a friend or a foe”.
The ceremonial aspects of the visit received extensive coverage, with particular attention paid to the interactions between the Royal Family and the French presidential couple. British viewers witnessed the full force of British ceremonial charm deployed to honour France’s First Lady and her husband.
French Public Opinion
In France, public opinion about Brigitte Macron remains divided. Supporters appreciate her advocacy work and view her as a modernising force who brings authenticity to the role. Critics question whether she oversteps boundaries appropriate for an unelected spouse, particularly when she comments on policy matters.
Her fashion choices generate regular debate about appropriateness and public spending. Whilst some view her haute couture appearances as supporting French industry, others perceive them as tone-deaf during periods of economic difficulty.
The controversy surrounding her relationship’s origins continues to surface periodically, though many French citizens have accepted the unconventional love story. After nearly two decades of marriage and eight years as First Lady, Brigitte has established her own identity beyond the circumstances of how she met her husband.
Legacy and Future Outlook
Redefining the Role
Brigitte Macron has fundamentally redefined what it means to be the spouse of a French president. Unlike many of her predecessors who maintained low profiles, she has embraced public engagement whilst carefully navigating the constraints of her unofficial position. The transparency charter established in 2017 created a framework that future presidential spouses may reference.
Her focus on education, disability rights, and youth employment reflects her background as a teacher and her genuine commitment to social issues. These causes align with priorities outlined in Emmanuel Macron’s original presidential manifesto, demonstrating policy coherence between the couple.
Confronting Modern Challenges
The defamation case against Candace Owens represents a new frontier in protecting public figures from online harassment and conspiracy theories. Brigitte’s willingness to pursue legal action in American courts demonstrates her determination to combat misinformation, even at considerable personal cost.
Tom Clare, her attorney, emphasised the emotional toll: “It is profoundly upsetting to consider that one must go through this process to provide such proof. This is a procedure she will have to endure publicly”. Yet Brigitte remains “determined to do whatever is necessary to rectify the situation”.
The case has broader implications for how democracies address the spread of false information about public figures. As social media platforms enable conspiracy theories to reach millions, Brigitte’s legal battle may establish important precedents for protecting individuals from defamatory campaigns.
Strengthening Franco-British Relations
The July 2025 state visit represented a high point in Brigitte’s diplomatic contributions. Her participation helped cement improved relations between France and the United Kingdom at a crucial juncture. President Macron’s call for Europe to strengthen its economy and defences whilst reducing dependence on the United States and China resonated partly because of the personal rapport established during the visit.
King Charles’s welcoming remarks emphasised that the UK and France must stand united facing a “multitude of complex threats”. This message of solidarity was reinforced through every aspect of the state visit, including the cultural exchanges and personal connections forged between the two nations’ representatives.
Continuing Influence
As France navigates political turbulence in late 2025, Brigitte Macron’s role as confidante and adviser to the president remains crucial. Her experience, perspective, and emotional support help Emmanuel Macron weather criticism from former allies and opposition politicians alike.
Her public engagements continue unabated. Recent appearances at Paris Fashion Week demonstrate her ongoing commitment to representing France’s cultural industries. Her advocacy work for educational causes and vulnerable populations remains active.
Looking ahead, Brigitte Macron will likely continue balancing her public duties with the demands of supporting her husband through France’s complex political landscape. Her legal battle against defamation will proceed through American courts, potentially setting important precedents. Meanwhile, her diplomatic contributions will remain valuable as France seeks to maintain strong relationships with allies like the United Kingdom.
FAQ Section
Who is Brigitte Macron and what is her background?
Brigitte Macron, born Brigitte Marie-Claude Trogneux on 13 April 1953 in Amiens, France, is the First Lady of France since May 2017. She worked as a literature teacher for over 30 years, teaching French and Latin at various schools including Lycée La Providence in Amiens and Lycée Saint-Louis de Gonzague in Paris. She holds a Master of Arts degree and a secondary school teaching qualification in French language and literature. She retired from teaching in 2015 to support her husband Emmanuel Macron’s political career.
What is the controversy surrounding Brigitte Macron and Candace Owens?
In July 2025, the Macrons filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware state court against American far-right influencer Candace Owens. Owens repeatedly made false claims that Brigitte Macron was assigned male at birth and spread these conspiracy theories through an eight-part podcast series. The Macrons’ attorney stated they would present “photographic and scientific evidence” to disprove these allegations. In September 2025, the Macrons filed a renewed 250-page complaint after Owens continued and escalated her defamatory statements.
What role does Brigitte Macron play as France’s First Lady?
Brigitte Macron has no official “first lady” title due to public opposition, but operates under a transparency charter defining her duties. She focuses on civil society issues including disabled people, education, children, women’s issues, health, and gender equality. She played an active role in her husband’s 2017 presidential campaign and continues to serve as an influential adviser, with Le Monde describing her influence as the “Madame Wing” within the Élysée Palace. Her activities are funded from the president’s budget rather than receiving separate state funding.
What was significant about the Macrons’ July 2025 UK state visit?
The three-day state visit from 8 to 10 July 2025 was the first by a European Union leader since Brexit, symbolising improved Franco-British relations. King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the Macrons at Windsor Castle with full ceremonial grandeur, including a state banquet attended by 160 guests. During the visit, President Macron announced the exceptional loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain, with the UK reciprocating by loaning the Sutton Hoo treasures to France. The visit included meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss migration, Ukraine, and economic cooperation.
How did Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron meet?
Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron met in 1993 at Lycée La Providence in Amiens, where the then 40-year-old Brigitte was a literature teacher and 15-year-old Emmanuel was a student in her daughter’s class. They worked together on a school play and developed a connection. At the time, Brigitte was married with three children. The relationship faced scrutiny due to their 25-year age gap and the circumstances of their meeting. Emmanuel reportedly told Brigitte he would marry her one day, and they wed in 2007 after she divorced her first husband.
To Read More- Londoncity news