Age of the new French president. Emmanuel and Bibi

While the opening ceremony of Eurovision 2017 was taking place in Kyiv on Sunday, May 7, France was electing a president. Two candidates reached the second round of elections: Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen.

According to preliminary data, Emmanuel Macron received more than 60% of the votes. He has already been congratulated by US President Donald Trump, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and current French President Francois Hollande.

There are legends about Emmanuel Macron, the French Ministry of Finance: he is handsome, smart, married, and most importantly, he has every chance of becoming the next President of the Republic. We talk about how the sexiest French politician won over his audience, why he babysits other people's grandchildren on weekends, and most importantly, why, having a whole fan club at his side, he still married his school teacher.

The French are passionate about all kinds of gossip, especially gossip on political level. Yes, the French are eager to talk.

But recently France was shocked new scandal, the main characters of which were Finance Minister Emmanuel Macron and his wife Bridget. Emmanuel Macron attracts public attention for several reasons. Firstly, the Frenchman became almost the youngest politician in the history of France recent years, who was able to rise to a high position: Emmanuel was only 36 when he took the place of Minister of Finance.

And secondly, he is incredibly handsome - tall, stately, smart and, unlike Hollande, incredibly charming. “He is young, handsome and talented,” the French media enthusiastically write about Macron, calling him either “an alien” or “ child prodigy." In short, the Ministry of Finance has that set of qualities that no self-respecting woman, no matter what age, can resist.

By the way, it’s all about age – the main reason for gossip was the difference with his wife (Bridget is almost a quarter of a century older than her husband) and Monsieur Macron’s unexpected desire to become the next president of the republic.

It must be said that the story of the marriage began a long time ago, it’s just that the Macron couple were in the shadows for some time, trying not to advertise the details of their personal life, and now Madame Macron unexpectedly decided to reveal the whole truth to the world. The French, of course, realized that such frankness was not without reason, but they still fell for the hook and have been selflessly discussing the strange couple for several weeks now. They discuss and... for the most part - admire.

They met more than 20 years ago in a small provincial town, when Macron was studying at a Christian religious school, and Trono was his teacher. He was 15, she was 35, he was a student at the lyceum, she was a teacher. However, even in France, free from all sorts of prejudices, hardly anyone would have liked such a plot, so for a long time the couple did not cross the cherished line. They first met one-on-one when Emmanuel was in high school. Then Brigitte and the future French Ministry of Finance were completely innocently staging a theatrical play, and, therefore, spent every evening together. Now, looking at Madame Macron, we can safely assume that in her youth she was very good, and what to hide - now Bridget is also in in great shape. Joint studies lasted for two years. Emmanuel followed his teacher like a tail, accompanied her home, which naturally did not please her husband too much, but there was no way to confuse the stubborn teenager.

On his 17th birthday, Emmanuel told Bridget: “No matter what you do, no matter how you dodge me, I will marry you.” Then the woman only laughed at the arrogant young man - in addition to her husband, with whom Bridget lived quite for a long time, the teacher had three more children. However, a few years later, the future Madame Macron divorced, unexpectedly, perhaps even for herself, and married Emmanuel in 2007, so the lovers have been happy together for almost ten years.

Agree, with such tenacity you can move mountains, what about Oland, who has lost popularity... While my husband is enthusiastically building his political career, Madame Macron has no desire for power at all and continues to do the same thing as before - she teaches at a religious school, albeit in Paris. The happy lovers do not have their own children, which is understandable - giving birth at Bridget’s age is risky, but Mr. Macron happily babysits his wife’s grandchildren and quite sincerely considers them his own too. With three children Bridget from his first marriage, Emmanuel also found mutual language- after all, they are the same age, so the whole family (with the exception of Madame Macron’s first husband, who was once abandoned) has a great time, constantly goes out into the countryside for picnics and is not at all embarrassed by some of their originality.

And when a certain young lady tried to take him away from Bridget, the Ministry of Finance pointedly sued her for harassment. “I love my wife,” he said then in front of journalists, and the entire female audience answered him “Ah!” It was then that it became obvious to others, including Hollande: Mr. Macron was aiming to become the next president of France.

Why not? The French are somewhat tired of politicians who seem to be more busy with their personal lives than with the country, but here it’s obvious an exemplary family man And toughie. And now he has his own party. In general, apparently, the charming and cunning Emmanuel Macron has every chance of winning the presidential elections.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi spoke about the new French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, who is much older than her husband.

He called the leader of the Fifth Republic “a good young man with an attractive mother,” reports News in the World. According to the politician, Macron’s wife Brigitte “led him by the hand when he was still a child.” As noted by the British publication The Telegraph, Berlusconi's words refer to the fact that the current 39-year-old French leader is the youngest head of state in the country's history after Napoleon Bonaparte. The latter became emperor at the age of 35.

Let us remind you that Brigitte Tronier is 24 years older than her husband. This fact caused a mixed reaction in the media, as well as among social network users.

As the French press noted earlier, it will be extremely difficult for the wife of the country’s new president to establish herself as the first lady.

At the same time, the satirical publication Charlie Hebdo, known for its scandalous works, recently published new caricature. This time the victims of the pranksters were the presidential couple. Thanks to the imagination of illustrators, the wife of the leader of France appeared pregnant on the cover. The picture shows the head of the Fifth Republic touching his wife's swollen belly. A little higher there is an inscription in French: “He is going to work miracles.”

Her daughter Tiphaine Ozier has already responded to such open ridicule and other attacks on Brigitte. She declared the inadmissibility of such attacks against the First Lady of France.

“I find disgusting attacks that would not be possible if it were a male politician or a male partner of a female politician. It’s just envy,” the girl said.

The newly-minted president himself believes that there is nothing strange in his alliance with Brigitte, and all attacks on this topic are a manifestation of double standards. “If I were 20 years older than my wife, no one would think about whether we were suitable for each other,” Macron said in an interview with the Telegraph newspaper.

In addition, he demolished the assumption that appeared during the election race that he was a homosexual, and his mature wife was a cover for his unconventional preferences.

“People have lost their sense of reality since they don’t believe in my marriage and attribute some kind of parallel life to me, plus they have problems with tolerance,” the French leader emphasized.

Whenever during an election race, the attention of the public and the media is focused not only on the candidates and the methods by which they go to victory or complete failure. Their wives become living targets for journalists, fashion experts and, of course, amateur critics. Therefore, the victory of Emmanuel Macron in the presidential elections in France brought glory and all the ensuing consequences to his wife Brigitte.

"Mrs. Robinson"

“The new First Lady of the Fifth Republic, Brigitte Tronier, is 25 years older than the elected President of France, Emmanuel Macron. She is 64 years old, she met her husband when he was 15” - these phrases can usually summarize any Western or Russian article about the wife of Emmanuel Macron. This is usually superimposed on various fantasies of the authors: Brigitte must be suffering from pedophilia; Emmanuel is rumored to prefer men. But most of all, journalists concentrate on the age difference and the fact that Emmanuel was a classmate of Brigitte’s daughter and her own student. This amuses Freudian complexes and vulgar pornographic fantasies, from which even Silvio Berlusconi does not abstain, calling Brigitte Macron “ beautiful mother"for the President of France. Concerning Russian media, then here too not a single article about the new president of the country can do without the formula 39/64, which frightens ordinary people.

There is a banal double standard here: grown men not only have the right, but actually have to date girls half their age, but if a woman over forty dates a 20-year-old man, then she is definitely a pedophile. It is often difficult to understand how men can like older and more experienced women. But how simple it is with Donald Trump, who has exactly the same age difference with his wife as Emannuel and Brigitte - only the other way around. Double standard Macron himself notes: “If I were 20 years older than my wife, no one would have thought to doubt that we could have an intimate relationship.”

At the same time, few people are interested in the first lady as a person. The wife of the head of state has always been an easy and convenient target for those who need to sublimate their frustration towards political system country or president. If a woman begins to publicly defend herself, she exposes herself in her own way to an even stronger blow of criticism. Articles that seek to defend Brigitte Macron from attack, as in the case of a recent analysis from GQ, go to the other extreme: her age becomes a fetish and a subject for objectification - she adult woman, and it's sexy. It all ends with quotes from the song “Mrs. Robinson" from the movie "The Graduate". At the same time, Macron himself not only does not hide his love for his wife, but also constantly tries to bring her out of his shadow. “Without her, I would not be who I am today. No one can replace her,” Emmanuel says in an interview with Bloomberg.

Before you hang cheap labels, it’s worth finding out who Brigitte Macron is. She was born in the city of Amiens into a famous dynasty of confectioners, and was the youngest of six children in the Tronier family. She taught Latin in Strasbourg and then received a teaching position acting at the Jesuit school in Amiens, where Emmanuel fell in love with her. Despite the fact that most publications prefer to once again focus on the active male role in their relationship (Macron set himself the goal of getting Brigitte’s hand at any cost and sought it for 12 years), some still admit that Brigitte is the real political manager in their relationship. The first lady herself quotes Michel de Montaigne in a conversation about her relationship with the president. “My husband and I love to “polish each other’s brains.” We cannot live without this,” she says in an interview with Canal Plus.

Truly French First Lady

If you dig a little deeper, it is easy to discover that in French culture such relationships have always been the norm: Josephine de Beauharnais was six years older than Napoleon Bonaparte, and even for this minor difference she faced criticism and ridicule. The couple even had to correct the age data on their marriage certificate - according to the documents, Josephine was 4 years younger, and Bonaparte was 18 months older.

Josephine played approximately the same role in the fate of France that Brigitte played. Firstly, she became a style icon of the First Empire. It was she who introduced new styles into fashion every week, for example famous dress"Josephine" gathered under the bust, and a combination of white muslin and black silk. Her unique fashion experiments cost the emperor 3 million francs a year - an unthinkable amount at that time. Secondly, it was Josephine who inspired Napoleon to many of his actions, was his inner conscience and main love all his life. The divorce from her was, according to many historians, the beginning of the end for Bonaparte.

It should be noted that France, in principle, has never had the concept of a typical first lady, always strictly following a certain code, as is customary in America. François Mitterrand led a life of two families and maintained a close relationship with his mother illegitimate daughter Mazarin, and his wife Danielle at the same time started an affair with Jean Balensi. Bernadette Chirac did not hesitate to tell her biographer about how long she had endured her husband’s infidelities. Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Cecilia could not stand it and left seven months after his election as president. The latest scandal in history French first The lady became Valerie Trierweiler's book, in which she published details of Francois Hollande's affair with actress Julie Gayet.

A first lady like Brigitte could only appear in France, with its rich culture and history of relationships in which a large age difference does not bother anyone. The classics of French literature loved to use this theme in their work. The most a shining example One can name the relationship between Honore de Balzac and his muse and inspiration Laura de Bernis, who was more than twice his age. It was Madame de Bernis who supported young writer in his desire to engage in literary work, paid his bills and never ceased to believe in his talent. She inspired Balzac's iconic works about the so-called woman of Balzac's age who helps her to a young lover on his way to wealth and fame. The writer was next to Laura de Berni before last minutes her life.

The image of a woman who remains sexy and attractive into old age has found its place in French cinema. Stars such as Daniel Darrieux, Fanny Ardant, Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Huppert have become cult figures in France and beyond. Thus, Brigitte Macron is not the first and is unlikely to be the last.

What is good for a Frenchman is death for an American

The French voter is accustomed to strong, powerful and well-dressed first ladies. In the United States, this look went out of fashion with Jackie Kennedy leaving the White House. The next archetype in the history of US first ladies was the “mother of the nation,” and Nancy Reagan brilliantly played this role. However, this role quickly showed its inconsistency - such female images are quickly destroyed due to their artificiality. Time passes, and people realize that behind this there is nothing more than a team of makeup artists and speech writers. The final blow to this role model was the death of Princess Diana, whose life was another example of a seemingly ideal love story and another “motherly” image. In reality the quantity fairy tales about the prince and princess, and even with good ending, tends to zero, and women quickly get tired of playing the role of a sex bomb or the Virgin Mary. And even though these archetypes have a good effect on the instincts of voters, it is impossible to pretend to be an artificial character for a long time.

This is why Melania Trump's image failed: it is impossible to easily project the image of a strong first lady to the masses if you are hiding in Trump Tower. When your relationship with your husband becomes so tense that it is no longer possible to hide hostility in public, then you can’t pretend to be a caring wife.

Brigitte Macron decided to take a different path and not emulate either Melania or Carla Bruni. Delphine de Canecaude, a Parisian stylist, said in an interview with L "Express: “She is a rock and roll young lady. She doesn’t say to herself for a second: “M not 64, I can’t afford to wear skirts above the knee." Huge heels, sleeveless dresses, leather pants- she is ready for anything. She's just a superwoman" The French call her their “Jane Fonda,” and this is no coincidence. Beautiful olive tan, bags Louis Vuitton, double-breasted coats, bright details, skinny jeans - this is the image of a woman who has lived her entire life by the principle of “never slow down, only forward” and is not going to change it just because now her home is the residence of the French president.

Many political scientists noted that 48-year-old Marine Le Pen also lost because she chose a too conservative style for herself, which made her look old. From the very beginning, Emmanuel Macron's wife demonstrated a youthful approach to life and, first of all, to her own. Brigitte made a bet on young France and was right. After the elections in the USA and France, when one nation is hopelessly disillusioned with the image of a beautiful doll in a Chanel suit, and another begins to fall in love with a woman who breaks age and social stereotypes, the images of the “loving mother of the nation” or the “virgin queen” no longer work. The time has come for a real, living woman who can support her partner, but will never allow anyone to consider herself not equal to him. And it doesn't matter how old she is. As Brigitte’s daughter from her first marriage, Tiffany Ozier, says, in the provinces the French admire what Brigitte does. “I always meet people who admire the work mom does, how she supports her husband and how involved she is in his life,” she adds.

At times, Brigitte's influence even becomes too noticeable; the French press accuses her of overshadowing her husband. Macron himself reacts to this succinctly: “Her role will be the same as it was before the elections - I’m not going to hide my wife, since she shares my life with me and her opinion matters to me. There was always balance in our relationship, and Brigitte was always by my side in the most difficult moments.”

It's only been 3 months since Emmanuel Macron took the post of President of France, but the politician’s personal life does not give rest to the press. Some call this normal, while others are convinced that the newly elected president is a pervert. Nevertheless, Macron’s wife Brigitte is 25 years older than her husband. Today she is 64, and she met her future husband when he was only 15 years old.

"So simple!" shares interview with Brigitte Macron for the glamorous Elle magazine, in which she spoke without embarrassment about her love for her husband.

Wife of the President of France

Brigitte Macron (nee Trogneux) was born into the family of the eminent French chocolatier Jean Trogneux. In 1974, she married future banker Andre Louis Ozier and bore him three children. Later received Teacher Education and was engaged in teaching French and Latin at the Jesuit Lyceum La Providence. There, in 1993, the future first lady met Emmanuel Macron, the same age and classmate of her daughter Laurence.

The very next year between a woman and a young boy romance started, which grew into successful marriage. The parents of the future president of France, fearing a scandal, sent Emmanuel to study in Paris. But the relationship with Brigitte did not stop. In 2006, Trogneux divorced her husband and six months later married Macron. On May 14, 2017, Emmanuel Macron became president French Republic, and Brigitte - the first lady.

The French never cease to admire the new first lady, because Brigitte doesn’t look like herself true age. The First Lady of France is often compared to Melania Trump, whose elegance and beauty cannot but captivate. Despite the significant age difference (Melania Trump is 47), both young ladies look like the same age.

Issue glamorous ELLE magazine from an interview with Brigitte Macron has broken all sales records over the past 10 years. Let's see what interesting and intimate the newly minted woman said first lady of france.

— When did you realize that your relationship with Emmanuel had changed?

“I think it was when we were working on Eduardo De Filippo’s play The Art of Comedy (Brigitte led the theater group at the school where Emmanuel studied). We wrote on Friday evenings. And since Saturday I’ve already been waiting for next Friday. I didn't understand why. It seemed so crazy to me!”

— Have you tried to resist your feelings?

“Yes, it was I who told Emmanuel to go to Paris to finish his education, because I thought it was better for him. There was nothing between us at that time, but the gossip continued. I was only interested in my children - Sebastian, Laurence and Tiffany. I didn’t care about the rest of the world.”

— What was the most difficult thing for you in this unusual story love?

“The endless distances that physically separated us until 2007. But during this period we wrote to each other a lot. The only thing my husband can be accused of is that he is younger than me.”

— Are you living beyond your limits?

"Not at all. This story took shape little by little. I gradually brought my family to understand... Emmanuel gradually prepared his family. We didn't break any wood. In any case, children often suffer as a result of divorce. I know that I hurt my children, this is what I blame myself for most. There are times in your life when you need to do life choice. And so it was for me.

So, we are twenty years apart, one might say, but this is nothing. Of course, here we are having breakfast: me with my wrinkles, he with his freshness, but that’s normal. If I had not made this choice, I would have missed out on my life. I had a lot of happiness with my own children, and at the same time I felt that somewhere there was “that same love,” as Prévert said, to be completely happy.”

— How did you deal with gossip related to your age difference during the presidential campaign?

"Badly. But I told myself that I had to remain silent. And he let go."

— What is the current situation with changes to the status of the First Lady?

“The status of the first lady will be determined not by law, but by a special document - a “transparency charter”, which will show that I personally do not receive remuneration, and there will also be a detailed report on how much money was spent on this or that of my activities. The Elysee Palace website will publish details of my meetings and the commitments I have made so that the French know exactly what I am doing.”