This photo timeline captures the key moments that have defined their story — one that has followed them from a quiet classroom in Amiens to the global stage.

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 Trogneux, his drama teacher at a Catholic school in Amiens, France. She was married with three children and directed a school play 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, they 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.

2016

Emmanuel Macron smiled as Brigitte kissed his cheek in Paris on May 11, 2016 — just months before he would officially launch his bid for the French presidency later that year.

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron posed outside the College Royal et Militaire de Thiron-Gardais during the inauguration of its exhibition rooms on June 10, 2016, blending their public appearances with shared support for French heritage and education.

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron posed outside the College Royal et Militaire de Thiron-Gardais during the inauguration of its exhibition rooms on June 10, 2016, blending their public appearances with shared support for French heritage and education.

2017

In 2017, the Macrons personal and political lives collided on the national stage. After years of keeping their relationship largely out of the spotlight, it became a central focus as Emmanuel launched his presidential campaign. The unconventional nature of their union, long the subject of public commentary, took on new symbolic weight during his run for office.

When Emmanuel ultimately secured the presidency, becoming France’s youngest-ever leader, attention on his personal life only intensified. Though he had been measured about sharing private matters in the past, the French President began offering rare glimpses into how his relationship shaped his worldview.

In an international interview shortly after taking office, he described the role his wife played in maintaining his stability and sense of self, especially under the weight of public scrutiny. Emmanuel explained that for him, emotional grounding was inseparable from leadership.

He pointed to the importance of having someone who had known him long before he held office — someone who offered unfiltered truth, not ceremony. It was this consistent presence, he suggested, that helped him navigate the demands of his new role with perspective.

In 2017, Brigitte also spoke more candidly about their path together. She reflected on the significance of the decisions they had made years earlier — decisions that had altered the lives of everyone involved, including her children. For her, committing to the relationship had not been taken lightly, but she regarded it as necessary for her own sense of fulfillment.

She acknowledged the challenges that came with the age difference, noting that it was impossible to ignore. But for Brigitte, the criticisms held little weight when compared to what she believed would have been lost had she chosen differently. It was, she said, one of the most consequential decisions of her life — not because of public opinion, but because of what it meant to her privately.

By the end of 2017, the Macrons had shifted from a reclusive couple to one regularly seen at global events, press conferences, and diplomatic receptions. Their relationship, once a quiet personal matter, had become an enduring fixture of Emmanuel’s presidency — not as a political tool, but as part of the broader story of how he got there.

2018

During a formal welcome at the White House on April 24, 2018, President Emmanuel kissed Brigitte’s hand in front of then-President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The moment stood out as a rare display of personal formality between the French first couple on an international stage.

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final on July 15, 2018, Emmanuel Macron hugged Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović while Brigitte Macron watched from the side. The moment was captured in the VIP section at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

That same day, Brigitte was seen placing her arm around Emmanuel as they watched from the stands in Moscow. Their appearance at the match became one of their most widely circulated joint outings of the year, as France celebrated its World Cup victory over Croatia

By September 15, 2018, the couple was photographed holding hands while arriving at Villa Viardot near Paris for French Heritage Days. Their visit was part of France’s annual Heritage Days, an event promoting access to cultural landmarks. The couple’s low-key appearance offered a contrast to the high-profile engagements that typically define their calendar.

2019

President Emmanuel Macron kissed Brigitte after a press conference during his visit to Biarritz on May 17, 2019 — just ahead of the G7 summit hosted in the French coastal city.

2021

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron stood side by side, admiring a painting at the opening of “The Morozov Collection, Icons of Modern Art” exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris on September 21, 2021.

2022

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron were seen together in Paris on April 24, 2022 — the day he secured re-election for a second term as president. Their public appearances often draw renewed attention to their long-discussed personal history, which has remained a subject of media scrutiny since his rise in politics.

The Macrons held hands while walking along the beach in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage on April 23, 2022. Known as a frequent retreat for the couple, the town has long served as a quieter backdrop away from the political spotlight surrounding their highly public life.

During a visit to Guéret on September 16, 2022, for European Heritage Days, Emmanuel Macron leaned in close to Brigitte. While her role as France’s first lady has evolved over the years, she has remained a constant figure by his side at official events and public engagements.

2023

President Emmanuel Macron bent toward Brigitte Macron during the Bastille Day military parade on July 14, 2023, in Paris. Once her teenage student, Macron now stood at the helm of France — yet moments like this still revealed the quiet tenderness that has long defined their unconventional bond.

2024

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron descended the steps of the Élysée Palace ahead of a state dinner for the Chinese president’s visit to France on May 6, 2024. Nearly two decades after first defying convention, their relationship has transformed from a whispered scandal into one of the most visible partnerships in global politics.

Brigitte Macron kissed her husband on the cheek at the Élysée Palace during the “No to bullying” award ceremony on May 29, 2024. Their public gestures of affection have endured through years of scrutiny and political pressure, reflecting a personal alliance that has remained remarkably steadfast.

On August 11, 2024, Emmanuel and Brigitte posed for a courtside selfie with former U.S. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff during the Olympic finals in Paris. The couple’s appearance at the high-profile event underscored their continued presence on the international stage as France hosted the Summer Games.

2025

On May 25, 2025, during a diplomatic visit to Southeast Asia, President Emmanuel and First Lady Brigitte landed at Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam. The trip was part of a scheduled tour through the region, but their arrival quickly made headlines for reasons far beyond politics.

As the aircraft door opened, video footage captured a moment between the couple that drew instant attention. Brigitte, standing just off camera, was seen raising her hand toward her husband’s face in what appeared to be a push.

According to a lipreading analysis, Emmanuel turned to his wife just as the door opened, seemingly unaware of staff members waiting outside. Brigitte’s gesture appeared abrupt, and the president responded with a strained wave toward the crew and press on the ground

The lipreader noted a moment of visible discomfort among those standing nearby. A female staff member reportedly flinched before hurrying down the steps. Inside the doorway, Emmanuel then stepped aside and quietly said, “Let’s go” before signaling to Brigitte.

Descending the red-carpeted stairs, the tension appeared to linger. Emmanuel offered his arm; Brigitte did not take it, instead clinging to the railing. According to a lip reader, she told him to stay away from her, to which Emmanuel asked for them to try, but Brigitte refused.

As they reached the tarmac, Emmanuel offered a final wave. While the full context of their interaction remains private, the candid moment sparked widespread speculation about possible strain between the couple.

On May 29, 2025, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron were photographed touring the “Two Rivers” art exhibition on Singapore’s Anderson Bridge. The appearance came just days after the controversial airplane moment drew widespread attention. Despite the headlines, the couple maintained their diplomatic schedule abroad.

At the Parliament House in Singapore on May 30, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron stood beside Brigitte as they prepared to sign the official guest book. Though her public role remains largely ceremonial, Brigitte Macron continues to accompany the president on high-level diplomatic visits abroad.

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 power.