France’s presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron has won the first round of the elections that have been widely seen as a turning point in the history of the European country. But, the world today is more amazed about the improbable love story of the pro-Europe candidate, who will be France’s youngest President if he wins.
Macron, now 39, and his wife Brigitte Trogneux have an age difference of 25 years. Trogneux is 64 years old. But, that is not the only incredible aspect of their love story.
Macron first met his future wife at a private Jesuit school when he was just 15 years old. Trogneux was Macron’s teacher. He promised to marry her at the age of 17. When they married in 2007, he was 29 and she was 54.
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An old footage of the couple has resurfaced on the internet showing Trogneux kissing Macron during a school theatre festival. Miss Trogneux was the drama coach of Macron and the teenage boy is seen acting on stage in the video before kissing his teacher.
According to a new book on the candidate, Macron's parents didn't approve of their son's romance with the teacher, who was married and had three children at the time. His father told Trogneux to back off until his son was at least 18.
"I cannot promise you anything," Trogneux tearfully replied, according to the book "Emmanuel Macron: A perfect young man" by Anne Fulda. Finally, she divorced her husband and married Macron. Macron made sure to get the blessing of Trogneux's three adult children before exchanging the rings.
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"When he decided to marry my mother, because he told her he would marry her, he came to see us and told us that he wanted to marry our mother," Trogneux's daughter Tiphaine Auzière told BFMTV.
After marriage, Macron rapidly climbed the career ladder. He rose to become an economic advisor to Francois Hollande's presidency in 2012 and then economy minister two years later.
According to Daily Mail, during a speech last month, the pair kissed on stage with Macron telling supporters: “I owe her an enormous amount because she has contributed to make me the person I am,” adding, “If I'm elected – no, sorry, when we are elected – she will be there, with a role and a place.”
