Macrons' enduring romance: Inside the forbidden love story

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are undoubtedly the most frequently commented-on presidential couple. The 25-year age difference between them has sparked huge controversies from the beginning of their great romance. The First Lady of France shared how their love relationship developed.

He was a Jesuit high school student in Amiens, a town on the Somme River. She worked as a Latin and literature teacher at the same school, striving to instill a love for theater in young people. She never expected that a mere 15-year-old would turn her world upside down.

Although no one gave them much chance to build a lasting relationship, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron defied all odds, nurturing their love for over three decades. Emmanuel's dynamically growing political career only strengthens their happy relationship. However, the beginnings of their acquaintance did not hint at this at all.

Emmanuel Macron joined the school's drama club, influenced by his fascination with the teacher. An eloquent high school student, he captivated the woman, a quarter-century his senior, with his exceptional intelligence and boldness, unlike many of his classmates. Nonchalantly, he suggested working on a play together. For Brigitte, it became clear that the line between student and teacher was increasingly blurring.

She confessed to the authors of the book "The Macrons" that one day, she realized they were gradually transitioning from a purely intellectual relationship to a more emotional one. She knew he was the man of her life, but I also knew it was impossible.

Upon moving to the next grade, the teenager dared to confess his love to "Mrs. Professor." Brigitte, who was 41 at the time, reciprocated his feelings. Their relationship, however, wasn't based solely on sexual contact. Passionate discussions, exchange of opinions, and lively debates about art filled a significant portion of their time together. But it was all undone by Emmanuel's parents' decision to transfer him to another school.

The enforced separation confirmed the mother of three's desire to get to know her former student better. However, in the back of her mind, she was concerned about abandoning her stable family life and the mounting rumors that could impact their future.

My head was in a mess. For me, such a young boy was crippling. Emmanuel had to leave for Paris. I told myself that he would fall in love with someone his [own] age. It didn’t happen - she revealed in an interview with "Paris Match."

Brigitte Auzière eventually left her husband after almost 20 years together. She moved to the capital, following her lover, who craved her presence. They waited to reveal their relationship until the boy officially reached adulthood. However, it took a lot of time before she finalized her divorce and pledged formally her love to her much younger partner. She hesitated with this decision, not wanting to disrupt the peace of her then-adult children.

That lasted 10 years, the time to put them on the rails. You can imagine what they were hearing. But I didn’t want to miss out on my life - she said in the same interview.

She had reservations about getting married while her parents were alive. In numerous conversations, she described them as "examples of faithfulness and good upbringing." The politician himself emphasized that their relationship deviates from generally accepted norms.

You have made us what we are today … I want to thank you for loving us the way we are, and I want to thank Brigitte’s children because this has not been easy for them - said a clearly moved Emmanuel Macron on October 20, 2007, on their wedding day.

Brigitte Macron's eldest daughter is the same age as her stepfather and his... classmate. Laurence, Tiphaine, and the eldest of the siblings, Sébastien, root for the eternal happiness of the presidential couple.