A new book by journalist Florian Tardif has reignited rumors about an alleged relationship between French President Emmanuel Macron and Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani. The claims suggest their 'platonic' exchanges caused tension between the president and First Lady Brigitte Macron, with some reports linking the speculation to a viral incident in Vietnam. Both camps have strongly denied the allegations.
The rumors have also drawn renewed attention to the Macrons' own closely scrutinized relationship. On May 25, 2025, the world watched as the French president appeared to be slapped in the face by his wife, in footage that quickly went viral. The French leader later downplayed the moment, insisting they were simply “horsing around.” Still, the clip sparked fresh discussion around the couple’s unconventional love story, the two having met when Emmanuel was a 15-year-old student and Brigitte a 39-year-old teacher. So, how did their controversial romance begin, and what has kept it going?
Find out more about the French first couple’s relationship by clicking through this gallery.