A Paris court has found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, over false online claims about her gender, sexuality, and marriage to President Emmanuel Macron.
The ruling, issued on January 5, convicted eight men and two women for spreading what judges described as “degrading, insulting, and malicious” conspiracy theories, including false allegations about Brigitte Macron’s gender and claims linking the couple’s age gap to criminal behavior.
Sentences ranged from mandatory cyberbullying awareness training to suspended prison terms of up to eight months. Brigitte Macron said she pursued the case to set an example amid growing concern over online harassment.
While the verdict marks a legal stand against misinformation, public scrutiny of the Macrons’ unconventional relationship has long fueled debate. Click through to explore how their love story began, and why it continues to draw intense public attention.