Skip to main content
Thursday, 16 July 2026 · Morning editionSydney 🌧 16°CAUD/USD 0.6983 · AUD/EUR 0.6122About UsOur TeamSourcesContactNewsletter

President France: Macron’s presidency, marriage, biography

Few world leaders have sparked as much curiosity about their personal lives as France’s head of state. Since taking office on 14 May 2017, Emmanuel Macron has been both a political force and a subject of fascination—especially for his marriage to his former teacher, Brigitte Trogneux.

Current President: Emmanuel Macron ·
Age (as of 2024): 46 (born 21 December 1977) ·
Term Start: 14 May 2017 ·
Marriage Year: 2007 ·
Age Difference with Spouse: 24 years (Brigitte older) ·
Number of Children (stepchildren): 3

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Macron cannot run again after 2027 (French term limit)
  • Ongoing pension reform and EU leadership role

Six key facts, one pattern: Macron’s public life is unusually intertwined with his private biography. The table below lays out the verified details.

Label Value
Full Name Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron
Born 21 December 1977, Amiens, France
Spouse Brigitte Macron (married 2007)
Children 3 stepchildren (Sébastien, Laurence, Tiphaine)
Presidency Start 14 May 2017
Political Party Renaissance (formerly En Marche!)

Who is the new president of France?

Emmanuel Macron is the current president of France. He took office on 14 May 2017 after winning the presidential election at age 39, making him the youngest president in French history. He was reelected in April 2022, defeating Marine Le Pen in a runoff.

How long has Macron been President of France?

As of 2024, Macron has been president for over seven years. His first term began 14 May 2017, and his second term started 7 May 2022. The French president is elected for a five-year term (the quinquennat) and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms (Wikipedia (office of the president)).

Is Macron still President of France?

Yes, Emmanuel Macron is currently the president of France. He remains in office as of late 2024 and is expected to serve until 2027, when his second term ends (Élysée (official presidential profile)).

What is the term length of the President of France?

The term length is five years, established by a 2000 referendum that shortened the previous seven-year term. Presidents are limited to two consecutive terms.

Why this matters

Macron’s reelection in 2022 means he will remain a central figure in European politics until at least 2027. French voters who supported him in 2017 have seen a steady stream of reforms—some popular, some deeply contested.

The implication: Macron’s longevity in office contrasts with the frequent protests against his policies.

What happened to president Emmanuel Macron?

Macron’s presidency has been marked by major domestic protests and international events. The Yellow Vest movement erupted in 2018 over fuel taxes and economic inequality. In 2023, his government pushed through pension reforms that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, sparking nationwide strikes (Wikipedia (2023 pension reform strikes)).

Macron’s reelection in 2022

In April 2022, Macron defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen with 58.5% of the vote in the second round, a narrower margin than in 2017.

Major protests and reforms

  • Yellow Vest protests (2018–2019): over 280,000 demonstrators at peak (Wikipedia (Yellow vests))
  • Pension reform (2023): retirement age increase from 62 to 64 (Wikipedia (pension reform))
  • Immigration law (2023): stricter controls and integration measures (Wikipedia (immigration in France))

Foreign policy events

Macron has been a vocal advocate for European strategic autonomy and continued support for Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion. He has also pushed for EU climate policies and defense coordination.

The trade-off

Macron’s centralist approach—liberal economic reforms paired with tough social security changes—has won him praise from markets but eroded his domestic popularity. The pension reform alone cost him his parliamentary majority in 2022.

Bottom line: Macron’s reform agenda has galvanized opposition while securing his international standing.

Why did Emmanuel Macron marry his teacher?

The story of Macron and Brigitte Trogneux began in 1993 at Lycée La Providence in Amiens, where Brigitte was a drama teacher. Macron was a 15-year-old student. They developed a close intellectual bond through theatre workshops. After Brigitte divorced her first husband, André-Louis Auzière, in 2006, the couple married on 20 October 2007 in Le Touquet (Élysée (official biography)).

What is the age gap between Macron and his wife?

Brigitte Macron was born on 13 April 1953, making her 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, who was born on 21 December 1977. At the time of their wedding, Macron was 29 and Brigitte was 54 (The Independent (UK newspaper)).

How long has Macron been married?

Macron and Brigitte Trogneux have been married since 20 October 2007—over 17 years as of 2024 (People (celebrity magazine)).

Bottom line: Macron married his high school drama teacher after a 14-year relationship. The age gap—24 years with Brigitte older—is one of the largest in modern political first couples. For observers, the story highlights the tension between private life and public scrutiny in French politics.

The pattern: the Macrons’ bond has remained private despite intense public scrutiny.

Did Brigitte Macron give birth to her children?

Brigitte Macron has three children from her first marriage to André-Louis Auzière: Sébastien (born 1975), Laurence (born 1977), and Tiphaine (born 1984). Emmanuel Macron is not the biological father of any of them. The couple has no biological children together.

How many children does Brigitte Macron have?

Three children, all from her first marriage. She also has seven grandchildren.

Are they Macron’s biological children?

No. Macron is a stepfather to Brigitte’s children, who were adults by the time he married their mother. Sébastien Auzière is now a lawyer, Laurence a cardiologist, and Tiphaine a designer.

Timeline of Emmanuel Macron’s life and presidency

  • 1977: Emmanuel Macron born in Amiens, France
  • 1993: Meets Brigitte Trogneux, his drama teacher at Lycée La Providence (Élysée (official biography))
  • 2007: Marries Brigitte Trogneux on 20 October in Le Touquet (Élysée (official biography))
  • 2014: Appointed Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs under President Hollande (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
  • 2017: Elected President of France, takes office 14 May
  • 2022: Reelected for a second term, defeating Marine Le Pen
  • 2023–2024: Pension reform protests, immigration law, continued EU leadership

The pattern: each stage of Macron’s life intertwined public and private milestones.

What we know—and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Brigitte Macron is his wife (married 2007) (Élysée (official biography))
  • Age gap is 24 years (People (celebrity magazine))
  • Brigitte has three children from a previous marriage (Élysée (official biography))

What’s unclear

  • Specific reasons for Macron’s personal attraction to his teacher (private motivation)
  • Exact nature of their relationship before marriage (private details)
  • Emmanuel Macron is the current President of France (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
  • Macron was born on 21 December 1977 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
  • He took office on 14 May 2017 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))

What this means: the story of Macron’s marriage continues to be shaped by a mix of verified facts and private unknowns.

Quotes from the couple

“I was not a teacher. I was a drama teacher. I was in charge of the theatre workshop. I put on plays. That’s how I met him. He was exceptional in every way.”

— Brigitte Macron, People (celebrity magazine)

“Our story is not a classic one. It is a love story. It is not something that deserves to be judged.”

— Emmanuel Macron, TIME (news magazine)

The pattern: both Macron and Brigitte have consistently framed their relationship as a private matter that the public has turned into a political narrative. The couple rarely gives joint interviews, but when they do, they emphasize the normality of their bond.

For a comprehensive overview of his personal and political life, Emmanuel Macrons biography and age provides detailed information on his age, marriage, and term.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Emmanuel Macron?

He was born on 21 December 1977, making him 46 years old as of 2024.

What is the role of the President of France?

The president is the head of state, responsible for foreign policy, defense, and appointing the prime minister. The role also includes representing France internationally and overseeing the executive branch (Wikipedia (office of the president)).

Who was the previous president of France?

François Hollande, who served from 2012 to 2017. Macron was his Minister of Economy before resigning to run for president (Wikipedia (François Hollande)).

How many French presidents have there been?

Emmanuel Macron is the 25th president of the French Republic (counting all republics) and the 8th president of the Fifth Republic since 1958 (Wikipedia (list of presidents)).

What is the French president’s salary?

As of 2024, the French president receives an annual salary of approximately €179,000 (about $195,000), plus benefits including housing at the Élysée Palace (Wikipedia (salary and benefits)).

Is Emmanuel Macron still married to Brigitte?

Yes, they remain married as of 2024. There have been no reports of separation or divorce.

The takeaway: these questions address the most common curiosities about Macron’s presidency and personal life.

For French voters, the choice ahead is clear: continue with Macron’s centrist reform agenda or pivot to alternatives in 2027. His legacy—defined by both his unconventional marriage and his controversial reforms—will shape the next campaign.

Related reading

These profiles of other French icons offer context on the nation’s cultural impact.



Alex Chen
Alex ChenStaff Writer

Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.