After years of hiding their relationship, Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron enter the political stage...

After years of hiding their relationship, Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron enter the political stage together

By Rick Noack April 24 at 2:59 PM

PARIS — When French voters are asked to describe the centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, age appears to be a defining characteristic in several ways. The 39-year-old Macron could become the youngest contemporary French president. He would also be accompanied into the Élysée Palace by his wife, Brigitte, who is 24 years older than he is. Both would be highly unusual, if not unprecedented.

Since Macron founded his own political movement about one year ago, his wife has rapidly adapted to the sudden prospect of becoming the next first lady of France after spending much of her life as a high school teacher.

She had few other choices, given the rather intense interest in the private lives of presidential candidates in France. French voters, it appears, like some drama.

The unusual relationship between Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron has plenty of that to offer. Born as Brigitte Marie-Claude Trogneux, the now 64-year-old is the daughter of a family of chocolatiers who are known for their macaroons, a French type of confectionery that sounds remarkably similar to the name of the current presidential candidate.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/after-years-of-hiding-their-relationship-brigitte-and-emmanuel-macron-enter-the-political-stage-together/?tid=pm_world_pop&utm_term=.2dcc3cbaa925