Macron and Brigitte’s Viral Airport Moment Sparks Renewed Interest in Their Relationship
A recent viral video of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, captured at Hanoi Airport has reignited public interest in the origins of their unique relationship.
In the widely shared clip, Brigitte appears to lightly shove or “slap” her husband near the aircraft’s doorway, prompting online speculation about the nature of their interaction.
The footage shows Macron standing at the plane’s exit when Brigitte makes a sudden movement toward his face.
Though the moment caught many by surprise and stirred global commentary—including coverage by Russian and far-right French media—official sources and the president himself have since clarified the situation, describing the scene as a playful moment misinterpreted by viewers.
The Video That Went Viral
In the video, President Macron is seen turning toward his wife as the plane door opens. Brigitte then gestures toward his face in what some interpreted as a dismissive push. Macron briefly appears startled but quickly regains his composure, waves to reporters, and offers his arm to Brigitte as they prepare to descend the stairs. She declines the gesture and instead holds the handrail.
Public fascination quickly grew, with speculation flooding social media platforms. While the Élysée Palace initially dismissed the video as “fabricated,” Macron later acknowledged its authenticity but emphasized that the footage lacked context.
“This was just a light-hearted exchange between me and Brigitte,” Macron explained. “People have blown it out of proportion and attached absurd narratives. It was a private moment misread by the public.”
An Élysée spokesperson confirmed the sentiment, stating that the clip captured “a shared moment of humor between the president and the first lady,” rather than a conflict.
What Really Happened? A Lip Reader’s Interpretation
To better understand the interaction, a professional lip reader analyzed the video and provided insight into what may have been said.
According to the analysis, as the door opens, Macron turns toward Brigitte, who appears to make a quick motion toward his face. After a brief pause, Macron reportedly tells her, “Let’s go,” and thanks the pilot before facing the cameras.
At the top of the stairs, tensions appear to resurface. Macron offers his arm, which Brigitte declines, instead gripping the railing. As she walks past, she reportedly mutters, “Dégage, espèce de loser,” meaning “Back off, you loser.”
Macron, seemingly taken aback, responds, “Essayons, s’il te plaît” (“Let’s try, please”), to which Brigitte answers, “Non.” The moment ends with Macron saying, “Je vois” (“I see”), while maintaining a composed expression.
The lip reader described the interaction as “revealing a rare, candid glimpse into the couple’s dynamic—perhaps suggesting deeper emotional undercurrents.”
Their Unconventional Love Story
Beyond the airport moment, the video has led many to revisit the remarkable story of how Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron first met—a relationship that has fascinated the public for years.
The couple’s connection began in 1993, when Macron was a 15-year-old student at La Providence, a private Jesuit school in Amiens. Brigitte, then 39, was his literature and drama teacher. At the time, she was married to banker André Auzière and had three children of her own.
Biographer Anna Fulda detailed their early relationship in Emmanuel Macron: A Perfect Young Man, revealing that Macron’s parents initially misunderstood the nature of his bond with Brigitte, believing he was involved with one of her daughters. Once they learned the truth, they were alarmed and chose to transfer him to Paris.
Macron’s parents expressed concern, asking Brigitte to delay any involvement until he reached adulthood. Brigitte reportedly replied, “I can’t promise that.”
In a 2017 Elle magazine interview, Brigitte described the early stages of their romance:
“There were long separations between us until 2007, but we kept in close touch through letters. Over time, we both worked to help our families accept our relationship.”
After years of navigating personal and public scrutiny, the couple married in 2007—Macron was 29, and Brigitte was 54.
Conclusion: Private Moments Under Public Scrutiny
The now-famous airport video serves as a reminder of how public figures’ most private moments can be interpreted—and misinterpreted—under the spotlight. While some observers speculated about tensions in the Macron marriage, both the president and his team have emphasized the moment’s playfulness.
Their relationship, shaped by unconventional beginnings and years of outside scrutiny, has endured and evolved into a lasting partnership. Despite criticism and controversy, the Macrons remain a prominent and united couple on the global stage, with their story continuing to captivate the public eye.