French journalist Florian Tardif reignited the controversy over the relationship between French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, after he revealed in a radio interview the details of a story he included in his new book related to a slap incident that was captured by cameras during an official visit to Vietnam on May 25, 2025.
In an interview on RTL radio, Tardif, a journalist for Paris Match magazine, said that what happened on board the presidential plane was the result of tension caused by correspondence between Macron and Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani. He explained that the First Lady saw a letter from the actress, which led to a quarrel between the couple.
He added that the relationship between Macron and Farahani was “platonic” and continued for several months, noting that the correspondence included advanced expressions of courtesy. He considered that these details were documented in his book, “The Almost Perfect Couple,” stressing that he verified the information he published.
The incident dates back to the moment the French President and his wife arrived at Hanoi Airport, where video footage showed Brigitte’s hands heading towards Macron’s face as he exited the plane. The president seemed surprised before continuing the reception ceremony. Brigitte was also seen ignoring his hand as they descended the plane stairs, which reinforced speculation that there was a dispute between them.
On the other hand, Macron later said that what happened was “joking” between him and his wife, while his aides explained that the matter was nothing more than “a moment of petting.” Sources close to Brigitte Macron also categorically denied the story, confirming that she does not have access to her husband’s phone, and that she informed the author directly of this denial on March 5.
Tardif pointed out that the Elysee regrets the way the media dealt with the incident, considering that the presidential palace missed the opportunity to present a normal picture of the marital relationship instead of adhering to the narrative of the “ideal couple.”
Previous rumors had affected the relationship between Macron and Farahani, but the latter had previously commented on these news, considering them to be stories that are repeated periodically and then disappear, wondering why the public is interested in such stories.
It is noteworthy that Macron (48 years old) has been married to Brigitte (73 years old) since 2007, and the age difference between them has been the focus of media attention since his arrival to the presidency.
