Brigitte Macron pressured to defend 24-year age gap between her and her husband yet again

Brigitte Macron has faced a slew of criticism since her husband, Emmanuel Macron, was elected as the French President.

Not only has she faced adversity at wanting to be known as France’s First Lady (there’s even a petition against the title), Macron has also had to deal with people talking about her 24-year relationship age gap.

Brigitte, 64, met 39-year-old Emmanuel 20 years ago when she taught drama at his secondary school.

Although their relationship did not begin at this time, the pair became close in later years after they worked on a play together. They married in 2007; a year after Brigitte divorced from her former husband.

In her first interview since being elected, Brigitte opened up about how she doesn’t regret marrying a man two decades her junior.

“There are times in your life where you need to make vital choices,” she told Elle France. “And for me, that was it. So, what has been said over the 20 years, it’s insignificant.”

“Of course, we have breakfast together, me and my wrinkles, him with his youth, but it’s like that. If I did not make that choice, I would have missed out on my life.”

She did admit that she struggled to cope with the sexism she faced during the presidential campaign earlier this year, adding: “I ended by telling myself, OK, I do not take it well but I have to deal with it. After, it will pass.”

Although it’s unusual for a woman to marry a man several years younger than her, Brigitte Macron is far from the first high-profile woman to do so.

Demi Moore married Ashton Kutcher when she was 43 and he was 27. Director Sam Taylor-Wood hit it off with young actor Aaron Johnson despite the couple’s 23-year age gap.

Jennifer Lopez may not have married former flame Casper Smart but she spent two years with a man 17 years younger than her while Madonna embarked on a relationship with Brazilian model Jesus Luz in 2010. She was 28 years older than him.

Other notable couples include Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble and Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling (now that’s a throwback).

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