A new book alleges that Brigitte Macron shoved French President Emmanuel Macron in the face as they disembarked a plane in Vietnam last year after she discovered texts he had sent to an Iranian actress. The incident, which went viral, was initially dismissed by the couple as a joke. However, according to Florian Tardif in Un Couple (Presque) Parfait — An (Almost) Perfect Couple, the altercation stemmed from Brigitte's anger upon seeing a text from Emmanuel to exiled Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Tardif, a political correspondent at Paris Match magazine, claims that Brigitte, 73, feared her husband, 48, might leave her for the actress after seeing the exchange. The messages reportedly went 'quite far' and included comments such as 'I find you very pretty,' Tardif told RTL radio. However, Farahani, 42, has denied rumors of an affair, describing their connection as 'platonic.'
Denials and Explanations
A source close to Brigitte 'categorically denied' the claims, insisting she 'never looks into her husband's phone,' according to Le Parisien. Tardif, however, stands by his reporting, stating, 'Everything in the book is facts, facts and only facts.' He also interviewed Brigitte for the book, who said she was 'very tired' after a difficult flight. 'There was a lot of turbulence during the flight, which stopped me sleeping,' she said. 'Right then, I didn’t want to get out [of the aircraft]. He tried to make me laugh. He gave me some water and I pushed him away.'
Official Responses
An Elysee official initially downplayed the moment, calling it a 'relaxing' moment before the trip. Macron later admitted to 'squabbling' with his wife, expressing surprise at the global attention. 'We are squabbling and, rather, joking with my wife,' he told reporters. 'I’m surprised by it, it turns into some kind of global catastrophe where people are even coming up with theories to explain it. It’s nonsense.'
The Independent has contacted representatives for Farahani and the Macrons for comment.
