French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out for the first time against claims that his wife was born a man – saying the rumours were ‘false and fabricated’.
Mr Macron, 47, expressed his anger and frustration about continual speculation about Brigitte Macron, 70, whom he married in 2007.
‘The worst thing is the false information and fabricated scenarios,’ said Mr Macron. ‘People eventually believe them and disturb you, even in your intimacy.’
The president was speaking on International Women’s Day on Friday, after inscribing the guaranteed right to abortion into France’s constitution.
He said the transgender claims about Ms Macron were typical of misogynisitic online attacks that women have to put up with every day.
Two women who claimed the première dame was born a man were punished with ‘symbolic fines’ reduced on appeal last June.
In turn, both claimed they were subjected to ‘intimidation by the authorities’ as ‘ultra protected’ members of the Paris establishment tried to cover up a ‘state secret’.
The future politician was just 15 when he began a relationship with the then married mother-of-three Brigitte Auzière, who was 40 at the time, and teaching drama at La Providence high school in Amiens, northern France.
Those spreading the transgender rumours were Amandine Roy, a 52-year-old clairvoyant, and Natacha Rey, 48, who styled herself as a freelance journalist.
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