A dramatic twist unfolded in Paris this week as two women, previously convicted of defaming France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron, were sensationally acquitted on appeal.
The women had claimed she was “born a man,” accusations that sparked headlines and outrage.
Yet the Paris Appeal Court ruled they had the legal right to make these claims, stirring up fresh controversy.
Who Are the Women Behind the Allegations?
The two women involved are Amandine Roy, a 53-year-old clairvoyant, and Natacha Rey, a 49-year-old blogger.
Back in December 2021, they appeared in a lengthy YouTube video making explosive statements about Brigitte Macron’s identity.
They alleged she was born as a boy named Jean-Michel Trogneux—a name actually belonging to Brigitte’s brother—and questioned the existence of her first husband.
Both women say they faced intimidation from powerful figures trying to suppress what they call a “state secret.”
Despite initial convictions and fines, they have now been cleared and are legally free to repeat these claims.
Brigitte Macron’s Response and Ongoing Legal Battles
Brigitte Macron was not present at the court hearing, as she was returning from a State Visit to Britain with President Emmanuel Macron.
Her legal team expressed devastation over the ruling and announced plans to appeal to France’s highest court, the Cassation Court.
Meanwhile, Brigitte faces other attacks, including a cyber-harassment trial against four men accused of spreading hateful conspiracy theories about her gender and relationship with President Macron.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed a formal complaint of cyberbullying was filed in August 2024.
The Public Scrutiny Surrounding Brigitte Macron
The First Lady has been no stranger to controversy.
A recent book titled Becoming Brigitte stirred fresh rumors about her personal life, fueled further by social media influencers spreading conspiracy theories.
Even the couple’s relationship has been under a harsh spotlight, especially after a video surfaced showing a tense moment between Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron during a state visit to Vietnam.
Despite the rumors, both Brigitte and Emmanuel have denied any domestic abuse, attributing the incident to a minor disagreement.
A Relationship That Sparked Rumors From the Start
Their relationship has long been the subject of speculation.
Emmanuel Macron was a teenage student when he fell in love with Brigitte Auzière, his drama teacher, who was then married with children.
The romance challenged social norms in their tight-knit, conservative community, leading to persistent rumors and judgment.
Brigitte has openly spoken about the difficulties, especially the impact on her children, but she remained determined not to miss out on her own happiness.
The couple eventually married in 2007, well before Emmanuel Macron’s rise to the presidency.
What’s Next in This Ongoing Saga?
The court’s decision marks another chapter in the complicated and often controversial public life of France’s First Lady.
With appeals pending and cyberbullying trials underway, the story is far from over.
We’ll keep following the developments closely as more details emerge