Would you like to learn some interesting facts about Emmanuel Macron?
Born Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron on December 21, 1977, in Amiens, France, to Jean-Michel Macron, professor of neurology, and Françoise Noguès-Macron, a physician. Emmanuel Macron went on to become one of the most prominent figures in global politics today as he is currently serving as the President of the French Republic.
Emmanuel Macron is an interesting and charismatic leader. He has faced many challenges and controversies during his time in office due to his policies and statements. These have led to criticism and protests from different groups, but Macron has shown resilience and a commitment to making changes.
Here are more interesting facts about Emmanuel Macron that you may want to know.
Things you'll find in this article
- 14 Interesting Facts About Emmanuel Macron
- 1. He married his former high school teacher
- 2. He is a former banker and civil servant
- 3. He is the youngest president in French history
- 4. By virtue of his position, he is also a Co-Prince of Andorra
- 5. Emmanuel Macron’s presidential cars are an armored Renault Espace V and a Peugeot 5008 II
- 6. He has a dog named Nemo
- 7. He is multilingual
- 8. He is a vegetarian and an environmentalist
- 9. He is fond of sports and outdoor activities
- 10. He also has a black belt in judo
- 11. He is a fan of fashion and style
- 12. Emmanuel Macron loves to read and write
- 13. He has a passion for theater and cinema
- 14. He is a pro-European and a reformist
14 Interesting Facts About Emmanuel Macron
1. He married his former high school teacher
Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Trogneux first crossed paths when he was just 15, and she was 39. Their introduction happened during a theatre workshop, where she was the teacher and he was a student. However, they didn’t become a couple until he turned 18. It’s worth noting that she was married with three kids at the time.
Eventually, she divorced her husband, and in 2007, she and Macron tied the knot. There’s a significant age gap between them, with Trogneux being 24 years older than Macron.
Trogneux is 24 years older than him, and has seven grandchildren. She and Macron have no children together.
2. He is a former banker and civil servant
Before delving into politics, Emmanuel Macron began his career as an inspector at the Ministry of Finance. He later ventured into the financial world, working as an investment banker at Rothschild & Co – a job that earned him quite a substantial income.
In 2006, Macron joined the Socialist Party but opted to go independent in 2009. He went on to take on roles as a deputy secretary-general and then as the Minister of Economy during President François Hollande’s term.
Eventually, in 2016, he made the pivotal decision to step down and establish his own political movement called En Marche (which means “On the Move”).
3. He is the youngest president in French history
Emmanuel Macron was 39 years old when he made history in 2017 by winning the presidential election in France. He broke the record of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte (later called Napoleon III), who was Napoleon’s nephew. Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte had become the first president of the French Republic at the age of 40, which took place in December 1848.
4. By virtue of his position, he is also a Co-Prince of Andorra
It’s interesting to note that in addition to his role as the President of France, Emmanuel Macron also serves as one of the Co-Princes of Andorra, a tiny country in the Pyrenees mountains.
What makes Andorra quite unique is that it has not one but two heads of state. Besides Macron, the other Co-Prince is the Bishop of Urgell, who is currently Bishop Joan-Enric Vives.
This arrangement actually has quite a fascinating history that goes all the way back to the Middle Ages when these two powers shared rule over the region.
5. Emmanuel Macron’s presidential cars are an armored Renault Espace V and a Peugeot 5008 II
The current President of France relies on a pair of specially designed vehicles for his official duties. One of his presidential cars is an armored Renault Espace V, providing advanced security features to ensure his safety during public appearances and travel.
Additionally, Macron also utilizes a Peugeot 5008 II as another part of his presidential fleet, which likely offers him a comfortable and efficient mode of transportation while representing the nation.
6. He has a dog named Nemo
Nemo is an adorable mix of black Labrador and Griffon. President Macron adopted him from a shelter back in 2017, continuing the tradition of French presidents having a furry companion at the Elysee Palace.
Macron named him Nemo, which was inspired by Captain Nemo, a character from one of his favorite books – Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne.
Nemo, true to his doggy nature, has added some unexpected moments to public events, occasionally barking or even taking bathroom breaks during Macron’s meetings.
7. He is multilingual
Emmanuel Macron’s language skills extend beyond French, English, and German. He’s proficient in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, and Mandarin Chinese.
Macron’s fluency in English and German makes him different from many French presidents before him. It is something that truly enables him to actively participate in international meetings and interviews. His grasp of German, honed during his studies in Germany, reflects his admiration for German culture and literature.
Macron values language learning as a means to bridge cultures and facilitate dialogue.
8. He is a vegetarian and an environmentalist
Macron does not eat meat or fish, and he has said that he wants to make France a leader in the fight against climate change. He has as well pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, phase out coal power plants, and ban the controversial herbicide called glyphosate.
9. He is fond of sports and outdoor activities
He engages in tennis and soccer, actively supporting the French national team. Additionally, he takes pleasure in skiing, hiking, and biking, expressing a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife while emphasizing the importance of environmental protection.
10. He also has a black belt in judo
Emmanuel Macron is a black belt in judo. He began learning the martial art at the young age of 10, emphasizing the values of discipline, respect, and self-control. He obtained the black belt when he was 17. He also enjoys boxing and cycling as part of his fitness routine.
11. He is a fan of fashion and style
He has a taste for wearing French brand suits like Arnys, Smalto, and Jonas & Cie. When it comes to watches, he owns a Cartier Tank Solo and a Rolex Daytona. He’s mentioned his admiration for the elegance and charisma of former President Jacques Chirac as well.
12. Emmanuel Macron loves to read and write
Macron has written two books: Revolution, a political manifesto published in 2016, and Rediscovering the Path to Europe, a book about his vision for reconnecting Europe (published in 2019).
Emmanuel Macron also reads a lot of books, especially novels and essays. Some of his favorite authors are Marcel Proust, Michel Houellebecq, Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Stendhal.
13. He has a passion for theater and cinema
In his youth, Emmamuel Macron had joined drama clubs and even auditioned for a role in a TV movie when he was just 18 years old. He’s also an avid movie enthusiast, particularly enjoying comedies and thrillers. As for actors, he has a high regard for Louis de Funès, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, and Jean Reno, considering them among his all-time favorites.
14. He is a pro-European and a reformist
Macron entered the political scene with ambitious goals: strengthening the European Union, modernizing France’s economy, reforming the public sector, and addressing climate change.
He’s also been outspoken on foreign policy issues like terrorism, immigration, and human rights. Yet, he’s faced challenges from diverse sources, including political opponents, labor unions, yellow vest protesters, and extremist factions.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.