Emmanuel Macron
Born 1977 · Age 48
French politician, former investment banker and civil servant; President of France and Co‑Prince of Andorra since 2017. Founder of En Marche! (now Renaissance); former Minister of the Economy (2014–2016) and Élysée deputy secretary‑general (2012–2014).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Amiens, France
Emmanuel Jean‑Michel Frédéric Macron born to Françoise (physician) and Jean‑Michel Macron (neurology professor).
Baptised Roman Catholic at own request
Although raised in a non‑religious household, Macron requested baptism at age 12 (he identifies as agnostic today).
Began relationship with Brigitte Auzière (later Brigitte Macron)
Macron formed a lasting relationship with his theatre teacher Brigitte Auzière while at the Jesuit lycée in Amiens; parents later sent him to Paris to separate them.
Completed final year at Lycée Henri‑IV; earned Bac S with highest honors
Moved to Paris for final secondary schooling, obtained Bac S, Mention Très bien; nominated for Concours général in literature; diploma in piano from Amiens Conservatory.
Editorial assistant to philosopher Paul Ricoeur
Worked circa 1999 as editorial assistant to Paul Ricoeur on La Mémoire, l'Histoire, l'Oubli (notes and bibliography).
Completed postgraduate studies: DEA (philosophy) and Sciences Po master's
Obtained a DEA in philosophy from Paris Nanterre and a master's degree in public affairs from Sciences Po (approx. 2001).
Joined Inspection générale des finances (IGF) as Inspector of Finances
After ENA graduation, appointed as an Inspector at the Finance Ministry's IGF; mentored by Jean‑Pierre Jouyet.
Graduated from École nationale d'administration (ENA)
Completed ENA (class of 2004), a key credential for senior civil service in France.
Offered MD role at MEDEF (declined)
Laurence Parisot offered him managing director position at Mouvement des Entreprises de France; Macron declined.
Married Brigitte Trogneux
Macron married Brigitte (formerly Auzière/Trogneux). (Marriage year listed as 2007.)
Deputy rapporteur to Jacques Attali's Commission to 'Unleash French Growth'
Appointed deputy rapporteur for the Attali Commission (Aug 2007).
Bought out of civil‑service contract for €50,000
Paid €50,000 to buy himself out of his government contract before moving to the private sector.
Joined Rothschild & Cie Banque as investment banker
Left IGF and took a position at Rothschild in Paris; entered high‑earning private sector career.
Worked on major M&A (Cofidis/Crédit Mutuel and others) at Rothschild
Early responsibilities included assisting with the acquisition of Cofidis by Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe and other deals.
Promoted to partner/managing director at Rothschild
Promotion followed work on recapitalization of Le Monde and the Atos/Siemens IT acquisition.
Appointed to Attali Commission (member)
Named as a member of the Attali Commission in March 2010 while in the private sector.
Brokering Nestlé acquisition of Pfizer's infant‑nutrition division (~€9B / $12B)
Macron led Rothschild's role on Nestlé's acquisition of Pfizer's baby‑food division; personally earned significant fees making him a millionaire.
Reported earnings ~€2M between Dec 2010 and May 2012
Macron stated he had earned €2 million in the specified period; official records show roughly €2.9M between 2009–2013.
Advised Avril Group CEO (Philippe Tillous‑Borde)
Provided advisory services to Philippe Tillous‑Borde of the Avril Group (Feb 2012).
Appointed Deputy Secretary‑General of the Élysée (senior adviser to President Hollande)
Named Élysée deputy secretary‑general after Hollande's 2012 election; served as senior economic adviser and deputy to the president's secretary‑general.
Cast deciding votes resisting CEO salary regulation
As deputy secretary‑general, he helped shape positions on economic policy including rejecting tighter CEO pay regulation.
Awarded Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Received the UK honorary CBE on 5 June 2014 (foreign honour).
Left Élysée deputy secretary‑general role
Resigned / was replaced as deputy secretary‑general in mid‑2014 amid frustration at lack of influence and to pursue other plans.
Appointed Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs
Named Economy Minister in Manuel Valls' second government; youngest Economy Minister since 1962.
Left Socialist Party (declared independent)
Publicly stated in August 2015 that he was no longer a member of the Socialist Party and was an independent.
First major public TV appearance after ministerial rise
Gained wider public profile after appearing on TV programme 'Des Paroles Et Des Actes' (March 2015) and giving speeches (first speech March 2015 in Val‑de‑Marne).
Macron law adopted (loi Macron) using Article 49.3
Packaged liberalising reforms (Sunday/night work rules, deregulation in several sectors, administrative simplifications) passed on 10 April 2015 after PM used 49.3.
Founded En Marche! movement
Launched a centrist, pro‑European political movement in Amiens on 6 April 2016 (later renamed La République En Marche! / Renaissance).
Resigned as Economy Minister to prepare presidential bid
Left government on 30 August 2016 to devote himself to En Marche! and a prospective presidential campaign.
Declared presidential candidacy
Formally announced run for the French presidency on 16 November 2016, calling for a 'democratic revolution'.
Published book 'Révolution'
Released his book Révolution on 24 November 2016, outlining his vision for France; reached top‑seller lists.
Campaign reported raising €3.7 million in donations
By December 2016 Macron's campaign reported €3.7M raised (three times the man‑front runner Alain Juppé's budget at that time).
Won first round of presidential election
Topped the first round on 23 April 2017 with ~24% of the vote, advancing to the runoff against Marine Le Pen.
MacronLeaks hacking and data dump
Campaign suffered a coordinated data leak (~14.5 GB of emails/documents) on 5 May 2017 attributed to actors linked to Russian‑backed groups; effect limited.
Elected President of France (first term)
Won second round on 7 May 2017 with approximately 66% of the vote; became youngest president in French history at age 39.
Inaugurated as President and Co‑Prince of Andorra
Assumed the presidency on 14 May 2017; concurrently became Co‑Prince of Andorra; received automatic Grand Master & Grand Cross Legion of Honour.
Appointed Édouard Philippe Prime Minister
On 15 May 2017 Macron appointed Édouard Philippe as head of government.
LREM wins majority in National Assembly (legislative elections)
In June 2017 legislative elections, Macron's newly formed party (renamed La République En Marche!) won a decisive parliamentary majority—308 of 577 seats.
Signed European cooperation road‑map with Germany
Early foreign policy focus included close coordination with Germany and calls for EU reform (post‑inauguration visits and treaties).
Addressed joint meeting of the US Congress
Gave a notable speech to US Congress on 25 April 2018 pressing for multilateralism and climate action.
Received multiple foreign state honours (2018)
Received several foreign honours in 2018, including Grand Crosses and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa (South Korea), Order of the Elephant (Denmark), Order of the White Rose (Finland) among others.
Yellow Vests (gilets jaunes) protests begin
Mass protests erupted in late 2018 in response to fuel taxes and perceived inequalities; sustained unrest into 2019 and beyond.
Notre‑Dame fire and national fundraising
Fire gutted Notre‑Dame Cathedral on 15 April 2019 (planning and fundraising followed in 2019); Macron pledged rebuilding and fundraising raised hundreds of millions.
Continued domestic reforms and protests
Faced ongoing protests and strikes (yellow vests, later pension debates) as his administration pushed labour/tax reforms.
Announced COVID‑19 closures (schools, restaurants, parks)
On 12 March 2020 Macron announced closures and on 16 March ordered lockdown; led national pandemic response and vaccination rollout thereafter.
Tested positive for COVID‑19
Announced positive COVID test on 17 December 2020 and self‑isolated for a week.
AUKUS dispute with US/Australia; trade agreements with China (~€40B)
Oversaw diplomatic disputes over the AUKUS pact (2021) and conducted substantial trade/business agreements with China (~€40B during trade tensions).
Assaulted (slapped) in public
On 8 June 2021 Macron was slapped in the face by a man during a public event; attacker later sentenced.
Re‑elected President of France (second term)
Won the presidential runoff on 24 April 2022 defeating Marine Le Pen with ~58.5% of the vote; first French president reelected since 2002.
Centrist coalition loses parliamentary majority (hung parliament)
June 2022 legislative elections deprived Macron's coalition of an absolute majority, resulting in a minority government and tense parliamentary dynamics.
Used Article 49.3 to pass budget bill
In October 2022 Macron triggered Article 49.3 to pass the government's budget without a vote in the National Assembly.
Continued leadership in foreign policy (Ukraine/Russia condemnation, Opération Chammal)
Led France's participation in international response to Russian invasion of Ukraine and continued counter‑IS operations (Opération Chammal).
Pension reform passed using Article 49.3 (retirement age raised)
In March 2023 the government used Article 49.3 to pass pension reform raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030; sparked strikes and protests.
Appointed Gabriel Attal as Prime Minister
After government instability in January 2024 Macron appointed Gabriel Attal as Prime Minister (Attal became youngest PM in French history).
Snap election produced hung parliament; subsequent appointments of PMs
After snap election results and continued instability, Macron appointed Michel Barnier as Prime Minister (conservative, former Brexit negotiator), then replaced him with François Bayrou after Barnier was toppled by a no‑confidence vote.
Faced repeated electoral setbacks and coalition defeats
His centrist coalition suffered electoral defeats in 2024 European and snap legislative elections resulting in historic parliamentary instability and minority governments.
Dissolved National Assembly and called snap legislative election
Following a heavy defeat in the 2024 European Parliament elections, Macron dissolved the National Assembly (9 June 2024) and called a snap parliamentary election.
Continued international initiatives and honors (ongoing)
Continued to play a leading role on European issues, climate, and international diplomacy; received various state honors (Italy collar 1 July 2021; others in 2018–2019 already listed).
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