Numerous conspiracy theories claiming that Brigitte Macron was born a man and transitioned to a woman in her thirties have been intensely targeting France’s First Lady for over four years.
Two women, who were the most vocal proponents of this story, were initially sued, but a few days ago, they were acquitted of defamation charges and allowed to continue “speaking freely” on the matter. This was enough encouragement for them, and for the public, to rekindle the rumors and, in the process, circulate photos of Brigitte from her “bachelor period.”
On Thursday, judges at the Paris Court of Appeal ruled that Amanda Rua (53), a psychic, and Natacha Rey (49), a blogger, had a full legal right to present their controversial claims regarding Brigitte Macron.
Both women claimed they were subjected to “intimidation by authorities,” while “ultra-protected” members of the Parisian elite tried to cover up a “state secret.” In this light, a photograph of the French President’s wife before her alleged gender change appeared on social media platform X, sparking strong reactions.
The French Journalist Natacha Rey, who claimed that Macron's wife was born male, has been aquitted by a Paris court, according to their lawyer
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) July 10, 2025
Rey now apparently intends to sue Brigitte Macron for 'fraud' pic.twitter.com/uhMMNK5m8q
Brigitte Macron is Devastated
Lawyers representing Brigitte Macron (72) stated that she was “devastated” by this decision and announced they would take the case to the French Court of Cassation – the country’s highest judicial instance. Brigitte was not present at the hearing, as she was returning from a state visit to the United Kingdom with her husband, President Emmanuel Macron.
Rua and Rey published a four-hour video in December 2021, in which they claimed that the First Lady of France was actually born a boy named Jean-Michel Trogneux in 1953 – which, incidentally, is the name of her brother.
I've been listening to Candace Owen's series "Becoming Brigitte."
— 🇨🇦Unacceptable Canadian Girl🇨🇦 (@AreOhEssEyeEe) June 17, 2025
I am now convinced that Brigitte Macron is, in fact, a man. pic.twitter.com/qwNMK5q5Ua
They also claimed that André-Louis Auzière, her first husband, never actually existed before his alleged death in 2020, at the age of 68. The two women were originally convicted in Lisieux, Normandy, where each was fined approximately 1,700 euros for defamation. After appeals, Amandine Rua’s fine was reduced to 850 euros, while Natacha Rey’s 1,300 euros was conditionally waived – she only paid 400.
Now, neither of them has to pay anything anymore, and the ruling also allows them to repeat the same claims.
Rua’s lawyer, Maude Marian, stated: “We are acquitted!” while Rey’s lawyer, François Dangelin, also expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
They were not present for the verdict. Brigitte Macron sued them for defamation in January 2022. The court ruled today that 18 disputed excerpts from the video “do not constitute defamation” but were expressed in “good faith as a form of free speech.”
Brigitte Macron Faces Increasingly Strong Accusations
Brigitte Macron is increasingly a target of criticism, both in France and abroad.
The controversial book “Becoming Brigitte,” written by journalist Xavier Pousard, further fuels conspiracy theories, as do the statements of American influencer Candace Owens. Meanwhile, four men are preparing for trial due to cyber harassment, which will take place before the Criminal Court in Paris. They are accused of comparing the First Lady of France to a pedophile.
A spokesperson for the Paris prosecutor’s office said: “The trial will address numerous malicious comments about Brigitte Macron’s gender, sexuality, and age difference with her husband, where she was repeatedly compared to a pedophile.”
He also stated that on August 27, she filed a formal complaint for cyber harassment, which is a criminal offense punishable by up to two years in prison.
Among the accused is Aurélien Poirson-Atlan (41), known on social media under the pseudonym “Zoe Sagan,” where he spreads conspiracy theories. His lawyer, Joan Branco, stated that the case is “clearly politically motivated,” and criticized his client’s detention for “expressing an opinion publicly.”
Family Tragedy and Private Tensions
Brigitte Macron was on a state visit to the United Kingdom, even though her older sister, Anne-Marie Trogneux (93), recently passed away, which, according to close associates, deeply affected the First Lady.
“Madame Macron adored her sister and is struggling with her loss, but she felt it was her duty to travel to the UK, even though she is in a period of mourning,” a source said.
Source: Blic Photo: X