Emmanuel Macron
Who was Emmanuel Macron?
French president since 2017 and former investment banker who founded the En Marche! political movement.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Emmanuel Macron (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron was born on December 21, 1977, in Amiens, France. He studied at several top schools, starting at La Providence and then moving to Lycée Henri-IV in Paris. He later attended Paris Nanterre University and Sciences Po, graduating from the École nationale d'administration (ENA) in 2004, a common route to high-level roles in French government.
After finishing his studies, Macron worked as a financial inspector at the French Ministry of Economy and Finance from 2004 to 2008. He then switched to the private sector, joining Rothschild & Cie investment bank in 2008, and became a partner in 2010. At Rothschild, he advised on major corporate deals and mergers, building a name for himself in financial circles. During this time, he also advised President François Hollande from 2012 to 2014.
In 2014, Macron became Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs under Prime Minister Manuel Valls, serving until 2016. His time as minister included economic reforms, like the debated Macron Law aimed at liberalizing parts of France's economy. In April 2016, he started his own political movement, En Marche! (later Renaissance), offering a centrist option to the usual left-right politics.
Macron's 2017 presidential run was successful, leading him to a second-round face-off against Marine Le Pen of the National Rally. He won the presidency with 66.1% of the vote, making him France's youngest president at age 39. His first term dealt with economic reforms, European integration, and climate change efforts. He was re-elected in 2022, again beating Le Pen in the second round, though with a smaller margin of 58.5%.
As president, Macron has faced many challenges including the Yellow Vest protests, the COVID-19 pandemic, and international issues such as the war in Ukraine. His marriage to Brigitte Macron, his former high school teacher who is 24 years older, has received a lot of media attention throughout his career.
Before Fame
Macron grew up in a middle-class family in Amiens, with his parents working as doctors. He showed academic talent early on, winning the Concours général in 1994, a respected national competition for French high school students. His education through France's top institutions followed the usual path for those aiming to become leaders in the country's political and administrative fields.
In France, the late 20th and early 21st centuries were marked by economic difficulties, closer ties with Europe, and a search for political change beyond the usual Socialist and Gaullist parties. This setting offered a chance for technocrats with experience in both public and private sectors to become political figures, especially those who could balance European goals with French national interests.
Key Achievements
- Became the youngest President in French history at age 39
- Successfully founded and led En Marche! movement from creation to presidential victory in one year
- Implemented significant labor market reforms (ordonnances) early in his presidency
- Played a leading role in European Union policy coordination during multiple crises
- Won re-election in 2022, becoming the first French president to secure a second term since Jacques Chirac
Did You Know?
- 01.He met his future wife Brigitte when she was his drama teacher at La Providence high school in Amiens, where he played the lead role in a play she was directing
- 02.Before entering politics, he earned significant fees as an investment banker, reportedly making over 2 million euros from the Nestlé-Pfizer deal in 2012
- 03.He has never held elected office before becoming President of France, making him unusual among French presidents
- 04.His political movement En Marche! was named to match his initials (EM) and reflect the idea of France 'on the move'
- 05.He worked as an editorial assistant for the philosopher Paul Ricoeur, helping him with his memoirs
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour | 2017 | — |
| Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit | 2017 | — |
| Charlemagne Prize | 2018 | — |
| Concours général | 1994 | — |
| Grand Officer of the Order of the Southern Cross | 2012 | — |
| Commander of the Order of the British Empire | 2014 | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer | 2017 | — |
| Grand Cross of the National Order of the Lion | 2018 | — |
| Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland | 2018 | — |
| Knight of the Order of the Elephant | 2018 | — |
| Time 100 | 2018 | — |
| Knight of the Seraphim | 2024 | — |
| Order of the Republic | 2024 | — |
| Cross of the Seven Arms | 2024 | — |
| Order of the Bath | — | — |
| Order of the British Empire | — | — |
| Order of Leopold | — | — |
| Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | — | — |
| Order of the Redeemer | — | — |
| Order of the Netherlands Lion | — | — |
| Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau | — | — |
| Order of the White Rose of Finland | — | — |
| Order of Zayed | — | — |
| Order of Merit | — | — |
| Order of the Nile | — | — |
| Order of the Republic | — | — |
| National Order of the Lion of Senegal | — | — |
| National Order of the Ivory Coast | — | — |
| Order of the Aztec Eagle | — | — |
| Royal Order of the Seraphim | — | — |
| Order of the Southern Cross | — | — |
| Grand Order of Mugunghwa | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav | 2025 | — |
| Gold Olympic Order | 2024 | — |
| National Order of Merit | — | — |
| Order of the Elephant | — | — |
| Order of Mohammed | — | — |
| Order of Liberty | — | — |
| Order of Saint-Charles | — | — |
| Order of St. Olav | — | — |
| Olympic Order | — | — |
| Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean | — | — |