The polished corridors of the Élysée Palace are rarely strangers to political intrigue, yet the latest controversy swirling around President Emmanuel Macron has shifted the spotlight from policy to the private lives ofFrench first couple. Now, a fresh set of allegations has drawn an acclaimed international film star into the narrative, placing her name alongside that of the French head of state and igniting a media storm that blurs the line between public office and personal life.
According to a newly published book, 'Un Couple (Presque) Parfait' ['An (Almost) Perfect Couple'], French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a 'flirty' text with Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani, and they had a 'platonic relationship' for months. French First Lady Brigitte Macron reportedly discovered the exchange on his phone and was so infuriated that she slapped him. The incident was captured on camera upon their arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam, in May 2025.
Golshifteh Farahani is a 42-year-old talent whose career has spanned several continents and diverse genres. Born in Tehran in 1983, she became a household name in her home country before her work in Western cinema led to her eventual exile.
She is perhaps best known to global audiences for her roles in high-octane action films and critically acclaimed dramas. Her filmography includes the 2020 Netflix hit 'Extraction', where she starred alongside Chris Hemsworth, and the 2016 film 'Paterson'.
On the small screen, she has played a leading role in the Apple TV+ science fiction series 'Invasion', which has solidified her status as a versatile performer in the industry.
Golshifteh Farahani moved to Paris after facing backlash and restrictions from Iranian authorities following her appearance in the 2008 Hollywood film 'Body of Lies', including controversy over appearing without a headscarf.'
Public interest in the actress has intensified following the publication of the book 'An (Almost) Perfect Couple' on Wednesday. The text details an incident that reportedly occurred during a foreign trip last year, involving a physical confrontation between the French President and his wife.
According to the author and journalist Florian Tardif, Brigitte discovered a 'message that she was not meant to read.' 'I find you very pretty,' Emmanuel reportedly texted Farahani, according to Tardif's book serialised inParis Match. The steamy exchange reportedly led to a 'dispute [that was] longer and harsher than usual,' referring to the infamous slapping incident.
'[This] led to tensions within the couple, which resulted in this private scene becoming public,' Tardif continued. 'What hurt Brigitte was not so much the contents of the message as what it hinted at: a possibility ... nothing tangible or that could really be denounced but the idea alone ... was enough.'
The author claimed to have spoken to a friend of Brigitte, who told him that at the time 'She [Brigitte] saw herself being erased.'
Source: International Business Times UK
