Who Is Golshifteh Farahani, The Iranian Actress Behind French PM Macron's Slap-Gate?

A French political book is drawing attention after alleging that Emmanuel Macron exchanged personal messages with actor Golshifteh Farahani during what the author labels a "platonic relationship". The book also links these supposed conversations to a widely shared 2025 video from Vietnam involving Macron and Brigitte Macron aboard the presidential aircraft.

The publication, titled Un Couple (Presque) Parfait ("An Almost Perfect Couple"), is written by journalist Florian Tardif. The account has attracted international interest because it connects private digital exchanges, which Tardif claims lasted several months, with tensions reportedly seen between the presidential couple during a state visit to Vietnam in May 2025.

Who Is Golshifteh Farahani?

Golshifteh Farahani is an acclaimed Iranian-French actress, musician, and singer known for her roles in both Iranian arthouse cinema and major Hollywood films. Born in Tehran, she began acting at age 6 in theater and debuted in film at 14.

She gained early fame in Iran with her lead role in The Pear Tree (1998), winning Best Actress at the Fajr International Film Festival. Notable Iranian films include About Elly (2009), which won a Silver Bear at Berlin, and Half Moon (2006).

Farahani became the first Iranian actress in a major Hollywood production with Body of Lies (2008) directed by Ridley Scott, after which she was banned from returning to Iran. She later starred in Paterson (2016) with Adam Driver and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).

Born July 10, 1983, to theater director Behzad Farahani and actress Fahimeh Rahiminia, she has a sister, actress Shaghayegh Farahani. Trained in music, she plays piano and sings; she speaks French and English fluently and lives in Paris.

Macron Farahani book allegations and the Vietnam plane video

The Vietnam incident gained attention when footage showed the couple at the aircraft door in Hanoi. Brigitte Macron appeared to push or hit Emmanuel Macron’s face as they prepared to descend the steps. The brief clip circulated quickly on social media platforms and prompted broad speculation about their relationship and possible disagreements.

Some early commentators suggested the video could have been altered. French officials later confirmed that the recording was genuine, though they did not detail any specific dispute. At the time, Emmanuel Macron publicly dismissed the episode as light-hearted behaviour between spouses and criticised the intense online reaction to the clip.

Sources for Macron Farahani book allegations and missing proof

Florian Tardif, a political correspondent with Paris Match, writes that Macron and Farahani communicated privately for months. Tardif portrays the exchanges as emotionally charged yet "platonic". According to excerpts reported in French and British outlets, Brigitte Macron allegedly discovered messages, including one from the president that stated, "I find you very beautiful".

Tardif says the book draws on unnamed sources described as being close to the presidential couple. These sources allegedly recounted events on board the Vietnam-bound flight, including rising tension after Brigitte Macron supposedly saw messages involving Farahani. The author claims the disagreement intensified before the couple appeared at the doorway of the aircraft.

Macron Farahani book allegations and Farahani’s past denials

Golshifteh Farahani, an Iranian-French actor who left Iran years ago and later settled in France, has previously addressed rumours about Emmanuel Macron. In earlier interviews, Farahani rejected online claims that suggested a romantic relationship with the French president and dismissed gossip that linked personal aspects of Farahani’s life to Macron.

Despite the detailed narrative in Tardif’s book, no screenshots, official records or independently authenticated material showing the alleged messages have been released publicly. The claims therefore remain unverified, and the controversy largely centres on anonymous sourcing, Farahani’s past denials and the already viral Vietnam video involving Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron.