First lady stops bogus use of her name to sell anti-wrinkle cream
BRIGITTE MACRON, the French ‘‘first lady’’, has ordered lawyers to investigate complaints that con artists used her name and face to sell anti-wrinkle cream and even claimed she had a stake in the “revolutionary” product.
Mrs Macron, 65, launched the legal action after receiving dozens of complaints from people who bought face cream from a website that wrongly claimed that she was its muse, according to Le Parisien. It also suggested she had a share in the product but could not say so for political reasons.
The advertising on the website claimed it had “an anti-wrinkle solution that could change the skin treatment industry forever!”
As proof of its revolutionary breakthrough, the “Beauty and Truth” website reportedly illustrated its claims with pictures of Mrs Macron, sometimes dubbed the French Jane Fonda and whose husband, president Emmanuel Macron, is 25 years her junior.
Anne-marie, 68, one of the duped customers, told Le Parisien: “It said that Mrs Macron was associated to the company and that Mrs Obama and [Carla] Bruni [the wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president] are good customers. I said to myself it must be serious.” The website supported its claims with false newspaper articles, including one headlined: “Exclusive: Brigitte Macron reveals her secret and sponsors call for her resignation.”
Mrs Macron has become a style icon, with her aides recently telling The Daily Telegraph: “Many women in their 60s or 70s write to Brigitte to say: ‘Merci, thank you because I didn’t know it was possible, thank you because I didn’t dare wear that sort of dress, thank you for showing that one can still seduce at 65.’” Speaking recently to Elle France, Mrs Macron said: “Of course, we have breakfast together, me and my wrinkles, him with his youth, but it’s like that. If I did not make that choice, I would have missed out on my life.”
One alleged victim told consumer magazine 60 Million de Consommateurs that she had swallowed the claims that Mrs Macron had created her own beauty company but “hadn’t informed the media to not cause confusion with the president”. She spent €3.95 (£3.50) on a free sample but failed to read the small print that said she agreed to be charged an additional €88 (£77).
Mrs Macron was said to be “really annoyed” by the use of her name. Her lawyers contacted the site, which removed any reference to her within hours. Last month, the Elysée filed a legal complaint for identity theft after con men claiming to be the first lady’s entourage requested bookings in top restaurants and places at the Australian Grand Prix.