Former Italian Prime Minister compares French President and his wife to mother and son

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appeared to mock French President Emmanuel Macron's wife, who is 24 years his senior, by describing him as "a handsome boy with a beautiful mother".

New French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife. Photo: Reuters

Speaking at an event in the town of Monza, northern Italy, on May 15, Mr. Berlusconi called Mr. Macron "a handsome 39-year-old guy," according to the Telegraph.

"He has good work experience and most importantly, a beautiful mother who held him in her arms when he was still a child," said the 80-year-old former leader.

Although not directly mentioning the name of the First Lady of FranceBrigitte Trogneux, Mr. Berlusconi's statement is believed to be intended to mock President Macron's wife, who is 24 years older.

Mr Berlusconi was notorious for his wild strip parties and affairs with young women. He is nowdate withFrancesca Pascale,49 years younger than him.

This is not the first time the former Prime MinisterItaly has made some insensitive comments. In 2008, he praised America's first black president, Barack Obama, as "handsome, young and tanned." A year later, he said that thousands of people left homeless by an earthquake in Italy thought they were just going camping.However, he believes that his critics have no sense of humor.

Mr. Berlusconi, 80 years old, and his girlfriend Francesca Pascale, 31 years old. Photo: Reuters

MacronmeetTrogneuxwhen he was a teenager and her student. The two married in 2007 and their relationship made headlines when he was elected president of France.

Mr Macron's marriage last week also became the subject of a French cartoon magazine.Charlie Hebdo. This newspaper published a picture of him standing next to his wife.64 years old pregnant with the caption "He will do miracles".

This image has received much criticism on social media and has been accused of being misogynistic.

"Hey sexist idiotsCharlie Hebdo, her age and reproductive lifeBrigitte Macron is none of your business. Do something better," one person wrote.

Mr. Macron takes office as French president

Other media outlets accused Mr Macron of being gay, claiming he could not love an older wife.

"This shows a huge amount of misogyny in France. Because if I were 20 years older than my wife, no one would doubt the legitimacy of our relationship for even a second," Macron responded to the doubts in a press statement.

GrandmaTrogneuxhas 3 children and 7 grandchildren buthas no children with Mr. Macron.

According to VNE