Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement National, publicly confirmed his romantic relationship with Maria Carolina de Bourbon on April 21, 2024 [1].
The announcement marks a shift in the public profile of the political leader, as he seeks to define the role of his partner in the public eye while managing media speculation.
Bardella spoke about the relationship during the "Grande Interview" on CNews and in a TF1 Info YouTube podcast titled "Darius Libre" [1, 2]. He said that the relationship is serious, using the phrase "C’est du sérieux" [1].
Addressing the nature of their partnership, Bardella said he does not want her to be perceived merely as his companion. He said that she exists as a woman with her own professional and personal ambitions [2]. This clarification aimed to correct media perceptions that Maria Carolina is defined solely by her association with him [2].
Bardella also addressed the difficulty of maintaining their privacy before the announcement. He said, "We couldn't keep hiding" [3].
Despite the confirmation of the relationship, Bardella denied reports regarding a secret getaway to Corsica with Maria Carolina [1]. While some media interpreted his comments about hiding the relationship as a hint at private trips, Bardella said the Corsica rumors were baseless [1, 3].
Maria Carolina de Bourbon, also referred to as Maria Carolina de Bourbon-Dos Sicilias, is described by Bardella as an independent professional [2].
““C’est du sérieux””
By proactively confirming his relationship and emphasizing his partner's professional autonomy, Bardella is attempting to control his personal narrative. This move seeks to prevent his private life from becoming a liability or a distraction through tabloid speculation, while simultaneously framing his partner as an independent peer rather than a political accessory.
