Natacha Rey dies following legal battle over Brigitte Macron claims

Natacha Rey, an independent investigator known for her controversial research regarding Brigitte Macron, died on September 13, 2026, in Saintes, France, following a battle with cancer.

Rey gained international attention starting in 2021 for her claims concerning the genealogy and past of the French First Lady. Her work led to significant legal battles, including a defamation lawsuit involving Brigitte Macron and her brother. While she was initially convicted in a lower court in September 2024, she was later acquitted by the Paris Court of Appeal on July 10, 2025.

Her lawyer, François Danglehant, announced on the day of her death that she had achieved a definitive legal victory in the defamation proceedings. Her passing was publicly announced on September 18 by Xavier Poussard.