Emmanuel Macron aims to formalize the role of first lady, saying his wife "will have a voice there." Brigitte Macron, his former drama teacher and 24 years his senior, has always been a strong influence. She left her first husband to support the ambitious Macron, edited his speeches during the campaign and managed his stage presence. Originally from Amiens, she comes from a family of chocolatiers.

When outgoing President Francois Hollande was elected in 2012, he celebrated with his partner Valerie Trierweiler (at left). In addition to her busy life as a journalist and talk show host, she took on the duties as France's first lady - until celebrity magazine "Closer" exposed Hollande's secret trysts with actress Julie Gayet (right) in 2014. Trierweiler has since published a tell-all memoir.

Carla Bruni, the wife of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, is a native of Italy. She first rose to fame as a model for many of the world's top fashion designers but later shifted her focus to music, finding success with her debut album, "Quelqu'un m'a dit," in 2002. She married Sarkozy in 2008, but largely stayed out of the political spotlight. At 49, she remains a style icon to this day.

As first lady from 1995 to 2007, Bernadette Chirac was influential in her husband's success. But she also pursued her own political career. In 1971, she was elected to the municipal council in her home of Sarran, in the Correze constituency. Since 1979, she has served on the departmental council. She also heads up several charities, including Pieces Jaunes, helping children in French hospitals.

France's first Socialist first lady once said "there is no traditional role" for a president's wife. And Danielle Mitterrand (right) was proof. Rather than stay on the sidelines like her predecessors, the outspoken Mitterrand supported many left-leaning causes worldwide, from the Zapatistas in Mexico (above) to ethnic minorities such as Kurds and Tibetans, and opposed out-of-control capitalism.

Unlike Mitterrand, Claude Pompidou (in white) - first lady from 1969 to 1974 - preferred to stay out of the spotlight, away from the pressures of political life. But she was committed to philanthropy, and set up a foundation to help disabled children, hospital patients and the elderly. And without her, the famed Pompidou Center and its modern art collection would never have seen the light of day.

The wife of the famous General Charles de Gaulle was a fervent Catholic, known as Tante (Aunt) Yvonne for her devotion to family and opposition to prostitution, divorce - and the miniskirt, which she hoped de Gaulle would ban in 1960s France (to no avail). But she was also praised for her cool head in the face of danger, when the couple survived an assassination attempt by machine gun in 1962.

First lady from 1887 to 1894, Cecile Carnot was very involved with life at the Elysee Palace. During her time there, the first couple undertook - and paid for - the electrification of the palace. She organized lavish balls and garden parties, and introduced the Elysee Christmas party for children of Elysee staff and other children in need, a tradition which continues to this day.

Brigitte Macron, wife of France's President-elect Emmanuel Macron, has been an integral part of her husband's winning campaign. At 64, she is his closest adviser, managing his agenda, editing his speeches and advising him on his stage presence. She plans to redefine the role of first lady, aiming to help disadvantaged youth. The president-elect has often said, "Her view matters to me."

Born Brigitte Marie-Claude Trogneux, Macron is 24 years older than her husband. They met when he was 15 and still at school in Amiens, in northern France. She was a teacher, he was a member of her drama club. He moved to Paris to finish school but continued to pursue her, and they eventually married in 2007. She has three adult children from a previous marriage, and is a grandmother to seven.

The wife of US Republican President Donald Trump saw her own share of controversy during Trump's presidential campaign, including allegations that she plagiarized a speech by Michelle Obama. The native Slovenian and former model had to grow a thick skin in next to no time. Born Melanija Knavs, she is Trump's third wife and 24 years his junior - the same age gap as France's Macron and his wife.

In 2009, Michelle Obama became the first black first lady in US history. The graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School is admired not only for her accomplished past, but also as a style icon. She accompanied her husband on numerous official visits - and always dazzled in creative outfits that matched her gracious manner. Here, she's in the White House Garden, which she initiated.

Hillary Clinton's two attempts at entering the White House as president both failed. The dream of having the first female US president remains an elusive one, with Trump declaring victory after the November 8 election. During her time as first lady (1992-2000), Clinton was widely regarded as a "secret" vice president and key aide to her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Originally from Italy, Carla Bruni Sarkozy rose to fame as a model and singer. She began studies in art and architecture, but broke them off at the age of 19. She found success with music, especially with the album "Quelqu'un m'a dit" in 2002. In 2008, she married then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Today, Bruni Sarkozy is still a style icon.

The mother of four has been queen of Jordan since 1999, at the side of her husband King Abdullah II. She is known for her social commitment in Jordan and abroad. Rania has participated in demonstrations against the so-called "Islamic State," and met with Syrian refugees in Greece. For her efforts she received the Walther Rathenau Prize from Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2015.

She is queen of Swaziland - but one of many, because King Mswati III has 15 wives. But Queen LaMbikiza is the one that accompanies the king at most of his representative occasions - and steals the show with her striking gowns. At home, LaMbikiza is known for her fight against HIV and AIDS.

The widow of assassinated US President John F. Kennedy is adored to this day. Jacqueline "Jackie" Bouvier Kennedy, born in 1929, came from New York's upper class and had French roots. Jackie and her husband, whom she married in 1953, were the most glamorous presidential couple ever to move into the White House. Her sense of style made her a legend beyond her time as a first lady. She died in 1994.

The successful Hollywood actress, who starred opposite Gary Cooper and Clark Gable, became Princess Grace of Monaco in 1956. But there were rumors throughout her life that she wasn't happy with her marriage. Kelly is even supposed to have said that her wedding was the worst day of her life. In 1982, she died at the age of 52 in a car accident - and became a legend.

Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari was the wife of the last shah of Iran. In 1951, at the tender age of 19, she married Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who ruled the country from 1967 until he was overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Soraya spoke fluent German and French, and loved riding and skiing. Her marriage with the shah was annulled after seven years because the couple couldn't have children.

This lady was known for her love of luxury and her eccentricities. The former beauty queen was the woman at the side of Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th president of the Philippines from 1966 to 1986. Imelda became world famous for her record-breaking shoe collection, which contained several thousand designer pairs.