They always seemed a rather mismatched couple.
But now it appears that 5ft 5in Nicolas Sarkozy and his supermodel wife Carla Bruni may have found something in common – they are, if the rumour mill is to be believed, both having affairs.
And, it is alleged, their choices of adulterous lovers are typically unconventional.
Nicolas Sarkozy and his ecology minister Chantal Jouanno
The 55-year-old French president is said to be romancing his 40 – year- old ecology minister, who also happens to be a karate champion.
Meanwhile, 43-year-old Miss Bruni is rumoured to be involved with a mop-haired pop star six years her junior.
There has been speculation that the couple’s marriage would last only as long as Mr Sarkozy remained in power.
But this is the first time there have been repeated suggestions both are committing adultery, with fears the marriage is near its ‘last breaths’.
The rumours were given extra weight yesterday by their appearance on the website of leading French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.
The First Lady, now a singer herself, is said to be involved with prize-winning musician Benjamin Biolay.
A journalist at a recent ceremony where he won an award said: ‘Carla would be the first to congratulate him’.
Another reporter posted a message on Twitter reading ‘Benjamin Biolay is the bloke who – ‘, before leaving readers waiting for more.
A report on TV i-Tele after the minister’s latest karate victory concluded with the comment: ‘It’s not known whether Nicolas Sarkozy has had time to congratulate his Secretary of State for Ecology.’
Le Journal du Dimanche said: ‘A romance is said to have started a few weeks ago between the First Lady of France and music award-winner Benjamin Biolay.’
It added that the presidential marriage was ‘breathing its last breaths. Carla Bruni is in love with Benjamin Biolay and the president has found solace with Chantal Jouanno.’
Carla Bruni and Benjamin Biolay
Mr Sarkozy and Miss Bruni wed three months after meeting in November 2007.
She once remarked she is ‘easily bored by monogamy’ and her previous lovers include Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Donald Trump.
Mr Sarkozy, meanwhile, is reported to have had an affair with the woman who became his second wife while married to the mother of his two sons.
