French President Nicolas Sarkozy would marry his girl friend, former supermodel Carla Bruni on Feb. 8 or 9, media reported on Monday.
The report said that in December -- less than a month after Sarkozy met Bruni -- he gave her a heart-shaped diamond engagement ring.
Carla Bruni, Italian singer, former model and girlfriend of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, holds the hand of her son Aurelien while wearing a pink heart-shaped ring during a visit to the ancient Jordanian ruins of Petra Jan. 5, 2008. French newspapers reported Sunday that Sarkozy gave Bruni an engagement ring and could marry her early in February.
Sarkozy and his wife of 11 years, Cecilia, divorced in October. Their marital problems became well known in May 2005 when she appeared in public at the side of event organizer Richard Attias.
A marriage to Bruni, a one-time star of the catwalks who is now a singer, would be Sarkozy's third: He divorced his first wife, Marie, in the late 80s -- after he had met and befriended Cecilia.
Political analyst Dominique Moisi said that a Sarkozy proposal to Bruni could be part of his desire to head off any future controversies, and its speed would fit with his personality as a busy man in a hurry.
"Apparently, he's going to marry her, so the problem will be behind him," Moisi said. "He will multiply the opportunities to travel with her, (and) to say to the French, 'You see, I must remarry ... You need a first lady."'
"He's trying to seduce the French," Moisi said.
Bruni, an Italian-born French citizen, has dated famous men including Mick Jagger and Donald Trump. She has also reportedly been linked to singer Eric Clapton and actor Vincent Perez.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L), his girlfriend Carla Bruni (R) and her young son Aurelien (top) visit the ancient Jordanian ruins of Petra Jan. 5, 2008.
(Xinhua News Agency via agencies January 7, 2008)
