Report: Sarkozy's ex-wife to marry boyfriend

Mar 6, 2008, 10:24 GMT

Cecilia Ciganer-Albeniz -EPA/MAXPPP/MARLENE AWAD

Paris - The ex-wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Cecilia Ciganer-Albeniz, will marry her boyfriend, French media reported Thursday, citing the Italian fashion house Versace, who will be dressing the bride and groom.

According to Versace, Ciganer-Albeniz and advertising executive Richard Attias will tie the knot in New York City sometime in March. Some sources have given the date as March 22.

Ciganer-Albeniz and Sarkozy announced their divorce in October of last year. One month later, the French president met singer Carla Bruni and carried out a highly publicized courtship that ended with their marriage in early February.

Like Bruni, the 50-year-old Ciganer-Albaniz is a former fashion model.

In 2005, when Sarkozy was interior minister, Cecilia left him for Attias, following him to Cannes and New York City. She returned to Sarkozy in 2006 and was at his side during his successful campaign for the presidency.

However, the marriage to Attias is certain to revive rumours that she came back to Sarkozy only to help him in his campaign. In a book published after her divorce, Ciganer-Albeniz described the Moroccan-born Attias as the great love of her life.

The marriage will be Ciganer-Albeniz's third. It will be the first for the 48-year-old Attias.