Cecilia's foreign roots match
those of Nicolas Sarkozy

Of Jewish-Spanish ancestry, Cecilia´s foreign roots match those of Sarkozy. Cecilia Sarkozy, whose husband the Jewish Nicolas was elected as France´s new president, is a fiercely independent former model and PR executive unlikely to fit easily into the discreet role of first lady.

In 2004 she made a point of saying that she did "not have a drop of French blood in my veins."

Cecilia met Nicolas Sarkozy in 1984 when he officiated as mayor at her first wedding. According to a recent biography, he was infatuated by her on the spot and pursued her till their marriage 12 years later.

Together they had four children from their first marriages -- she two girls, he two boys -- and in 1997 they had a son of their own, Louis.

Despite her protestations about not fitting the mould of first lady, and despite the rumours of marital problems, family friends insist the couple are still together and that Cecilia intends to join him at the Elysee - possibly acting as a communications adviser.