Why was Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to jail?

Carla Bruni, the Italian-born model-turned-singer and France’s former first lady, is once again in the spotlight — this time not for her music or fashion, but for her steadfast loyalty to her husband, Nicolas Sarkozy.

On Thursday, Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was handed a five-year jail sentence after being convicted of criminal conspiracy tied to campaign financing from Libya. The ruling, unprecedented in modern French history, makes him the first former president who could actually serve time behind bars. Sarkozy, 70, has vowed to appeal, declaring with defiance, “If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high.”

Standing beside him through the ordeal was Bruni, 57, who took to Instagram to post a message that was as much about resilience as it was about love: “Love is the answer,” she wrote, adding the hashtag #hatewillnotwin. Later, leaving court, she fiercely shielded her husband from the media, even snatching a microphone cover from the investigative outlet Mediapart and tossing it to the ground.

The couple’s relationship has always captured public imagination. Sarkozy married Bruni in 2008 after a whirlwind romance that began just months into his presidency, following his very public separation from his second wife, Cecilia. Together, they brought a touch of glamour and unconventional energy to the French presidency. Bruni posed for iconic photographs, dazzled at state visits, and even immortalized her husband in song — once calling him “a pirate with a necktie” who never gives up.

They share a daughter, born in 2011, while Bruni also has a son from a previous relationship. Before marrying Sarkozy — her first husband — she had been linked to intellectuals and rock legends alike, including Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton, earning a reputation as a self-described “man tamer.”

Sarkozy’s legal troubles, however, have been relentless. The Libyan campaign financing case dates back to 2013, when Mediapart published a leaked Libyan intelligence note alleging that Muammar Gaddafi’s regime bankrolled his 2007 presidential run. Years of investigation followed, culminating in this week’s dramatic verdict.

Despite his conviction, Sarkozy remains a towering figure on the French right, admired by allies like new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who recently turned to him for counsel. For many, his fall from grace has been a shock; for Bruni, it has been another test of devotion.

Through it all, their partnership — glamorous, passionate, and now defiant — continues to play out on the world stage, a mix of politics, romance, and resilience that France, and the world, cannot stop watching.

FAQ Section

Who is Nicolas Sarkozy?
Nicolas Sarkozy is the former President of France, serving from 2007 to 2012. He has faced multiple legal challenges since leaving office, including the recent conviction in a Libyan campaign-financing case.

Why was Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to jail?
He was sentenced to five years for criminal conspiracy, after being found guilty of accepting illicit funds from Muammar Gaddafi’s regime to finance his 2007 presidential campaign. Sarkozy denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal.

What did Carla Bruni say after the verdict?
Carla Bruni, his wife and former supermodel-turned-singer, posted on Instagram: “Love is the answer. Hate will not win.” She also stood by Sarkozy outside the courtroom, showing public support.

Is Sarkozy the first French president to face jail?
Yes, his sentence marks the first time in modern French history that a former president faces actual jail time, though his appeal could delay or change the outcome.

When did Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni get married?
The pair married in 2008, just months into Sarkozy’s presidency, after a whirlwind romance that captured global attention.

Do Sarkozy and Carla Bruni have children together?
Yes, they share a daughter born in 2011. Bruni also has a son from a previous relationship.

What impact does Sarkozy still have in French politics?
Despite his legal battles, Sarkozy remains influential, especially on the French right. Even new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu recently sought his political advice.