Nicolas sarkozy divorce cecilia sarkozy richard

The couple's public appearances together have grown rarer

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife of 11 years, Cecilia, have divorced "by mutual consent", according to a statement from the Elysee Palace.

The presidency's statement clarified an earlier announcement that they were to separate.

"What is intended by the word separation is divorce," it said.

The couple's lawyer said they had seen a judge to formalise the split and "there was no problem, they resolved everything amicably".

Speculation that they were to split had been mounting for months, with the media remarking on Cecilia Sarkozy's absence from her husband's side.

Cecilia Sarkozy has had a successful career as a model and parliamentary aide and has said that she never wanted to be a traditional first lady.

Nicolas sarkozy divorce cecilia sarkozy richard attias

Both were already divorcees when they married each other in , with two children each from their previous marriages.

They have a year-old son together, Louis.

Cecilia Sarkozy was on