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Sarkozy collapse blamed on Carla’s health regime
Peter Allen, in Paris28.07.09
A health regime aimed at making Nicolas Sarkozy as slim and fit as his wife Carla Bruni was today blamed for causing him to collapse while jogging and suffer a heart scare.
The 54-year-old French president left the Val-de-Grace Military Hospital in Paris today after being kept in overnight. His wife was at his side as the couple shook the hands of staff.
“Thank you so much — you've been wonderful,” said Ms Bruni, who looked pale and wore casual clothes. Mr Sarkozy, who was back in his suit and tie, said: “I feel fine.”
Friends suggested that trying to keep up with 41-year-old Ms Bruni had been a disaster waiting to happen.
The 5ft 5in head of state staggered, appeared to faint and fell to the ground while jogging in parkland surrounding the Palace of Versailles yesterday.
Patrick Balkany, a close friend and MP, said Mr Sarkozy was constantly dieting and added: “Recently the president has looked very honed. He looks more like a Tour de France rider than a president. He is going to have to take more care, work a little less hard and eat a little bit more.”
Since marrying Ms Bruni last year following a whirlwind romance of 80 days, Mr Sarkozy has been trying to appear as youthful and fashionable as the supermodel-turned-pop star who introduced him to controlled eating and Julie Imperiali, a 26-year-old fitness instructor.
Meanwhile the president's increasingly frenetic and energy-sapping workload has included accompanying Ms Bruni to the theatre and to concerts — events he seldom bothered with in the past.
Last weekend he paid a lightning visit to New York to watch his wife perform at a charity gig celebrating Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday. Ms Bruni has been with Mr Sarkozy since rushing on a motor scooter to the spot where he collapsed.
It is the second time during his presidency that Mr Sarkozy has been taken to hospital. In 2007, the day after his divorce from second wife Cecilia, doctors at Val-de-Grace treated him for a high fever and a throat abscess.
It was confirmed that Mr Sarkozy had postponed a planned visit to the Mont St Michel Abbey in Normandy tomorrow but he hopes to chair the last cabinet meeting before the summer holidays on Wednesday. He will then leave for the Riviera for a long break at Ms Bruni's family home.
The Elysée Palace said “intense physical exercise” had caused his ailment. A spokesman claimed the president did not faint, but had to “lie down with the help of an aide”.
His office said tests had not revealed any underlying heart problems and that doctors said his illness was due to heat and overwork and had ordered him to rest.
Reader views (10)
A minor setback for someone who trying to change has lifestyle and become more healthy, but because he is a celebrity the media goes gaga. If Carla is working to make her husband more healthy the people of France should be grateful. As for you scornful naysayers, sit around and gloat, and enjoy your heart attacks!
- Doug Corby, Annapolis, USA
I lived in France for 5 years. My experience is that the woman are often boss. The men tend to get what they want from sources other than their wives.
- Barns, Durban, South Africa
Usual story, aging celeb politician trying to keep up with younger trophy wife. Clinton once famously collaped whilst ut jogging and had to keep off the pies and burgers for a while. It could never happen in Britain.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
I am sure she loves him for who he is not what he is, and that she wouldn't be so cruel as to try to alter him.
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs
Can you imagine de Gaulle, Churchill, Eden, or any other politician of status trying to keep up with his wife in this way? Pathetic. The world has been feminised and I don't think that that is good thing (by the way I am female). Bring back real men.
- Yanoudi, London UK
Apparently lots of rich and famous men have found her attractive. Puzzling. There are 3 more attractive women in an average London Tube carriage at any one time.
- Mikes, London
He certainly looks haggard in this picture. Rather funny the way a world leader is being depicted as someone on a very short leash held by a model and "singer". What does this say about the fragility of the male ego?
- Melanie, milton keynes, bucks
What an idiot. Can he not see that the whole marriage was/is useful to his wife's career hopes (note it is Carla who volunteers to sing at all these charity events, no one actually asks her!)
- Marianne, SW France/London
What Ed says.
People seem to think if you are not chasing your own tail then you are doing something wrong or are wasting your life.
Good luck to them anyone want stress come and get mine you can have it for free.
- Russell, London
Unfortunately in this age people think "work hard, play hard" is the way forward. I see so many people who work till post-midnight and then party and getting 3 hours sleep each day think they are "living the life." When in fact, illness / chronic pain etc. will just catch up later in life
- Ed, London
