Nicolas Sarkozy.

Nicolas Sarkozy’s father, Pal Sarkozy, was a Hungarian count who fled to France after World War II. Sarkozy was born on 28 January 1955 in Paris to Pal and Andree Mallah, a French mother. He studied law and political science at Paris Nanterre University, Sciences Po, and other institutions, graduating as a lawyer. At age 28, he became mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1983, holding that position for 19 years.

Sarkozy entered the French National Assembly in 1988 for the RPR party. From 1993 to 1995, he served as Budget Minister and government spokesman under Prime Minister Edouard Balladur. In 2002, he returned as Minister of the Interior, taking a tough stance on crime. In 2004, he became Finance Minister but lost the position after a clash with President Chirac. Sarkozy then led the UMP party and won the 2007 presidential election, defeating Segolene Royal. His presidency focused on economic reforms, immigration controls, and a prominent role in European affairs during the 2008 financial crisis.

Sarkozy has been married three times. He first married Marie-Dominique Culioli in 1983; they had two sons, Pierre and Jean. In 1996, he married Cecilia Albeniz and had a son, Louis, before divorcing in 2007. He then married Italian-French singer Carla Bruni at the Elysee Palace in 2008; they have a daughter, Giulia. Sarkozy’s brother-in-law is actress Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. His family background includes Hungarian nobility and Greek descent through his mother.

Nicolas Sarkozy broke with traditional Gaullist orthodoxy as president, earning the nickname The Bling Bling President for his flashy style. His tough law-and-order policies and 2007 electoral victory reshaped the French right. He appeared in documentaries and films as himself, including 60 Minutes and The Billionaire, the Butler, and the Boyfriend. After his presidency, he continued in politics and publishing, despite legal challenges. His five-year presidency influenced French conservative politics.