Cecilia Ciganer-Albeniz, 50, widely acknowledged as the ex-wife of French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, just married her long-time boyfriend, Richard Attias, 48, last Sunday. The happy couple was ecstatic to commemorate their relationship with a glamorous and long-awaited wedding celebration.
The pair met in 2005 when Sarkozy and Ciganer-Albeniz was still married, and shortly after Ciganer-Albeniz gave birth to Sarkozy’s baby, Louis. During this time, Ciganer was humiliated to find that Sarkozy was publicly unfaithful to her. After being on the receiving end of her husband’s various scandals, Ciganer had no reservations in starting one of her own.

In 2005, she and Attias began much-talked about affair that went on for a year. Their relationship was rumored to be tumultuous and passionate while it lasted, coming to an end in 2006 when Ciganar-Albeniz chose to go back to her husband; who, in the meantime, had been romantically linked with French journalist, Anne Fulda.

Their sudden reconciliation occurred ironically around the same time Sarkozy was running for the French presidency. A friend of Ciganer’s was later reported saying, “She went back to him because she didn’t want his defeat blamed on her. She doesn’t love him, but she wanted to show him that she gave everything up for him.” In his book, Testimony, Sarkozy claimed that Ciganer was his soul-mate and strength, believing that they would be together forever. Their relationship came to a grinding halt a few months later. 

Ciganer expressed a contrary perspective on the marriage to the L’Est Republican in October 19, 2007 when she said, “What happened to me has happened to millions of people: one day you no longer have your place in the couple. The couple is no longer the essential thing of your life. It no longer functions: it no longer works.” She further admitted that she had fallen head over heels with Attias, and had been secretly planning her divorce since April 2007. Every public appearance she made with Sarkozy after that point had been staged.

Since last year, Ciganer and Attias have been as happy as two people can possibly be, busy planning the most important moment of their entire lives. Just last week they jetted off to Paris in order to further prep for the nuptials.

Attias, born and raised in Morocco, is a public relations executive and very much in love with his new bride. Presently the two are in the process of moving Ciganer-Albeniz’ belongings into Attias’ home in Greenwich, Connecticut. Despite his demanding schedule, he still manages to make time for Ciganer in every way that he can. The night before the wedding, the two were spotted at the Broadway show of Mamma Mia, in New York City, enjoying their last moments of pre-wedding bliss.