Image via Complex Original
Unfamiliar with the notorious N.I.C? You might not want to be so quick to veto French director Xavier Durringer's The Conquest this weekend then. The movie chronicles the rise to power of Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic. The guy is far more interesting than your average kinky politician (and trust us, the average kinkiness has gotten quite weird over the years): For starters, he's got a very public appreciation of the finer things in life, from gear to women, earning him the nickname "President Bling Bling." (Dated, yes, but have you seen that Patek Phillipe?)
In addition to staying waist-deep in unattainable timepieces and women, Sarkozy has been at the center of more controversies than DMX, getting himself in deep shit with significant others, the French Republic, and even MGMT (yes, that MGMT), which we'll delve into shortly. However, the last thing the man can be accused of is being soft. Unlike more timid souls, living under a microscope hasn't made the French first-in-command tame; on the contrary, Sarkozy at times seems to enjoy living life for the cameras. Love him or hate him, it's hard to deny that the French leader is a certified G. Those in need of further proof can feel free to check out our list of 10 Reasons Nicolas Sarcozy is Gangsta.
Written by Lauren Otis (@LaurNado)
10. His Wife Is Carla Bruni
While rumors of jump-offs have plagued countless presidents and politicians, we can't imagine you'd ever need (or want) to venture elsewhere when you're curling up nightly with a hottie like Carla Bruni. Unlike other less savory leading wives, Bruni's one of the first first ladies we've ever found ourselves fantasizing about. The singer/actress/former model has got smokin' looks, class, and talent to spare. She reportedly used to date Mick Jagger, too, so you know she likes to party.
While word may have circulated that she and her man were both stepping out on each other, we wouldn't be surprised to hear that the two have got some sort of open situation going on. They both seem kinda freaky if you ask us.
9. He Knows How To Stay Fresh
As we mentioned earlier, the dude isn't called "President Bling Bling" for nothing. In addition to Sarkozy's fresh displays of conspicuous consumption in the form of crisp suits, oversized watches, and signature aviators, anyone doubting the guy's style might want to examine Vanity Fair, which named him the 68th best dressed person in the world. While Sarkozy has notably called for "transparency" of commodities markets, he's done a pretty great job of making his own market excursions more than evident.
8. His Son Is A Hip-Hop Producer
Could Pierre Sarkozy be the next Just Blaze? Eh, we have a feeling we know the answer. Still though, it's surprising to hear that Nicolas Sarkozy's eldest son abandoned the typical life of a political kid, involving wholesome community service activities and the pursuit of a medical degree, for one of hip-hop production.
It first came out in 2008 that Sarkozy Jr. was operating under the alias "Mosey" to avoid being linked to his famous dad and losing whatever semblance of street cred he might've had. We wouldn't be so quick to laugh, though: In addition to working on tracks for rising French rappers, the dude's also apparently been working his magic on Leonardo DiCaprio's ex, Bar Refaeli. The two have been spotted together since October. We're sure his pops, who seems surprisingly supportive of his son's career, would approve.
7. He Was A City Councillor At Age 23
Remember what you were doing with yourself at age 23? Aside from mooching off your parents and waking up in unfamiliar locations? While you might've been running your town in the figurative sense, Sarkozy took much more of a literal approach. The man's political career began at 23, when he became a city councillor of Neuilly-sur-Seine, a Parisian suburb (kinda like their version of Greenwich, Conn.). However, it wasn't long before he realized he was destined for greater things....
6. He Ran Shit By Age 28
...and by greater things, we mean being elected mayor at age 28, the youngest of any French town with a population of over 50,000. That's right, 28 years old. Man, just imagine what you'd do with that many people under your reign.
5. He's Got A No BS Policy
Think you're gonna talk shit to the president and he's just gonna let it fly? Think again. Back in 2008, a journalist's footage from Paris' annual farm fair went viral after revealing an entertaining exchange between Sarkozy and a hater who wouldn't shake his hand. Apparently, the French leader reached out for a shake when the guy snatched his hand back, exclaiming, "You are soiling me." Lose his cool, Sarkozy did not. Instead, he refused to let anyone see him sweat, replying, "Get lost then, dumb-ass," with a big-ass smile on his face.
It was also reported that he came close to having it out with a fisherman who was hurling insults at him during an event. "Come down here and say that," Sarkozy was quoted as saying. Hear hear.
4. He's Got Beef With MGMT
Most bands would probably be pumped if they found out that President Obama was bumping one of their tracks at political functions, but MGMT had the exact opposite reaction to the French leader unleashing "Kids" at the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire national congress without the band's authorization, in addition to a few online videos. In response to the indie group's threats to sue, the party offered to compensate the band with the equivalant to one euro. Damn!
The band's lawyer wasn't amused. After calling the offer "insulting," the UMP finally coughed up a more sufficient amount.
3. He's Been Accused Of Receiving Illegal Campaign Donations
In 2010, the French president was forced to defend himself against allegations that he'd been receiving undeclared campaign cash from L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt. The finger was pointed by opposing Socialist Martine Aubry after a former accountant for the political sugarmama claimed that she'd given around $72,000 in cash to Sarkozy's party treasurer (way over the legal limit). Even better? Further reports suggest that the shady cash was passed along via manila envelopes after dinner parties. Were the Trapper Keeper folders unavailable?
2. He Went From A Failing Student To Running France
Let Sarcozy's success serve as a lesson to you all: If you figure out what you like and put in the time, you too can make big things happen. Not to sound corny, but this guy straight up failed France's equivalant of the sixth grade before he went on to become a "meh" student at a private Catholic school. It was finally during his higher education years that he was able to turn it around, joining student political organizations, nabbing law and business law degrees, and, ultimately, passing the bar. Once he began to get involved with the community, putting that edjamacation to some good use, the upward climb truly began.
1. He Gives Himself Raises
Ever feel like your hard labor's gone unappreciated for far too long? Don't you wish at times that you could just give yourself the damn raise? Well, the French president doesn't—and that's because one of his first orders of business in 2007 was to hook himself up with a salary boost of nearly 150%, taking his annual income from $146,000 to $346,000. Yeah, we imagine salary negotiations are always easier when they're with yourself.
