Saretto

Report: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy expecting baby

PARIS – The expectant granddad has spilled the beans: Nicolas Sarkozy's father told Germany's top-selling newspaper that France's model-turned-singer first lady is pregnant.

The Bild newspaper on Tuesday quoted Sarkozy's father Pal Sarkozy as confirming that his son and wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy are expecting their first child together.

"Neither wants to know the gender beforehand, but I'm certain it will be a girl, and beautiful like Carla," he's quoted as saying.

Sarkozy's office would not comment, saying it's a private matter. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has been coy about it in recent public appearances.

A pregnancy could be a potential strategic coup for Sarkozy, less than a year ahead of presidential elections. The incumbent's popularity is in the doldrums, but a baby in the Elysee presidential palace could help voters relate to a man they have seen as increasingly out of touch with their worries.

Reports of her pregnancy first surfaced in late April, when gossip magazine Closer ran a story saying the 43-year-old first lady was three months pregnant. The magazine said that officials were keeping it under wraps because her age makes it a high-risk pregnancy.