Statue portraying 'supermodel' Carla Bruni-Sarkozy as 'worker' sparks outrage in France

Paris, Aug 2 (ANI): A bronze statue of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's wife, Carla Bruni, portraying her as a 'worker', has sparked off outrage across the country.

The statue, placed in the heart of a Paris suburb, was originally intended to celebrate the career of a former supermodel-turned-pop singer who became France's first lady after marrying Sarkozy in 2008.

But since Sarkozy's election defeat in May, the couple has been stuck in deep controversy.

They disappeared from their Paris home a month ago, the night before anti-corruption police raided the mansion, together with two offices linked to Sarkozy.

With neither Sarkozy nor Ms Bruni-Sarkozy seen nor heard from for weeks, local council officials in Nogent have admitted to being 'deeply embarrassed' by the statue, the Telegraph reports.

"It has not only been described as hideous, but it honours a very rich woman whose husband is facing corruption allegations," the paper quoted one official, as saying.

"It's well camouflaged at the moment, and not many people have noticed it, but the official unveiling is going to be difficult," the official added.

The 75,000-pound statue portrays Bruni as a 'plumassiere', a woman worker from one of Nogent's former feather factories. (ANI)