Vladimir Putin may have pulled a Nicolas Sarkozy.
Putin, the outgoing Russian president, reportedly has left his wife and plans to marry Alina Kabaeva, a 24-year-old former rhythmic gymnast and model who now is a member of the Russian parliament. Putin is 56.
Rumors of the relationship have circulated in Russia for some time, London’s Telegraph reported, but now a newspaper there has published a story about it. Moskovski Korrespondent cited a St. Petersburg party planner who claimed to be organizing the reception, the Telegraph reported. The wedding will take place in June.
Kabaeva represented Russia at the Sydney and Athens Olympics. She also has posed for photographs wrapped in only fur and appeared in an action film.
The Kremlin has refused to comment and Putin hasn’t even said he has divorced his 50-year-old wife, Ludmilla.
Sarkozy is the French president who divorced his wife and then married former model Carla Bruni.