François de Singly on the role of politician's spouses

François de Singly, professor at the Paris-Descartes University, underlines the difficulty women have extracting themselves from their husband's shadow in public life. "To be a free woman is not enough, some substance is necessary. Diana managed to be one, with more than a little difficulty, and this was one of the reasons for her popularity among women. She was living proof that women can give up playing second roles and live new, more personal lives. The divorce of Cecilia Sarkozy thus translates an historical upheaval of thanks between spouses. For example, a man traditionally thanks his wife for her support when he finishes a thesis, a book, or is promoted or elected. Now a woman can thank her man upon leaving him and refuse any thanks for playing second fiddle.”

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