Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy revealed some details from the three weeks he spent in prison, which were characterized by “isolation and grayness,” as he put it, in excerpts from his new book, “Memoirs of a Prisoner,” which were published Saturday in French media. Sarkozy said that he wrote this book "with a ballpoint pen on a small wooden table every day" and finished it after his release on November 10.
Published on: 07/12/2025 - 17:09 Last updated: 07/12/2025 - 17:09
He wrote about "apple juice" and "dairy products" and about his prayers inside the cell that housed him. Sarkozy reveals excerpts from the three weeks he spent behind bars, in his new book, "Memoirs of a Prisoner."
Sarkozy, 70 years old, is considered the first president in the history of modern France to go to prison after being convicted of obtaining money for his presidential election campaign in 2007 from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
He was sentenced to five years in prison, but was granted conditional release under judicial supervision only 20 days after entering his cell.
Sarkozy wrote a 216-page book entitled "Memoirs of a Prisoner" that is scheduled to be published on December 10, and several French media outlets published excerpts from it on Saturday.
Sarkozy wrote in one of the paragraphs, “The color gray dominated everything, greedily devouring everything and covering every surface,” continuing, “I would give everything in exchange for being able to look out the window or enjoy watching the cars pass by.”
During his first night in the cell, Sarkozy knelt and prayed after watching a football match.
He stated, "It came naturally. I remained like this for several minutes. I prayed to God to give me the strength to bear the cross of this injustice."
Sarkozy, who assumed the presidency between 2007 and 2012, was protected by two security officers in the prison, and remained locked in his cell for 23 hours a day, with the exception of visiting times.
Read also: Sarkozy leaves prison after a French court ordered his release and placing him under judicial supervision
"It is often said that one learns at any age. This is true because I learned a lot in La Santé prison, about others and about myself as well," he wrote.
As for his diet in prison, it consisted of “dairy products, bars of oatmeal and barley, mineral water, apple juice, and some sweets.”
In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper, Sarkozy revealed that he wrote most of the book while he was behind bars, “with a ballpoint pen on a small wooden table every day,” and finished it after his release on November 10.
Sarkozy remains an influential figure on the French right, despite the legal problems that have haunted him since he left office.
France 24/AFP
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