Luann de Lesseps reveals why fling with Mary-Kate Olsen’s ex-husband, Olivier Sarkozy, fizzled
Luann de Lesseps is spilling the tea on her fizzled fling with Mary-Kate Olsen’s ex-husband, Olivier Sarkozy.
“Well, listen, I adore him. We’re good friends,” the “Real Housewives of New York City” alum, 59, tells Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.
She adds with a wink, “You know, good friends.”
Ultimately, though, de Lesseps realized that her social personality didn’t align with the French banker’s penchant for privacy.
“He likes to stay home, he doesn’t like to go to parties. He’s not a big social guy. Now, that’s the polar opposite of who I am, right?” she explains.
“He’s a private person — and he’s a great guy, by the way. [But] he doesn’t like the press or photographs and things. I get it.”
De Lesseps’ good pal Patti Stanger told “Virtual Reali-Tea” just as much back in April.
“It didn’t work. He didn’t want to do anything. He’s like, ‘I like to stay home, I don’t want to go anywhere,’” the “Matchmaker” said at the time.
“Luann is the life of the party. There’s no way,” the former Bravolebrity — who’s known de Lesseps for years — elaborated. “She’s like, ‘He was so boring.’’
In March, fans speculated that the “Money Can’t Buy You Class” singer was exploring a potential relationship with Sarkozy — who divorced Olsen, 38, in 2020 following five years of marriage — after they were spotted enjoying a cozy Manhattan lunch date at Le Bilboquet.
The two-hour meal ended with the pair exiting the restaurant flashing wide smiles and linking arms as shutterbugs snapped pics.
De Lesseps tells “Virtual Reali-Tea” that she was surprised Sarkozy, 55, took her to a trendy hot spot frequented by celebrities — and paparazzi.
“But we went to Bilboquet, which there’s photographers everywhere. I’m like, ‘Why take me to Bilboquet if you don’t want to be noticed?’” she ponders. “Anyway, he’s a super cool guy. We have friends in common.”
De Lesseps — who recently told Bustle that the best place to meet single men is at Bed Bath & Beyond or embassy parties — says that she is currently dating, but emphasizes that she prefers entertaining the company of European suitors.
“I’m dating, I’m having the best time. I prefer European men, so that’s a little harder — but they do exist,” she says.
The entertainer goes on to recall her romance with Frenchman Jacques Azoulay, whom she split from in 2013.
“I mean, look at Jacques,” de Lesseps — who has maintained a friendship with the hunky wine entrepreneur over the years — says.
“My friends are like, ‘Only you, Lu, would find a Jewish man who’s French from Paris in New York who’s handsome, charming and very good in bed.’”
Until she finds her next conquest, the performer is looking forward to launching the upcoming leg of her “Marry F Kill!” cabaret tour, which kicks off July 26 at Ram’s Head Live in Baltimore, Md.
“I’ve been having so much fun on the road,” says de Lesseps, whose last scheduled stop is slated for November 15 at New York City’s Sony Hall.
“It’s been such a fabulous way to stay connected with my fans.”
