French Justice Minister Rachida Dati, one of the stars of President Nicolas Sarkozy's cabinet, announced she was pregnant but declined to say who the father was.
The divorced daughter of North African immigrants, 42-year-old Ms Dati has become the public face of President Sarkozy's drive to add some much-needed diversity to French politics.
Since taking office last year, she has appeared almost as often in the glossy magazines as the serious political press, prompting criticism that she is seeking celebrity status rather than concentrating on her job.
Today, she confirmed rumours that she was pregnant after the weekly magazine VSD splashed her on the front page saying she was expecting a child.
Being a single mother carries no social stigma in modern France and a census released earlier this year showed that for the first time in 2006 more children were born out of wedlock here than to married couples.
"I want to remain prudent, because it isn't yet safe. I'm still in the danger zone," the website of Le Monde daily quoted Ms Dati as saying, referring to the risk of a possible miscarriage.
"I am 42 years old and have always said that (having a child) was fundamental for me," she said. "If it goes ahead, I will be happy and have the feeling I've looped the loop."
Ms Dati is photographed alone when she goes out for evening parties.
"My private life is complicated and I'm keeping it off-limits to the press. I won't say anything about it," she told reporters when asked about the father.
Ms Dati has raised eyebrows since becoming justice minister, appearing in designer evening wear at official events and posing for the front cover of Paris Match magazine.
She regularly travels with President Sarkozy on his trips abroad and was known to be very close to his former wife, Cecilia.
As minister she has overseen a contested reform of France's judicial set up, closing a number of courthouses and drawing the wrath of the legal profession. Many of her close advisers have quit, complaining of her authoritarian ways.
Ms Dati said that she planned to stay at her desk throughout the pregnancy. "It isn't an illness," she said.
A number of French ministers have had children while in office, including Segolene Royal, who was beaten by President Sarkozy in last year's presidential election.