French justice minister goes out in style

PARIS, March 28 (UPI) -- Popular French Justice Minister Rachida Dati has seen her star rise in her final days at the post, observers say.

The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday that Dati, 43, has been asked by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to keep a lower public profile as she prepares to exit his government. Sarkozy reportedly wants her to avoid being photographed in expensive designer clothes in celebrity magazines.

Last week it was announced that Dati was voted the most "symbolic woman" of the beginning of the 21st century in a French poll, and that Dati had agreed to take part in a TV program "Private Life, Public Life," where she'll be shown with her baby daughter and family.

One of France's waxworks museums, the Musee Grevin, announced recently it was creating a sculpture of Dati to be unveiled in September.

Dati is one of 12 children of a Moroccan builder and an Algerian mother. She was appointed justice minister after Sarkozy was elected in 2007.

Reportedly in the running to replace Dati is television presenter Christine Kelly, 39. Dati recently announced she wanted to run for mayor of Paris in 2014.

Didier Louis, editor of the newspaper Le Courrier Picard, said Dati was "largely fabricated" by the media.

"Her emergence was as lighting quick as her disgrace. Rachida Dati is a political meteorite," he wrote.