Former Argentine president, girlfriend to wed

Angie Wagner

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2001 | 10:18 a.m.

They may have been in the marriage capital of the world, but former Argentine President Carlos Menem and Cecilia Bolocco, a former Miss Universe, avoided the chapels Friday and instead were discussing plans to marry in the small town where he was raised.

The couple said they were aware of rumors that the two had wed in Las Vegas, but said they are planning something more traditional.

"Getting married must be in a place where you (can be) with your family and your friends," Bolocco, 35, told The Associated Press Friday evening in an interview at The Venetian hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Menem, 70, and Bolocco were in Las Vegas for the annual Safari Club International convention. Some 20,000 members were attending the event, where Menem was scheduled to speak Friday night about the history of hunting.

The two met when Bolocco, one of Chile's top television personalities, interviewed Menem for her show while he was still president in 1999.

Menem served as president for a decade until 1999. Bolocco was Miss Universe in 1987.

"I always love the way he behaves," Bolocco said, smiling at her beau. "He doesn't hide anything. He enjoys life, in spite of the fact that he's had a very hard life."

Despite the age difference, Bolocco said she sometimes can't keep up with Menem.

"I was very interested in finding out where all that energy and passion came from," she said. "Sometimes I get tired around him because I need to sleep."

Menem said he and Bolocco decided Thursday night they will marry in Anillaco in the remote La Rioja province along Argentina's border with Chile. Anillaco is a town of 1,000 people where he grew up and where his parents settled after immigrating from Syria.

As for a wedding date, nothing is for sure yet. Bolocco said they are both very busy, but possibly by the end of March. "We are very much in love," she said.

Menem's answer was: "That could be tomorrow or in two months."

The timeline didn't seem to bother Bolocco. "I have infinite patience," she said.