It’s all over at the top for Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and, of course, her ex-Presidential husband Nicolas. And as Carla and Nicolas bow out and Francois Hollande and partner of six years Valerie Trierweiler step into the spotlight, you can’t help feeling that this isn’t how Carla imagined things would turn out.
The eternally glamorous supermodel looked flat today as she accompanied her husband to the handover ceremony at Elysee Palace, in spite of her broad smile. (SEE PICS AT THE MAILONLINE HERE)
And while she used to pride herself on her chic wardrobe and glossy chestnut hair, today she looked as if she couldn’t really be bothered.
Cover girl: Carla Bruni as she was in her supermodel days
Stepping into her (dreadful flat and frumpy) shoes is Paris Match journalist Valerie, who at 47-years-old is three years Carla’s senior, but somehow seems more youthful.
Karl Lagerfeld has called her handsome; french couturier has called her ‘possibly inspiring’. Guess he’s not entirely sure yet…
Anyway, truth is, we’re sad to see this once luminous creature looking so drawn, wan and seemingly lacking in confidence.
There is a very real possibility she has had some work done that has not gone as planned (lawyers will note now we believe she has had nothing done, nothing at all) – but there is no going back – only acceptance. Let’s hope Carla can find that somewhere within. Bonne chance, Carla!
PS Lots of people are suggesting that Carla will jump ship now that her husband isn’t top chien any more. But if she were motivated by money and success, then she needn’t worry. The Guardian reports this:
Like all former French presidents, he is entitled to a €6,000-a-month (£4,800) “pension”, plus if he decides to sit on the constitutional council, again his right as a former president, he gets another €11,500 a month. This is paid whether he decides to return to work as a lawyer, as he has suggested he will, or not.
He also has the right to a “fully furnished and equipped” apartment paid for by the state, two police officers to ensure his security, a state car with two chauffeurs, seven office staff and free business-class travel on Air France and SNCF, the national train company. And if he does fly abroad, Sarkozy has the right to stay in the local ambassador or consul’s residence.
According to Europe 1, Sarkozy has already chosen himself a new “ex-president’s office”, a 323-square-metre, 11-room apartment in the chic eighth arrondissement of Paris.
The former president has taken over the entire first floor of the building and the €15,000-a-month rent will be paid for out of public coffers. The office is just 200 metres from the law chambers where he has suggested he will practise.
The cost to the state of the benefits for each former president has been estimated at about €1.5m a year.
Not so bad after all. Adieu!
