The model wife: How Carla fell in love with a president and became his greatest asset

And because she could upstage him just by taking off her cardigan, his gorgeous wife was aware that she must be careful at her husband's side when the eyes of the world were upon her.

"Yes, I am afraid of making mistakes," she admitted. "Everyone says to me, 'But why do you look so shy and so quiet?' I say, 'I'm not going to dance!'

"You know? I'm not going to sing and dance coming down from a plane.

"I mean, of course, I'm afraid and shy. I'm observing things and trying to hold my place.

"I must represent France and I want to be elegant, and I want the French people to be proud of me."