In May, Carla Bruni embarked on a new life after husband Nicolas Sarkozy was defeated in the polls by Francois Hollande. Since leaving the Elysee Palace and her glamorous term as France's First Lady, Carla has gone back to her creative passions. The mum-of-two is back on the music scene, lending her sultry vocals to a duet with Algerian singer Enrico Macias.
Their track will feature on the disc Venez tous mes amis – a homage to Enrico's 50-year-career that includes various artists reworking his favourite hits. Carla is a stellar addition to the line-up. After making her name and fortune as a model, success gave the Italian-born beauty an opportunity to turn her hand to her first love - music.
In 2002, her debut album Quelqu'un m'a dit was released, becoming an instant hit in France. She followed it up in January 2007 with her second disc No Promises - which helped take her music sales to over two million discs. Her personal triumphs rose in direct proportion to her music sales. In autumn 2007 she met French president Nicolas Sarkozy at an official gathering. A whirlwind media-friendly romance followed with the pair making their union official in a private Paris ceremony at the Elysee Palace on February 2, 2008.
Their daughter Giulia was born in October 2011, joining her half-brother, Aurélien. Whilst her husband was in power, Carla's colourful past and free-spirited demeanour brought fresh interest to politics. Now navigating a new era for herself and her family, the guitar-strumming troubadour has gone back to what she loves best.
