Beautiful, smart, proud and not reluctant to shed her Italian skin in the name of humanistic principles, Carla Bruni represents the hope for Italy. She is an atypical Italian; something this country desperately needs in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The things she said and the way she said them made me take a deep breath of unexpected relief. I salute you madam and I hereby declare myself a fan.

Times Online article