Carla Bruni and her sister actress Valeria talk 'rivalry and politics' in glossy French fashion magazine

By Olivia Walmsley

PUBLISHED: 13:06 EST, 1 November 2013 | UPDATED: 14:32 EST, 1 November 2013



Good looks definitely run in the Bruni family, as the latest cover of French Elle demonstrates.

The former first lady of France Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, 45, and her sister Valeria Bruni-Tedeshi, 48, pose together wearing simple, understated knits in the photograph by Paul Schmidt.

It is a defiantly low-key look for one of France's most prestigious fashion magazines: neither wears heavy make-up and their hair is left messy and appears unstyled. It's certainly a long way from Carla's ultra-glamorous modelling days in the 90s.

Elle magazine France showing Carla Bruini and her sister

The sisters look natural and unstyled in the photograph by Paul Schmidt for the French fashion magazine

Inside, the sisters, who are rarely interviewed together, discuss discuss their 'incredibly precious' relationship.

 

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Carla says that journalists have tried to portray Valeria and she as rivals, with conflicting political views. The model-turned-singer-turned-first lady, whose artistic efforts have been occasionally criticised by the press, says Valeria agreed to be interviewed with her 'to protect her' and to 'rehabilitate her from an artistic point of view.'

Since marrying then-President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, Carla's work as singer has come under intense scrutiny, with lyrics dissected for hints about the private life of the couple.

Carla Bruni and Sister Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, photographed in September 2005

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and her sister Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, photographed here in 2005, describe their relationship as 'incredibly precious'

Carla Bruni and sister Valeria Bruni Tedeschi

Carla claims journalists have tried to portray Valeria and she as rivals, with conflicting political views

In the interview, Valeria admits she's been 'anxious' about her little sister for the last few years, particularly about the way in which she has sidelined her singing career, and the 'distorted' reception her work receives. 

Valeria is herself a successful actress and director. Her most recent film, A Castle In Italy, which she wrote, directed and starred in, was shown at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Carla Bruni on the Paris runway in her glamorous modelling days, wearing a Chloe dress
Samantha Cameron and Carla Bruni during for former's visit to London in 2009

Carla on the Paris catwalk in the 90s (left) and meeting Samantha Cameron (right) on a state visit to London with her husband, Nicolas Sarkozy, in 2008

Valeria recently revealed that the film was inspired by events from her own life. It tells the story of a wealthy Italian industrialist family who settle in France - the Bruni-Tedeschi family left Turin in 1975, reportedly to escape the threat of kidnapping by the Red Brigades, a Marxist-Leninist Revolutionary group active in Italy in the 1970s .

Bruni Tedeschi’s partner until last year, Louis Garrel, plays her character’s younger lover; her mother Marisa Borini appears as her surviving parent; and the death of her brother in 2006 from AIDS complications is depicted.

There is no character based on Mrs Sarkozy in the film.




Comments (19)

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ugh....

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I love Carla, i think she was one of the best supermodels in the 80s and 90s, and actually my favorite one. Very classy woman, a real italian beauty.

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Two beautiful women, Carla is looking great once again.

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"neither wears heavy make-up and their hair is left messy and appears unstyled" you'll find that French women don't do the scouser brow and the Essex orange look. They know how to look beautiful and sophisticated without looking like wax dummies

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Embarrassing the way spoilt rich girls think they're 'artists'....Untalented 'show-offs' more like.

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Well, the rich always have more chances to develop their talents and hobbies into something more serious, and both have done so to various degrees. Valeria is very talented actress and filmmaker, and Carla isn't too bad at performing and song-writing. I have her two ceedees, and they are quite nice.

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I was not aware of it Semper Fi !

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Carla was known as "the predator" in Paris social circles for her sexual appetite. Then she met Sarkozy so now they appear cozy with each other as he has a similar reputation.

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It is an open relationship.

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Two boring sisters ! Thanks to $arkozy, those 2 little women came to the limelight in France................

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Well....She had Mick and Eric............................And who exactly have you had??????

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And how about you ? Anybody well connected ?

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They are only half-sisters (different father).

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And? How is this at all relevant? Sisters are sisters.

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WOW ZEES FRANCH VIMEN ZAY AWL SEEM TO AVE ZE VA VA VA VOMM - I AFF CHOKED ON MY ORLICKS JUST LOOKING AT ZEM !!!

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Valeria has real character in her face because she hasn't had her nose done.

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