A survey showed yesterday that 90 per cent of French people had given her their blessing as the new First Lady, a remarkable reverse from initial misgivings about the supermodel-turned-singer.

Her romance with President Nicolas Sarkozy was widely considered to be a distraction from affairs of state, and contributed to a sharp decline in his popularity.

But her highly successful participation last month in her husband's state visit to Britain, when she was roundly applauded as France's answer to Princess Diana or Jackie Kennedy, has won her new admirers.

Miss Bruni has worked at cultivating a demure, classic image far removed from the glamour of the catwalk or recording studio.

The findings could not be in greater contrast with her husband, whose approval rating has plummeted since his election last year and yesterday stood at 37 per cent.

The Elysée Palace will be hoping that some of the public affection for his 41-year-old wife will rub off on him and help deflect criticism for his unpopular reforms, which include slashing public spending.

Source: The Telegraph

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