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So, to give you all a break from History on Your Doorstep, for the next few weeks I am going to focus on France and the French. The inspiration for this was a diary by
Samsoneyes which got me all nostalgic for those great years I lived in France, and particularly Paris in the late 70's early 80's.
Vive la Difference
If you google this, most of the hits will say this is about the difference between the sexes. But if you have lived in France, with the French, you will know that this is also a code about French uniqueness - or to put it into American "Exceptionalism". And as an Amuse Geule, I will combine both and talk about First Ladies!
When I first lived in France, Pompidou was President, and to be honest, I have no recollection of Madame Pompidou. But in 1981, on a fine Spring day in May, Francois Mitterand was elected the first socialist President of the Fifth Republic. On the day of the election I was In Nantes, a very left leaning city, and I remember the celebrations. Mitterand's wifeDaniel, was an activist in her own right, and was clearly to the left of Francois, often pushing him to policies that were more radical than he wanted.
It was only after Mitterand;s death. some 8 months after leaving office, that the press revealed what they had known for over 10 years. Mitterand not only had a lover - Anne Pingeot, but also a love child Mazarine, aged 21 at the time of his death, and who had been recruited to his support team,
Vive la Difference.
Mitterand was succeeded By Jacques Chirac of the right wing RPR (later UMP), who was married to Bernadette. Like good right wing spouses, Bernadette stayed out of the limelight, and the many financial scandals that encircled Jacques probably prevented him from too many extra curricular shennanigans (In France, one never says never). To summarise, Bernadette was like Laura Bush, while Jacques was like Berlusconi sans the Bunga Bunga parties with Ruby the Heartbreaker.
And now we hit the mother lode.
Nicholas Sarkozy, divorcee on arriving at Elysee, in 2008 marries Carla Bruni. Sarkozy, who is so short he looks up to Tom Cruise, and Carla who is so tall, she looks down on Kate Moss. For the first time in History, it is the male President wearing the high heels - I am not joking. In some photo ops he would stand on a step higher than his wife to offset the difference..
But the real joy for me is Carla's history
I admire Michelle Obama, and I think she is a very attractive, intelligent and caring woman. But could you imagine an American First Lady who is
the Illegitimate daughter of a guitarist who became a grocery magnate
The heiress of a tyre fortune.
An ex supermodel, including nude portfolios
Former girlfriend of Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton
A successful singer songwriter
Time to talk about Francois Hollande after his Presidency, but for the moment here is Carla doing a great job on a Bessie Smith song.
Vive la Difference