Actress, model, singer: first ladies who started their careers in show business (photo)

Actress, model, singer: women who rose from show business to first lady (photo)

When some women entered show business, no one expected them to become first ladies in the future. They were initially known for singing on stage or modeling. Today, these women are respected not only in art, but also in society as first ladies.

**Carla Bruni-Sarkozy**

The contribution of the Italian-French model Carla Bruni to the popularity of Nicolas Sarkozy is enormous and instructive. It was she who returned fashion and "stardom" to French politics in her time, which was considered completely lost in the Republic since the time of Claude Pompidou. The third wife of the president was not for nothing described as the "new Jackie Kennedy". Mrs. Bruni-Sarkozy immediately understood the requirements of protocol and political customs. She completely revised her style of dressing in the light of modern patriotism, engaged in charity work and made discreet speeches with important social and political statements.

Bruni was born into a family of musicians and chose creativity from a young age. After graduating from school, Carla planned to become an architect, but due to her slender figure, she did not receive any education and began her modeling career: she was only 19 years old when she signed a contract with City Models. Her debut at Guess turned into collaborations with Dior, Givenchy, Chanel, Yves Saint-Laurent and many other prestigious brands.

Carla Bruni's musical career was also very successful: albums sold in millions of copies, awards, tours - the former first lady is still engaged in music. Moreover, she did not stop this activity even after moving to the Élysée Palace. In her first year as the first lady, she released the album "Comme si de rien n’était" (the proceeds from the sales were donated to charity). In 2011, the first lady of France starred in a Woody Allen film.

In a sense, Carla was even more famous than her husband, and even today she continues her musical career.

**Melania Trump**

It is difficult to compete with Donald Trump in popularity - in fact, his third wife, Melania, was the first lady of the United States, but never aspired to it. However, it is show business that creates the most solid image. Therefore, when the famous tycoon put forward his candidacy in the elections, he did not need to introduce his wife separately: Melania was already quite famous in the United States.

Melania left her hometown of Ljubljana at a young age, dreaming of a modeling career. In Slovenia, she participated in local children's clothing shows as a child, and at the age of 16 she tried her hand at her first professional photo shoot.

Of course, although she was not as famous as the future first lady Carla Bruni, her career was much more successful: she signed a contract with a modeling agency, participated in shows, posed for famous magazines and even participated in a beauty contest.

In fact, Melania did not even think of coming to the United States, but in Europe she was noticed by Donald's longtime friend Paolo Zampolli. He tried to introduce Melania as a model in New York and eventually introduced the Slovenian girl to Trump. Then Donald's influence also added: Melania, a beautiful woman herself, now became the companion of the American showman.

Trump supported his wife's modeling career in every way. The result was a famous photo shoot in GQ magazine, covers of prestigious magazines and even television commercials with Melania. Later, Mrs. Trump's own cosmetics line and jewelry collections were created. Therefore, although the woman was not known to the whole world, American society knew its future first lady well long before she officially moved into the White House.

**Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau**

Although Sophie worked as an advertising agent and photo model in her youth, her passion was always journalism. After graduating from a local radio and television school, she worked briefly in the news department, and immediately began her career at LCN.

Gregoire was no ordinary person in the media and entertainment industry, otherwise she would not have been invited to be a host at the Mercedes-Benz charity ball. Sophie's colleague then turned out to be her future husband and future prime minister, Justin Trudeau. She was also a famous person, but she had not yet reached the level of a star.

**Peng Liyuan**

It would not be wrong to say that Peng Liyuan's popularity was largely due to the rise of her husband, now President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. They met and fell in love when they were young. At that time, the young man was just taking his first steps in politics, and Pen was already a star of the Chinese pop scene.

The future first lady of China was born into a creative family. The girl's soprano voice captivated the audience from the very first notes. While the girl's mother sang in traditional Chinese opera in her time, Peng herself paid attention to military songs. Because at that time in the People's Republic of China, it was the military who received the best concert venues, the most enthusiastic applause and, of course, the full support of the state. At the age of 18, the girl joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army. As a result, the young singer began to perform patriotic songs, performing at almost all state events.

Peng is a favorite singer of the Chinese people, and no first lady in the country is watched with such interest as the wife of Xi Jinping. It is said that Xi Jinping built his political career on the enormous popularity of his wife. Surely, it was not difficult for the spouse of such a famous person to gain the trust of the people.

**Nancy Reagan**

Anna Frances Robbins - better known as Nancy Reagan, played a wide variety of roles. Her mother was a theater and film actress, and was even friends with Katharine Hepburn. Therefore, young Nancy entered the drama faculty.

According to Mrs. Reagan's memoirs, her mother's famous friends warned her that many young starlets would never make it big and would end up as waitresses. True, Nancy never made it to the Hollywood A-list, but she didn't become a waitress either.

Many critics have noted that Nancy was not talented. But she had another talent: she was able to make useful connections and charm her interlocutors. Although Hollywood did not give her the career she dreamed of, it did introduce her to her future husband. At that time, Nancy was just entering the world of cinema, and Ronald Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild.

After her marriage, Nancy left the cinema and appeared only in small stage plays and shows, putting her family first. However, the couple did appear together once, in the 1957 film "The Sea Witches," in which they played the lead roles.