Bruni signed with City Models at age 19.  Bruni worked for many major designers such as Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Chanel and Versace.  By the mid-1990s, Bruni was one of the highest-paid fashion models, earning $7.5 million a year.  While modeling, Bruni dated Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger.

Most famously, however, Bruni is currently the First Lady of France, after she married French President Nicolas Sarkozy in February 2008.  She may be the first First Lady with a nude portfolio.  Which is probably why in April 2008, a 1993 nude photograph of Bruni sold for $91,000 at an auction.