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The Women Behind Sarko's Malaise

Sarko and Carla! (Via Morea, National Photo Group.)

Quel Horreur! The President of France has been on a diet. Fromage? Non. Éclairs? Mais non! Is it any wonder he collapsed while jogging around Versailles yesterday? We exaggerate, but maybe not much. According to the Daily Mail, the French President has been on a strict regime ever since getting hitched to the excruciatingly beautiful Carl Bruni last year. It seems Carla entrusted her older husband to  Julie Imperiali, a 26-year old fitness diva who specialises in "strengthening the pelvic floor, and controlling eating." Trouble. Imperiali commanded the 5'5" head of state that he needed to drop nine pounds. Instead of gaining energy and elan, as promised, poor Sarko collapsed in a heap. In short, what the sagging French economy and fearsome French unions could not accomplish -- i.e. stopping "Speedy" Sarko -- Miss Imperiali managed without a single trashed banlieue or work stoppage. Morale: Food matters. Also, yes, it's important to take a break, to know your limits, and to hope that Carla and La France will still love you in the morning.