Heiress to an Italian tire manufacturing fortune, she has had no need to work, but by 1988 was among the 20 highest-paid fashion models, earning $7.5 million a year. She grew up in France from the age of five, and later attended boarding school in Switzerland. She eventually returned to Paris to study art and architecture, but left school at 19 to become a model full-time.

While modeling, Bruni became a tabloid staple by dating rock stars Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton; tycoon Donald Trump; and actors Kevin Costner and Vincent Perez. She is married to Raphaël Enthoven, who had been married to novelist Justine Lévy.

In 1998 Carla Bruni quit the world of fashion, and has since devoted herself to chanson. In 2002 her debut album Quelqu'un m'a dit, produced by Louis Bertignac, was released in Europe to great success. The album was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005.