"I accord a lot of importance to what she tells me. Her views broaden my perspective, my thoughts," the flamboyant President told the 'Le Point' magazine.

Amusingly, Sarkozy, who celebrates his first wedding anniversary on Monday, has even attempted to underplay the massive amount of publicity, which surrounded Bruni's and his one year of married life.

The couple had got married last February following a whirlwind romance of just 80 days.

"We have a quiet life, we've settled in. Our families get along. No really, I have nothing to complain about, she's great," leading British newspaper 'The Daily Telegraph' quoted Sarkozy as telling the popular French magazine.

In fact, Sarkozy's confession came just weeks after Bruni had made an impassioned television denial she was making political decisions. It followed weeks of speculation that she has growing influence on the president, deciding on everything from ministerial firings to which personal trainer he uses.

Even when French Justice Minister Rachida Dati was unceremoniously told she was to be sacked a week earlier, some speculated Bruni was behind the decision to ditch her former love rival.

Carla had also reportedly convinced her husband to drop a court order to deport an ex-Red Brigade activist from France to Italy. Her intervention and the presidential U-turn sparked fury, especially among Italians.