Fan Crush Crashes Bruni's New Website

A much-hyped website showcasing Carla Bruni's work as France's first lady crashed within minutes of its launch yesterday after receiving thousands of hits. Administrators at carlabrunisarkozy.org said the site—which describes the ex-model as "the ultimate modern woman"—couldn't cope with the demand and advised visitors to try again in a few minutes, although it remained offline this morning.

The site—which portrays Bruni as a "philanthropist, egalitarian, fashion icon, avant-garde artist and friend of the great and good," according to the Times—is aimed at promoting Bruni's charitable foundation, say aides. Bruni's foundation encourages underprivileged youngsters to seek places at elite academies and plans to pay tuition for the most promising. (More Carla Bruni stories.)