France’s Carla Bruni-Sarkozy says presidential wives _ like any wives _ should not give up their livelihoods when they marry.

The supermodel-turned-singer says in a radio interview that she did not consider halting her singing career when she became the French first lady in February.

She has an album of folk-and blues-inspired songs coming out Friday that is gaining extra attention because it is her first since her marriage to Nicolas Sarkozy. She made two albums before that.

The Italian-born Bruni-Sarkozy said on France-Inter radio Wednesday that women in 2008, even those with important husbands, “have the right to work.”

Still, her status means she will not give concerts for this album and that royalties will go charity.