French First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Heads To Africa On AIDS Trip (SLIDESHOW)

French First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, recently embarked on her first trip as Goodwill Ambassador for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. She spent today at the Yalgado Ouedraogo university hospital where she met with and praised hospital treatment of HIV-positive women and children.

The wife of President Nicolas Sarkozy, Bruni-Sarkozy agreed in November to become a goodwill ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS.

Bruni-Sarkozy, who married the French leader a year ago, expressed an interest to help fight HIV following a visit to South Africa, which has one of the world's largest AIDS caseloads.

She said she hoped her status as first lady could help advance a worthy global cause.

According to the AFP, Mrs. Bruni-Sarkozy told reporters, "I knew they were doing a great job but I was surprised at how optimal the situation was. I had not imagined the conditions would be this good and the staff this wonderful," and also dismissed the idea of taking a job in politics, stating, "I am not ready for a political career."

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Or view a slideshow of Carla's trip as well as her appearance at an AIDS awareness dinner below.