Hermès golf bag among Sarkozy's gifts to Obama
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave more than $41,000 worth of gifts to US President Barack Obama, in 2011 alone. The most expensive item? A $7,750 Hermès golf bag.
Former president Sarkozy appears to have offered US president Obama more than just kind words on his official visits to the United States during 2011, according to a list published by the US state department.
Lacoste shirts, Louis Vuitton bags, Dupont pens, and perhaps most remarkably, a “large, black Hermes golf accessory bag”, worth $7,750, were among the luxury goods lavished on the golf-mad US leader and his family.
For her part, former French First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy presented Baccarat crystal lamps to her American counterpart Michelle Obama, as well as clothes and cosmetics to Sasha and Malia Obama.
The total bill for these opulent displays of transatlantic affection? $41, 675.71, according to the report.
By contrast, other major world leaders appear not to have dug as deep to demonstrate their alliances with the American president.
Queen Elizabeth, for example, spent a total of just $4,400 on porcelain, chocolate, tea and historically-significant state papers for the Obamas, although she did distribute gifts among a wide range of other White House staff.
British Prime Minister David Cameron's gifts cost a total of just under $2,000, but he proved himself a best friend to the Obama family dog, 'Bo,' at least.
Along with a Union Jack chew toy, the Conservative leader presented the president and his wife a tapestry worth $1,400, and gave engraved bracelets to Sasha and Malia.
Former Chinese President Hu Jintao splashed out on a $9,800 statue of Abraham Lincoln, while Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev presented an enamel painting of the Kremlin.
IN PICTURES: CLICK HERE FOR OUR GALLERY OF SARKOZY'S GIFTS TO OBAMA
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Former president Sarkozy appears to have offered US president Obama more than just kind words on his official visits to the United States during 2011, according to a list published by the US state department.
Lacoste shirts, Louis Vuitton bags, Dupont pens, and perhaps most remarkably, a “large, black Hermes golf accessory bag”, worth $7,750, were among the luxury goods lavished on the golf-mad US leader and his family.
For her part, former French First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy presented Baccarat crystal lamps to her American counterpart Michelle Obama, as well as clothes and cosmetics to Sasha and Malia Obama.
The total bill for these opulent displays of transatlantic affection? $41, 675.71, according to the report.
By contrast, other major world leaders appear not to have dug as deep to demonstrate their alliances with the American president.
Queen Elizabeth, for example, spent a total of just $4,400 on porcelain, chocolate, tea and historically-significant state papers for the Obamas, although she did distribute gifts among a wide range of other White House staff.
British Prime Minister David Cameron's gifts cost a total of just under $2,000, but he proved himself a best friend to the Obama family dog, 'Bo,' at least.
Along with a Union Jack chew toy, the Conservative leader presented the president and his wife a tapestry worth $1,400, and gave engraved bracelets to Sasha and Malia.
Former Chinese President Hu Jintao splashed out on a $9,800 statue of Abraham Lincoln, while Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev presented an enamel painting of the Kremlin.
IN PICTURES: CLICK HERE FOR OUR GALLERY OF SARKOZY'S GIFTS TO OBAMA
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