Victories in the Miss France and Miss World competitions led to a career in modeling; she next tried painting, presenting her first art exhibition in 1955.
Opened her first modeling company called "Art et Mode" in 1977; she later entered politics.
Lived in Vietnam until 1951 as a military brat, returning to France in 1952; her aspiration was to become an archaeologist.
While the family was on a 1953 vacation in the Cote d'Azur, a casino owner spotted her and she consequently competed in the Miss St. Raphael contest that same night, beating the other contestants.