The only time I was really surprised was the reaction to the [shoot dedicated to the] BP oil [spill in 2010]. I didn't expect it at all. It was for the August issue, perhaps one of the less relevant months, but there was so much buzz. It was picked up all over the American television, but I defended my position. I don't understand those that say that a magazine such as Vogue should not talk about these things.

I was living in the moment that feminism came out of, and I think it's only through the work that women are doing today that they are making out better than men. So it's important that you are a feminist in your mind but that you have an attitude sometimes like men.

I think very highly of Expo and all is going well. We've seen big problems with [corruption] scandals [at local government level], but it is going forward, with the highest number of participants ever expected.

I say let Matteo Renzi work. He took over a country that was in disarray, not florid. And not the other way around.

What worries me is that now, communication is virtual.

I didn't need to get married again. It's great to be in a situation in which you're happy. But, you know, I'm not tortured by love. I'm not tortured by chagrin d'amour. I'm old now.

I don't understand "The Little World of the Past" [a reference to the title of the book by Antonio Fogazzaro] that is destined to die.