Bötschi asks Christa Rigozzi "I couldn't go shopping anymore"

She is one of the most famous women in Switzerland. Christa Rigozzi reveals a teenage sin, says who her role models are and talks about her political ambitions.

Many a Swiss man probably dreams of this: two days in Florence with Christa Rigozzi. Two days with the woman who has half the country at her feet.

Unfortunately, the reason for this trip is not a private one: Rigozzi is an ambassador for Pizzeria Ristorante Molino - and so she has a few journalists in tow during her trip to Italy. And she has a lot to do in Florence: tasting wine, picking olives, taking photos, answering questions.

The journalist is given 45 minutes of interview time. And then she sits there, La Rigozzi. She smiles her best smile. Oh, that's just her shtick, the journalist thinks.

Ms. Rigozzi, we're playing a question-and-answer game today: I'll ask you as many questions as possible over the next 45 minutes - and you answer as quickly and spontaneously as possible. If you don't like a question, just say "go on".

Very good, I'm ready.

When do you get up?

I always get up at 6 a.m. during the week. I need a coffee first to wake up properly - then I'm ready for the day and the family. I need a few moments to myself in the morning, otherwise I get aggressive (laughs).

Cell phone on the toilet - yes or no?

No - I'm quick, there wouldn't be enough time.

When are you offline?

During the night.

When was the last time you regretted not switching off your cell phone?

Never.

In a recent interview with Claudia Lässer on Teleclub, you said that last year was difficult. How has 2019 gone so far?

Super - and I'm very grateful for that. My friends, who weren't feeling well last year, are fortunately okay again, and professionally I've been able to tackle a lot of great projects.

Last summer, you rented a house in Ibiza for a month: how was it?

Wonderful.

Was it the first time you had taken such a long vacation with your three-year-old twins?

No, I always take at least four weeks off in the summer. This year it was even eight weeks. I spent one month at home with the twins in Ticino, and our family spent the second month in Ibiza.

Did you ever go dancing in one of the many clubs in Ibiza?

No - I've been to Ibiza five times so far, but never to a club. I like the island because of the beautiful bays and the great beaches.

Your pet name for your husband Giovanni?

Gio.

What does your husband call you?

Chri - but we usually call each other Amore.

What do you call your husband when you're angry with him?

Gio - but then I say the name louder - and the emphasis is sharper.

Are you a brave person?

Very.

Walking over hot coals - yes or no?

No - but what I love is a hot stone massage (laughs).

Bungee jumping - yes or no?

I'd rather not, but I have already experienced a tandem parachute jump from 4,000 meters. And I've raced around the Imola racetrack on a motorcycle.

How fast have you been on a motorcycle?

150, 160 kilometers per hour.

What teenage sin do you want to confesshere and now exclusively on 'Bluewin' ?

I once told my parents that I was going to sleep over at my best friend's house. And my girlfriend told me that she was going to sleep over. Neither was true.

What did you do instead?

We went out and danced in the disco until the early hours of the morning. We thought that was great fun. But only until the club closed at 5 a.m. and we were out on the street.

How did you end the night?

We drove to the highway service station, had a coffee and a croissant. Later, we sat outside on a bench and talked and talked until we finally decided to go home at half past eight. When I opened the door at home, my mother looked at me in astonishment: 'What, you're home already?

What did you say?

Oh, you know, mommy, I woke up so early - and you know, we have so much schoolwork.

The journalist realized long ago that he was wrong. Ms. Rigozzi is anything but put-on. Nor is she superficial. On the contrary - she is smart, polite and uncomplicated. Momoll, she's really, really okay.

Who were your role models?

My grandmother and my mother.

So you didn't have too few female role models as a child?

No. I love women and think it's important that we support each other. Of course, there are also men who do a good job and are role models for me. But my most important role models to this day are my 91-year-old grandmother and my mother.

When did you first realize that you were beautiful?

I never thought: 'Wow, I'm beautiful'.

Not even when you were crowned Miss Switzerland in 2016 ?

No - but I can still remember the moment after the election when the journalists congratulated me and said: 'You are the most beautiful woman in the country.

How do you respond to that?

That's not true, not all women in the country took part in this election.

How beautiful do you feel today at 36?

I'm much more self-confident than I used to be and that's why I feel more beautiful today. I don't understand people who say they wish they were 20 again. I don't feel that desire at all.

Do you like being the center of attention?

Yes - otherwise I couldn't do this job.

You became Miss Switzerland 13 years ago. What has remained?

The competition was my career springboard. Since the Miss year, I've been working in show business, have been able to help develop lots of projects and work as an independent entrepreneur. The election was my big opportunity - I took it.

What was the biggest price you had to pay as Miss?

I lost my anonymity. From one day to the next, I was known throughout Switzerland. I could no longer go shopping without being recognized. Fortunately, the life of a public figure in this country cannot be compared to that of a celebrity in the USA. There, stars are followed everywhere by paparazzi photographers.

The Swiss have always behaved decently towards you?

Very much so.

If you were 18 again, would you try your luck as an influencer?

I don't know.

The most powerful woman you've ever had dinner with?

I've had lots of great encounters with lots of great women over the last 13 years, so I don't want to highlight any in particular.

Your first thought when you think of food?

Indulgence.

Silly question, but what is the reason why you are in Florence today giving interviews?

(Laughs) Shall I give you a silly answer?

Do what you can't stop doing.

Seriously, I've been an ambassador for Pizzeria Ristorante Molino since last year, so I'm on a press trip for two days. Molino is celebrating its 30th birthday this year, so we want to show where the wines and olive oil served in the restaurants come from.

How well do you know 'Molino'?

When I was studying in Fribourg, I was a regular guest at 'Molino'. As a Ticino native, I missed Italian food in French-speaking Switzerland, so I often went there with my friends for pizza and pasta.

What was your favorite pizza in Fribourg?

I like a carpaccio on my pizza. I used to have to put the ingredients together myself - beef, rocket, parmesan and truffle oil. Almost every time, the waiter would ask afterwards: 'Are you serious?

So the Christa Rigozzi pizza on offer at 'Molino' today really is your own creation?

That's right.

Do you also eat pizza at home?

Yes - especially on Sundays. I make the dough and then the children decorate the pizza. I usually bake a cake afterwards.

What kind of cake?

Chocolate or lemon cake.

Do you cook often?

I like to cook and I cook well. My favorite is pasta. I think I could eat pasta every day. My absolute favorite dish is spaghetti with a fresh tomato sauce.

What is your husband's favorite food?

Pasta.

And what is your twins' favorite food?

Spaghetti with tomato sauce.

Would you like to be a vegetarian?

No, I like meat and I'm also very fond of fish. I am an epicurean and eat everything.

Do you eat meat every day?

No.

There are still no airs and graces about Christa Rigozzi, no theatrical pauses, no show. And that's a good thing.

If you are served something bad in a restaurant: Do you complain to the service or do you eat a little and claim at the end: 'The portion was too big'?

I'm probably too polite to complain - so I eat a little and leave the rest. When the waiter asks me to clear the table, I reply: 'It was good, but I wasn't hungry enough. I know I shouldn't do that. But I can't help it, I would feel sorry for the chef. I only complain if the staff are unfriendly.

In a 'Tages-Anzeiger' interview , you said: 'When I arrive, I drink a glass of sparkling water first. To energize myself and make sure I'm properly hydrated. Then I have a glass of white wine, with which I do the rounds and toast. The limit is two glasses of white wine. Personally, I hate even the slightest loss of control, I don't even want to be minimally drunk at an aperitif. Why are you so afraid of losing control?

I'm a control freak. I like aperitifs, but when I'm out and about on business, I never drink more than two glasses of wine in an evening and always have water in between. This guarantees that I don't have a headache the next day.

Have you ever lost control?

No.

Your sentence about losing control inspired theater director Christoph Marthaler - he incorporated it into his play 'Mir nämeds uf öis'. But without asking you if he was allowed to.

I thought it was a great honor that such a well-known director would use an interview of mine as inspiration for his play. But it's true, he should have asked me or at least cited the interview as a source somewhere.

You could have sued Marthaler. Why didn't you do it?

Because I thought the idea was basically funny. What's more, Christoph Marthaler gave an interview in which he admitted his mistake. And he thanked me for being so understanding and not threatening to sue.

Did Marthaler invite you to come and see his play?

No.

Your shoe size?

38.

Is it really true that you own over 600 pairs of shoes?

In the past, yes - but I sorted them out. Before that, I was constantly buying new shoes, whether expensive or cheap. Today, I pay more attention to quality and comfort ... - I've reached a certain age now (laughs).

How many pairs do you still have today?

Around 300.

Your favorite color?

I have several: Black, emerald green and beige.

Your natural hair color?

Ash blonde.

What do you say to your hairdresser?

I have the best hairdresser in the world. I've been going to him for 13 years. His name is Davide and he works at Valentino on Löwenplatz in Zurich. He's not just my hairdresser, he's also become a friend over the years. Davide doesn't just do great haircuts, he's also a wonderful person.

You recently said in an interview: 'Whether in private or in public, I'm always the same person. I never have to play a role. - To be honest, I can't believe that ...

But it's true - you've seen me for two days now. When people ask me what the secret of my success is, I always say: 'I'm just always Christa, no matter where I am. I really never had to play a role. I am who I am, with all my weaknesses and strengths.

Is that the reason why you like the Swiss so much?

Possibly. I think people appreciate the fact that I have always remained authentic. I've been with my husband for almost 20 years and we've started a family together. I'm reliable, punctual and always well prepared. I'm also multilingual, so I can work anywhere in Switzerland. And I've always worked hard for my success.

Isn't it tempting to take off in the world you live in and with the people you surround yourself with?

My husband, my children, my family - I couldn't do my job as well without them. No matter how many famous people I meet, no matter how many beautiful places I visit - in the end I know that my home is my family in Ticino. It is the most important thing in my life and gives me strength time and time again. My family are my biggest and also my most honest fans.

When you receive a request from a company: Who makes the final decision: your gut, your management or the bank account?

The final decision is always mine - but of course I discuss it with my manager Raffy Locher, with whom I have been working for 13 years. We are a well-rehearsed team.

And if there is ever a difference of opinion ...

... we work together to find a solution. I can tell you that I have turned down many a lucrative contract because I couldn't personally back the product. When I commit myself to a company, I always give it 100 percent. My partners also appreciate that I often invest more time than was agreed in the contract. That's probably one of the reasons why I have so many long-term partnerships.

Are you good at lying to men?

No, I'm not a good liar - that's why I could never work as an actress.

Michelle Hunziker claimed in an interview: 'Women are really bad. It's always said that men talk about us women while watching football or in the changing room, but women do the same ... '

I've never had experiences like that. When I'm with other women, we don't talk badly about men. I don't like generalizations.

Men are really never an issue?

Every now and then (laughs), but we don't talk badly about them.

Have you ever felt disadvantaged as a woman?

Never. - What I do find funny is that when I go to work, people, especially older ones, keep asking me where my children are. My husband is never asked that when he goes to work.

The #Metoo sexism debate has been going on for more than two years - your experience with greeters?

Fortunately, I haven't had any bad experiences with men. I've never been bullied or stalked. It's terrible when a person does something like that to another person. It is very important that such incidents are reported to the police immediately.

Ever slapped a man because he got too close to you?

No - maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm not afraid of contact. I approach people openly, regardless of whether they are men or women. I talk to everyone.

Why are women who want to be in power attacked so much because of outward appearances?

Is it really still like that? Successful women are beautiful because they have charisma and charisma. And that is also one of the reasons why they have made it to the top. I would never reduce a person to their appearance alone.

What can women do better than men?

If you prepare well for a task, you can do it - regardless of whether you're a woman or a man.

Are women perhaps somehow the better people after all?

No, no.

Who organizes more things at home: you or your husband Giovanni?

I'm super organized, Gio looks for things much more often than I do - especially in the hotel. We hardly have the problem at home anymore because I installed a box there some time ago. We put all our keys, cell phones, sunglasses and wallets in there.

Who finds lost things faster?

Me.

You studied criminal law and criminology: Is that why you find lost things faster than your husband?

It has to do with my obsession with cleaning (laughs).

The next adventure of the British secret agent 007 is coming to cinemas in 2020: Would you rather play James Bond or a Bond girl?

I would be the perfect James Bond.

So you would like James Bond to be played by a woman in the future?

Yes, absolutely.

But you said earlier that you wouldn't be a good actress because you couldn't lie well.

I would accept the role of James Bond in a heartbeat.

Who would you want to be the Bond boy?

There would be an audition for that.

Unfortunately, I can't accept that excuse - which man would be your personal favorite as a Bond boy?

Brad Pitt.

What do you think of quotas?

Quotas for women?

Basically quotas.

I don't believe that quotas bring more equality.

Do you regularly go to the polls and vote?

Always by post.

Where do you stand politically: more to the left or right or neutral in the middle?

I'm in the middle, but not neutral.

Where is your opinion based?

Liberal, in the middle.

Would you let your children go to climate demonstrations if they were old enough?

My children can do anything if they can explain to me why they want to do something.

Have you ever been to a demonstration yourself?

Yes - in Haiti in 2015. I was there for Handicap International and we demonstrated for better women's rights.

Which Swiss politician should have more to say?

I can't answer that question.

When and why did you cry about politics?

I've never cried because of politics, but of course I've also been disappointed because of a political decision.

Do you prefer to be for or against?

It depends on the question.

In which situation would you rather be a man?

Never.

Could you imagine swapping roles with your husband for a week?

I can well imagine being a dad for a week. But I'd rather not do his job as an interior designer and graphic artist.

Why not?

I wouldn't have the patience for it. The same goes for my husband, by the way: he keeps telling me that he couldn't do my job, but that he admires me for what I do and how I do it.

What is your favorite household chore?

I love cleaning. I like it when everything is spotlessly clean. We do have a wonderful cleaning lady because I'm often out and about. But - and I'm really only saying this between us - I still clean myself from time to time ...

Conclusion before the final round: an impeccable performance, the statements were pointed and clever.

What did you first learn from your husband Giovanni Marchese?

I only learned a lot of things through him - love, closeness, being open to the world.

How did you get to know each other?

In front of the McDonald's Bellinzona - I saw him there for the first time when I was 16.

Was it love at first sight?

For me it was - I saw him and thought: Wow, beautiful, who is that? Gio felt the same way when we first met. But we didn't really get together until a year later.

Are there things you can't do without your husband?

Starting a family - that would have been impossible without Gio.

Are there things you can't do together?

We can't cook together - it's either him in the kitchen or me. You can't do both together, otherwise there'll be arguments because I'll start cleaning while I'm cooking (laughs).

What was the last gift your husband gave you?

A massage. Gio said I work so much that it's important that I treat myself to some time for myself.

You've been together with your husband for almost 20 years: how have you managed that?

Love, trust, respect, mutual support and our wonderful twins.

You also seem to be a loyal soul in other ways: you have been co-hosting the TV show 'Bauer, single, sucht ...' for the TV channel 3plus since 2008.

My star sign is Taurus. You know that these people are very loyal, down-to-earth and concrete.

In 2014, one of your career ambitions was to interview Roger Federer. Did it work out?

I haven't managed that yet - but I'll keep at it.

Why Roger Federer in particular?

I met him at the Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel in 2008. I was there for a shoot and knew that Roger was also staying at the hotel. So I asked the hotel manager if it would be possible to meet him. At some point she came back and said she had a surprise for me and that I should come to reception. And who was standing there? Roger Federer with his wife Mirka. I was speechless for a moment.

It was a pleasure to talk to you, Mrs. Rigozzi. One last talent test. There must be enough time for that.

Finally, we come to the big talent test - please rate your talent from zero points, no talent at all, to ten points, maximum talent. Your talent as a farmer?

I'm more of a city girl, but I've already cleaned a barn and milked cows. That's why I give myself six points.

... as a feminist?

I don't like that word at all. I stand up for women and fight for equal rights. But I don't like taking to the streets to demonstrate. I prefer to talk to people directly, to stand up against injustice.

One point - or how many would you give yourself?

If I only gave myself one point, people would say I'm not doing enough for women. I give myself eight points, but as I said: I don't define myself as a feminist.

... Swiss woman of the year?

I can't answer that, the Swiss people would have to decide.

... Politician?

Eight points. I think I could achieve a lot as a politician.

Have you ever been asked by a party whether you would like to run on their list?

Several times - even now before the last parliamentary elections. So far, I've always declined when I've been asked, but I always say: Never say never again.

Just like James Bond.

Exactly.