It is officially all over between French President Francois Hollande and Valerie Treirweiler, his partner of more than seven years, sources reveal.
According to the French weekly Journal du Dimanche, Hollande will announce the separation Saturday, before Treirweiler leaves for her charity trip to India.
"The press release from the Elysee Palace should be released sometime today," the national weekly said without citing any sources, reported Reuters. Both the parties did not comment on the report.
The relationship of 59-year-old Hollande and 48-year-old Treirweiler faced trouble after 'Closer' magazine published reports of the president's affair with French actress Julie Gayet. It was reported that 59-year-old Hollande chose 41-year-old Gayet over the former journalist. It was said that Trierweiler wanted to save the relationship but Hollande was adamant. Elysee sources revealed Sunday that the couple was preparing for "an inevitable separation," Journal du Dimanche reported.
At a recent press conference, Hollande was bombarded with questions about the claims 'Closer' made. He refused to comment on his personal life. "I have one principle," he told reporters. "That private affairs are dealt with in private with due respect to all parties."
Hollande is a father of four children from his previous relationships with Segolene Royal, a senior member of Socialist Party and a 2007 presidential candidate. The couple announced their separation after she lost the 2007 elections to then elected President Nicolas Sarkozy. Hollande has never married.
Although Trierweiler was not married to Hollande she assumed the role of first lady at official functions following his election in May 2012. She writes for weekly magazine 'Paris Match.'
Gayet is a mother of two and has over 50 films to her credit.
