François Hollande has confirmed his separation from his long-term partner, Valérie Trierweiler."I am making it known that I have put an end to my shared life with Valérie Trierweiler," the French President said in a phone call to AFP news agency on Saturday.On the same day, 48-year-old Valérie tweeted that she was leaving the Élysée Palace, the President's official residence.
"My gratitude goes to the wonderful staff of the Élysée," she wrote. "I will never forget their dedication or emotion at the time of departure."On Sunday Valérie is due to travel to India on a humanitarian mission supporting the work of French charity Action Against Hunger, while Hollande is preparing for an official visit to the USA on 11 February.
Hollande and Valérie's split follows a turbulent couple of weeks for the pair after reports emerged that the 59-year-old politician had allegedly had an affair with French actress Julie Gayet.Shortly after, Valérie was admitted to hospital, with doctors saying she was being treated for a "severe case of the blues. "Valérie, who works as a journalist for Paris Match magazine, spent eight days in the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital before moving to the presidential home of Pavillon de la Lanterne, near Versailles. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who sent supportive or get well messages via twitter, SMS or email," tweeted Valérie. "Very touched."