French President Hollande separates from partner T

PARIS, FRANCE (BNO NEWS) -- French President François Hollande has separated from 'First Lady' Valérie Trierweiler after a relationship of seven years, he told a French news agency on Saturday, just over two weeks after a magazine claimed he was having an affair with a film actress.

Hollande, 59, confirmed the separation in a phone call with Agence France-Presse (AFP) after hours of rumors in the French media, claiming that a presidential statement was due. "I wish to make it known that I have ended my partnership with Valérie Trierweiler," the French president told AFP, speaking as a private individual.

The presidential palace confirmed Hollande had called AFP, but gave no other details.

Trierweiler, 48, who is due to fly to the Indian city of Mumbai on Sunday for a charity trip organized by Action Against Hunger (ACF), left the presidential residence in Versailles after Saturday's announcement and headed to the couple's apartment in Paris. She is still expected to take part in ACF's charity trip, the organization said.

"My gratitude goes to the wonderful staff of Élysée," Trierweiler wrote on her Twitter account on late Saturday, referring to the presidential palace where she had five staff members for her unofficial role as first lady. "I will never forget their devotion or the emotion at the time of departure."

Hollande and Trierweiler have lived together since 2007, when Hollande ended his relationship with Ségolène Royal, with whom he has four children. The couple's relationship was thrust into the international spotlight earlier this month when French magazine Closer revealed Hollande's alleged affair with 41-year-old actress Julie Gayet.

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