THE French First Lady was admitted to hospital after taking "one pill too many" on learning of the president's affair, it has been claimed.
Valerie Trierweiler has been in hospital for the last six days since details of Francois Hollande's relationship with French actress Julie Gayet emerged.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trierweiler reportedly took sleeping pills or another form of medicine to which she reacted badly. She is said to have woken up on Friday feeling sick and "terribly alone", and asked to be taken to hospital. Friends categorically deny that she took an overdose or attempted suicide. "She simply took one pill too many," a source told the French tabloid magazine Le Point.
The report alleges that Hollande was "cold and ruthless" when he confessed to the affair and that he wanted Trierweiler to sign an agreement announcing their separation.
Today, Hollande made his first visit to see Trierweiler at La Pitié-Salpatriêre hospital – the same hospital where Princess Diana died after her car accident in 1997. Doctors had previously recommended he stay away, claim sources. The president had sent her chocolates and flowers.
His visit comes as Closer magazine published new allegations saying that Hollande and Gayet have been in a "turbulent romance" since the 2012 presidential race, spending nights in a Paris flat and weekends together in the south of France.
Some reports claim that it was the president's eldest son Thomas Hollande who introduced his father to Gayet.
Despite earlier threats, Hollande has decided not to take legal action against Closer magazine, but Gayet is seeking €50,000 in damages and €4,000 in legal costs.
Hollande has said he will make a statement about his relationship with Trierweiler - and whether she would remain the French First Lady - by the start of next month.
-
The most memorable podcasts of 2025The Week Recommends A round-up of the year's top podcasts that kept listeners tuned in
-
What is Roomba’s legacy after bankruptcy?In the Spotlight Tariffs and cheaper rivals have displaced the innovative robot company
-
SiriusXM hopes a new Howard Stern deal can turn its fortunes aroundThe Explainer The company has been steadily losing subscribers
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
