Valerie Trierweiler took a 'pill too many' amid claims of affair
Francois Hollande and Julie Gayet in 'turbulent romance' since 2012, claims French media
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.
Several French magazines published fresh accounts today of what they call a "blazing row" between Hollande and Trierweiler at the Elysée Palace last Thursday, the day before the claims of an affair were published in France's Closer magazine.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
What is at stake for Starmer in ChinaToday’s Big Question The British PM will have to ‘play it tough’ to achieve ‘substantive’ outcomes, while China looks to draw Britain away from US influence
-
How the ‘British FBI’ will workThe Explainer New National Police Service to focus on fighting terrorism, fraud and organised crime, freeing up local forces to tackle everyday offences
-
The best family hotels in EuropeThe Week Recommends Top kid-friendly hotels with clubs, crèches and fun activities for children of all ages – and some downtime for the grown-ups
-
China’s Xi targets top general in growing purgeSpeed Read Zhang Youxia is being investigated over ‘grave violations’ of the law
-
Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
-
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