France’s “first lady” is dropping plans to relaunch a TV career but says she won’t quit as a journalist at Paris Match magazine as she wants to raise her children without depending on President Francois Hollande for money.
Valerie Trierweiler, whose debut as presidential partner was marred when she took a political swipe at Segolene Royal, who had four children with Mr Hollande, said in an interview she regretted that faux-pas and was still finding her way.
Career-wise, the twice-divorced mother of three told OuestFrance newspaper she was abandoning plans to rejoin the TV channel she left before the May 6 election of Mr Hollande, to whom she is not married.
“I understand being the President’s partner and working for a television channel may be problematic or even fuel suspicion for some people,” Ms Trierweiler, 47, said.
She insisted, however, she saw no such difficulty with continuing a 22-year career at Paris Match. “I have my children to look after and don’t know how I could do it without a salary,” said Ms Trierweiler. “My feeling is that maintaining financial independence is also a healthy way to keep my feet on the ground.”
— Reuters