Hollande’s partner says First Lady role is ‘sexist’

JULIE GAYET, the partner of François Hollande, has confessed to refusing the First Lady role while he was in office because it is “sexist”.

The 45-year-old actress and film producer lifted the lid on her relationship with the former French president for the first time by saying she discreetly lived in the Elysée Palace but chose to remain out of the public eye, avoiding official functions.

“One person is elected. Not a couple. The role of the First Lady is sexist. It’s a job that forces her to stop her career. What’s more, you don’t get a salary,” she told Paris Match magazine. “Each to their own profession. Mine is actress and producer.”

Her take on the job of First Lady is in stark contrast to that of Brigitte Macron, the wife of Emanuelle Macron, Mr Hollande’s successor, who plays a high-profile role and has her own official agenda and “charter”.

Ms Gayet’s secret relationship with Mr Hollande was exposed in 2014 when Closer magazine revealed the pair were having nocturnal trysts in a flat near the Elysée. Valérie Trierweiler, Mr Hollande’s companion and official first lady, was subsequently admitted to hospital after taking too many tranquillisers. Mr Hollande announced their split soon afterwards.