Magazine: Hollande's affair may have been going on for 2 years

PARIS, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- French President Francois Hollande may have been involved with actress Julie Gayet for two years, a magazine reported Friday.

Closer published the report even though Gayet has said she is suing the magazine for breach of privacy, CNN reported. The magazine also said the couple had been meeting in an apartment near the Elysee Palace and had spent weekends together in southern France.

Hollande was involved for many years with Segolene Royale, like him a leader of the Socialist Party. They broke up soon after she lost the 2007 presidential election, and he became involved with Valerie Trierweiler, a journalist.

Trierweiler was hospitalized after the Gayet story broke. Hollande's office said Friday the president visited her Thursday for the first time.

In an interview with the French radio station RTL, Trierweiler said Thursday her doctors had told Hollande not to visit her earlier but he had been sending flowers and chocolates.

CNN said polls suggest most French voters think Hollande's private life is his own business. But the romantic triangle -- if it exists -- could complicate matters when he visits the United States next month. Hollande and Trierweiler were to be guests of honor at a state banquet at the White House on Feb. 11.