Rielle Hunter, John Edwards Breakup Announced Same Day As Book Release
Rielle Hunter and John Edwards have split, and the timing of the news suggests Hunter's relationship tell-all might have had something to do with it.
Hunter, a former videographer for Edwards' unsuccessful 2008 presidential campaign who famously began an extramarital affair with the then-presidential hopeful in 2006, made the announcement on Good Morning America on Tuesday, the same day as the release of her memoir What Really Happened: John Edwards, Our Daughter, and Me.
The book, published by BenBella, reveals intimate details about her relationship with Edwards, the daughter that resulted from their affair, and the elaborate -- and ultimately unsuccessful -- attempt to cover everything up.
We are a family, but as of the end of last week John Edwards and I are no longer a couple, Hunter told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday. Not at all.
Edwards' married campaign aide Andrew Young famously took the fall for Hunter's pregnancy at first until mostly everyone came clean. (Edwards went through different stages of public denial. He first denied the affair. He later admitted to the affair but denied the child was his. He ultimately admitted to everything in January of 2010.)
Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, who was battling cancer at the time, separated shortly after the announcement. She died in December of that year.
This is not the first time that Hunter is featured in a book. Politico reported that author Jay McInerney, a former flame of Hunter's, admitted to CBS News that the main character in his 1988 novel Story of My Life, a wild party girl, was based on her.
ABC News and the Associated Press obtained copies of Hunter's memoir ahead of the release date. According to an AP report, Hunter wrote that Edwards is a good father to the daughter he initially denied was his.
He is a great dad to her when he is with her, she wrote.
She referred to the late Elizabeth Edwards as a witch on wheels who worked hard to preserve a saintly public image, according to an ABC News report. She also hinted that her own relationship with Edwards might be on the rocks.
I really have no idea what will happen with us, she wrote, ABC News reported. The jury is still out. But I can honestly say that the ending is of no concern to me anymore. The love is here. And as sappy as it may sound, I love living in love.
Hunter told Good Morning America on Tuesday that she still loves Edwards and thinks he still loves her.
Stephanopoulos asked Hunter if she would do it all over again.
No way, she said. Absolutely not. We hope her daughter never comes across footage of the interview when she grows up.
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