Karine Jean-Pierre announces separation from partner Suzanne Malveaux, ends 10-year relationship
WASHINGTON, DC: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has revealed her split from her partner Suzanne Malveaux with whom she had been in a relationship since 10 years.
The revelation was made in a candid interview with Vogue which was published on Thursday, September 7 when the 49-year-old talked about the shared custody of their young daughter, Soleil.
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"I’m a single mom who is co-parenting this amazing kid. Our number one priority is her privacy and to make sure we create an environment that’s nurturing," Pierre told Vogue.
How long did Karine Jean-Pierre and Suzanne Malveaux date?
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In 2012, Jean-Pierre and the former CNN anchor met for the first time at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, reported Independent.
Malveaux, who left CNN in January 2023, served as a White House correspondent for the network for more than a decade.
Jean-Pierre was working the re-election campaign for President Barack Obama when she met Malveaux who was covering the convention as a correspondent for CNN.
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In her 2019 memoir 'Moving Forward', Jean-Pierre recalled saying, "We met at a donor party being held in a nightclub. I know it’s a cliche, but the truth is, I spotted her across a crowded dance floor."
Though the duo remained in contact over email, they began dating only in November 2012.
Before they moved in together in Washington, DC, at the beginning of 2014, they were in a long-distance relationship, reported Independent.
Jean-Pierre formally adopted her daughter Soleil
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The exes welcomed Soleil in May 2014 after Malveaux initiated the adoption process shortly after she and the White House press secretary began dating.
Jean-Pierre opened up about having a child was "a thousand percent" not on her agenda, but eventually embraced the role and formally adopted their daughter a few years after her birth.
Why is Karine Jean-Pierre worried about her daughter Soleil's safety?
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Speaking about Soleil, the public figure revealed she "worries" about the safety of their daughter.
"People who love me are concerned. But I do not walk around fearful for my life or my security. That is not something I worry about. I worry more for my daughter," she said.
"We talk about her feelings all the time. I ask her all the time: ‘Are you happy? How’s it going?’ And she’ll tell me," she continued.
“That’s the nice part - being the parent that you wish you had. My parents were amazing, but they were trying to survive," Jean-Pierre added.