Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed on Friday that she has separated from her partner, television journalist Andrea Giambruno, following recent criticism of his sexist on-air comments. In a Facebook statement, Meloni announced the end of her nearly 10-year relationship with Giambruno, acknowledging that their paths had diverged for some time. The couple has a young daughter together.

Giambruno hosts a news program on Mediaset, which is part of the MFE media group owned by the heirs of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is an ally of Meloni.

La mia relazione con Andrea Giambruno, durata quasi dieci anni, finisce qui. Lo ringrazio per gli anni splendidi che abbiamo trascorso insieme, per le difficoltà che abbiamo attraversato, e per avermi regalato la cosa più importante della mia vita, che è nostra figlia Ginevra.… pic.twitter.com/1IpvfN8MgA

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 20, 2023

This separation comes in the wake of controversy surrounding Giambruno’s remarks on his show. Off-air excerpts from his program were broadcast on another Mediaset show, featuring him using foul language and making advances to a female colleague. Giambruno’s remarks included suggestive comments and boasts about an affair, as well as propositions related to group sex.

In August, Giambruno faced criticism for victim-blaming comments following a gang rape case, where he suggested that avoiding getting drunk could prevent certain problems. Meloni had previously stated that she should not be judged for her partner’s comments and that she would not respond to questions about his behavior in the future.