Indian visit brings Valerie Trierweiler back to earth after split with Hollande

A smiling Valerie Trierweiler braved a media scrum yesterday as she toured a hospital in India in her first public appearance since separating from French President Francois Hollande.

The former first lady appeared relaxed but declined to talk to a crowd of journalists about her private life as she began a two-day charity trip by visiting a Mumbai centre for premature babies.

Wearing a dark blue dress and heels, the glamorous 48-year-old insisted she would only talk about her work promoting French charity Action Against Hunger.

She flew in from Paris late on Sunday and was to give a press conference in the afternoon at the five-star Taj hotel after visiting another hospital and attending a fund-raising lunch.

"It's very impressive to see these babies of less than one kilogram with very limited chances of survival," she said.

Hollande announced on Saturday that he was splitting from his partner of eight years following media scrutiny over his relationship with French actress Julie Gayet, 41.