Romanian MP and recent challenger for the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) leadership Elena Udrea (in picture) has divorced her husband of ten years Dorin Cocoş. The divorce was finalized “amicably” yesterday (June 10) according to a statement issued by Cocoş and Udrea.

They cited the incompatibility of their respective careers, politics and business, and the lack of personal time together as the motive for their split. External pressures “have damaged their marriage irreparably,” and after a “long and deep analysis of their relationship” they have ended their marriage, reads the statement released by the couple.

Cocoş and Udrea also requested that their privacy be respected, as well as thanking family and friends for their support.

Elena Udrea is one of Romania’s highest profile politicians and has attracted plenty of local and international media attention throughout her career. She boldly posed for a fashion magazine, in an issue dedicated to powerful women, after she had caught the media’s eye with the expensive Dolce & Gabbana dress she wore during a TV show and a press conference. Her expensive taste in fashion has been both criticized and lauded, and she has stated that politics can be “done in high heels,” as well as by the blonde and the young.

Udrea also made international headlines for having sent high heeled shoes to some flooded areas, as help for those in distress. Before becoming a minister, she was lampooned for not knowing that Norway is a monarchy and not part of the European Union.

The more gossip orientated parts of the media have also speculated on an alleged love affair between president Basescu and Elena Udrea.

Before becoming a minister, Udrea, a law graduate, was a member of the Democratic Liberal Party, having got involved in politics in 2002. In 2005, she became a state counselor and the head of president Traian Basescu’s chancellery. She had worked with Basescu before, during his mandate as Bucharest mayor, when Udrea was a counselor, president of the Judicial and Discipline Commission at Bucharest City Hall.

Udrea has previously held a ministerial seat was Tourism Minister and Environment Minister interim for a time.

Her now ex-husband Dorin Cocoş is a businessman involved mainly in real estate, as well as owns a chain of parking lots in Bucharest. His son Alin Cocoş is developing the site for the new H&M store in Bucharest's Old Town and will own the building when complete.

editor@romania-insider.com