Dominique Strauss-Kahn is believed to have separated from his wife of more than two decades.

The former IMF chief and his wife, Anne Sinclair, maintained a unite front as he was accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid last summer.

But after weeks of speculation, according to French media reports Ms Sinclair, the journalist and heiress to her art dealer grandfather's fortune, has thrown her husband out of their Paris home.

French magazine Closer claimed that the couple split up last month and are now living apart from each other.

Mr Staruss-Kahn, who was tipped to become France's first Jewish prime minister until the scandal broke in May 2011, is being formally investigated over his alleged connection to a prostitution ring. The hotel maid who accused him of rape has also brought a civil case against him.

"He's shunned by everybody," a friend of Mr Strauss-Kahn told Reuters.