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Valerie Plame Wilson on Keeping Her Marriage Together

By Richard B. Stolley

Sunday October 28, 2007 01:45 PM EDT

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Keeping your marriage together in the face of threats, money problems and political attacks must have been difficult. What was the lowest point?
2004 was truly the year from hell. There was the Republican National convention, and the occasion was used as a sort of pre-Swift-boating, except of Joe Wilson, not John Kerry. Then I was accused of having suggested Joe, recommended him, sent him to Niger, all of which were false allegations.

It was so distorted, so twisted, and Joe was furious with me because he felt he had defended me gallantly, and I was not coming to his defense – although he understood that as an employee of the Agency I could not speak publicly. It was just tearing us apart. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I felt the only thing that will save my marriage, is that goddamn it, I'm not going to let them have that too. We will get through this.

Why did you include a chapter on your postpartum depression?
I felt that I had extremely high coping skills, but the depression hit me like a ton of bricks. I had no idea what was happening to me. My publisher indulged me in letting me tell this little piece of the story, because I feel passionate about it, about education and advocacy. It is so easily diagnosed and easily treated. Maybe my book can help someone else.

What's the status of your book being made into a movie?
From everything I see of Hollywood, I can't believe any movies get made at all. There is a script, and that's progress, I suppose. I have no idea who should play me. Sure, I have favorite actresses, but it's totally out of my control. I just hope it's someone with intelligence and good skills. That's a lot to ask in Hollywood.