Confirmed: Edwards and wife legally separate

When Elizabeth learned in March 2007 that her breast cancer had returned, it became part of the couple’s political calculations in his presidential run, according to Edwards’ former aide Andrew Young who has written a tell-all book “The Politician.” The book will be released Jan. 30.

“Once Elizabeth was diagnosed with cancer … within 12 hours they were openly talking about how her cancer prognosis was going to help them in the polls,” Young told ABC News’ Bob Woodruff in an exclusive interview.

In a statement to ABC News, Elizabeth denied the accusation, calling it “unconscionable, hurtful and patently false.”