Germany's media-conscious Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schroder, usually seems able to shrug off political attacks from foes in big business, in other countries and even trade unions.
But the wrath of a former wife has the power to score direct hits on anyone's sensitive areas and this week Mr Schroder suffered a scathing critique from his ex-wife, Hiltrud. She lambasted his two-year record in government during a TV interview on Tuesday night, criticising him for failing to deliver on his election promises and adding that she was thinking of leaving his Social Democratic Party.
"It is not enough to change the government but to continue with the old policies," she said. "That goes for the example of withdrawal from atomic energy and environmental protection. Not enough is being done there."
Mrs Schroder added that she was frustrated by what she saw as short-termism in relaxing visa restrictions to attract foreigners to fill specialist job vacancies.
"I am also very critical of what the Green Card move means," she said. "We don't necessarily have to bring workers in from abroad when at home people have no jobs."
Hiltrud, the third Mrs Schroder, was outspoken on political issues during her 13-year marriage to Mr Schroder while he was governor of Lower Saxony.
During their split and divorce three years ago she hit out a number of times at her former husband, describing him as power-hungry and willing to compromise his principles for high office.
However, since Mr Schroder has been Chancellor, she has remained in the background while his fourth wife, a former journalist, Doris Schroder-Kopf, has been a loyal and largely apolitical partner.
Her most widely reported comments have concerned the Chancellor's weight. She recently banned him from eating sausages and put him on a diet.