Newt Gingrich's ex-wife claims he asked for an open marriage. (courtesy Creative Commons)

Marianne's claims about Newt were made during a pre-taped seven-minute “Nightline” interview that aired late Thursday.

The interview was her first televised interview since the 1999 divorce, according to Yahoo News.

Marianne said Newt admitted to having a six-year affair with Callista, a Congressional aide, and asked Marianne to “share him” with her. Marianne refused and Callista is now Newt’s wife.

Marianne said the two had their affair “in my bedroom in our apartment in Washington.  And he always called me at night.  He always ended with, ‘I love you.’ Well, she was there, listening,” according to the L.A. Times.

Newt Gingrich fiercely denied these claims at the CNN GOP debate in South Carolina. 

"I stand by my story," Marianne Gingrich said after watching Thursday's debate, according to Yahoo News. "If [Newt] had really changed, he could've stepped up and said he was sorry."

Reach associate news editor Hannah Madans here.