New York Gov. David Paterson told the Daily News in an interview that he and his wife had extramarital affairs.

Both Paterson, 53, and his wife, Michelle, 46, acknowledged in a joint interview with the newspaper they each had intimate relationships with others during a rocky period in their marriage several years ago.

Paterson told the Daily News that he maintained a relationship with another woman from 1999 until 2001. He and his wife eventually sought counseling and repaired their relationship.

The couple agreed to speak publicly about their marriage in response to rumors about Paterson's personal life that have been swirling in Albany since Spitzer resigned, the Daily News reported Monday on its Web site.

Paterson rose from the lieutenant governor's office after Spitzer resigned last week amid allegations that he hired a call girl from a high-priced escort service. It was a dramatic fall for Spitzer, who was elected with an overwhelming share of the vote and who had vowed to root out corruption at the state Capitol.