Ms Dati is a single parent, who recently had a baby but would not reveal who the father is.
Photos of Dati in designer jewellery and dresses have often been featured in magazines.
However, although she is quitting her role as justice minister, Ms Dati will be a candidate for the ruling UMP party in the European elections being held in June.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has not made public the reason why Dati is leaving office but he did explain that she could not remain in her current position if she became a Euro MP.
Dati has not made any comments as yet about her resignation.
