New York City ? It was embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ wife who persuaded him to pack it in.

The nation’s beleaguered top lawman decided to resign last week after his wife, Rebecca, urged him to abandon his long-shot fight to stay in office, friends told Newsweek.

Gonzales’ wife told him to give up after they came back from a summer vacation, the magazine said.

His decision last week to quit was surprising because President Bush continued to strongly support him in the face of withering pressure.

Congress has had Gonzales squarely in its sights for months for myriad controversies, including the politically tinged firings of U.S. attorneys and Bush’s warrantless wiretap program.

The president isn’t expected to name a candidate to replace him until he returns from an economic summit in Australia this week.