After becoming president in 1993, Bill Clinton became famous globally. A long and successful political career followed for the Arkansas native, but his affair with intern Monica Lewinsky tarnished his White House reputation.
Bill has been married to Hillary Clinton for 45 years despite the scandalous affair. They met in college and supported one other through many challenges.
After three attempts, Hillary finally married Bill.
Everything about Bill and Hillary Clinton’s marriage.
In Hope, Arkansas, William Jefferson Blythe III became Bill Clinton on August 19, 1946. Virginia Kelley lost her father in a car accident three months before Bill was born.
Bill Clinton childhood
He was four when his mother married Roger Clinton. But his stepfather was evil. He allegedly drunkenly beat Bill’s mother.
Strangely, I never hated my stepfather, Roger Clinton. He said, “Even after he pulled the trigger in here, when he was drunk, and beat my mother, even after I got big enough to stop him.”
“I knew he was a good man with a drink problem. He destroyed and hated because he had too many demons to handle. Though I detested his behavior, I never hated him.”
His schoolmates never heard about family life. In his memoir, Bill Clinton dubbed his childhood and adulthood “two parallel lives” before becoming a politician. Stepfather’s acts were his dark secret.
Bill took his last name in high school notwithstanding Roger Clinton’s activities. He retained his biological father William Jefferson’s first and second names but not his surname.
“I think the fact that I was born without a father, and that I spent a lifetime trying to put together a picture of one also had a lot to do with how I turned out,” Bill remarked.
“Good and bad. Still, better than bad. It helped greatly.”
Meeting JFK
Bill did well at school. Excellent saxophonist and student. Many wanted him to play professionally. Today, we discover fate had different plans.
A high school experience sparked Bill’s political career. He represented Boys Nation to President John F. Kennedy in the White House Rose Garden. The shaking hands photo is famous.
Bill, the third or fourth guy in the meeting, pushed his way to the front.
Bill Clinton’s friends said he couldn’t stop talking about the thrilling occasion on the drive home from the meeting.
Clinton told future Minnesota Congressman Jim Ramstad, “Someday, I’m going to have that job.”
Bill went to Georgetown. After obtaining a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford in 1968, he graduated from Yale Law.
At Yale, he met Hillary Rodham, his life partner, and improved his political prospects.
Hillary and Bill Clinton’s romance
Bill and Hillary studied law at Yale. His early memories of her were shared at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
“In spring of 1971, I met a girl,” Bill said. I met her in politics and civil rights class. She wore big glasses, thick blonde hair, and no makeup. Her strength and self-confidence attracted me.”
They had met several times on campus, but one in 1971 changed everything.
Hillary and Bill studied at different law libraries. Hillary saw Bill staring at her. The girl asked Bill about her book after putting it down.
“If you stare at me, I’ll stare back. Our names should be known. Who is Hillary Rodham? Bill recalls Hillary’s words.
Next president was speechless. He introduced himself and they reunited. Bill decided to ask Hillary out after growing on her.
Bill said at the 2016 DNC, “She exuded this sense of strength and self-possession that I found magnetic.”
I recommended walking to the art gallery. We’ve spoken, laughed, and walked since then.”
Why Hillary twice rejected Bill
Bill and Hillary liked politics. They dated and worked on George McGovern’s presidential campaign the next year. Hillary and Bill were pleased with their work despite his loss. Not least because Bill wanted to keep working well together.
In 1973, he proposed to Hillary in England. Unfortunately, Hillary declined Bill Clinton, citing scheduling constraints. She loved him deeply.
Bill saw the universe differently. Different relationship level. Hillary: “He was the most interesting man I ever met, and ever would meet,” Hulu documentary.
In 2016, Hillary told Girls actress Lena Dunham she was “terrified” of losing her identity to “Bill’s force-of-nature-personality.” The young woman wasn’t sure she could commit to a spotlight job because Bill wanted to be a politician.
Bill proposed again a year later. As usual, she declined.
I married my best friend.I won’t ask again until you say yes. Hillary claimed that was a huge part of her ambivalence and fear that she wouldn’t know who she was or what she could do if she married someone sure of his path.
Hillary agreed a third time after Bill waited. The Arkansas couple married in 1975 in their living room. Few relatives and friends attended the ceremony.
I married my best buddy. “After four years, I was still amazed at her intelligence, strength, love, and care,” Bill said of their wedding.
“It was a big leap of faith, and I think most marriages are,” Hillary added.
Firstborn Chelsea Clinton was born in 1980.
Politically active Bill and Hillary attained the White House. Bill Clinton became governor of Arkansas in 1978 and president in 1993. Hillary rose to national prominence as a lawyer.
The Monica Lewinsky scandal overshadowed Bill’s eight years in administration.
Clinton–Lewinsky scandal
Lewinsky joined the White House at 22. A two-year affair with President Bill Clinton began when she flirted with him.
After Lewinsky remarked, “I have a crush on you,” Clinton asked, “Well, do you want to come into the back office?”
Clinton and Lewinsky’s affair surfaced in 1998. Lewinsky went before a grand jury after her phone was tapped and calls recorded. Finally, the nearly 3,000-page Clinton-Lewinsky report was revealed.
President Clinton called her a liar, denying a relationship “with that woman.” Lewinsky said she would do anything to remain anonymous.
“That people could read the transcripts was horrific enough,” Lewinsky told TED. A few weeks later, the calls aired on TV and online. Public humiliation hurt. Life was almost unbearable.”
Bill, Hillary Clinton
Shutterstock Evan El-Amin
The scandal may have ended Clinton’s marriage. But Hillary stayed. In her 2003 memoir, she described sticking with Bill “the most difficult decision I have made in my life”.
“I couldn’t imagine how he hurt me”
“I was furious, dumbfounded, and just beside myself with anger and disappointment,” Hillary told Barbara Walters in 2003. “I couldn’t imagine how he could have hurt me or anyone else.”
Bill and Hillary moved to Chappaqua after leaving the White House in 2001. Hillary entered politics while the former president consulted humanitarian and public policy groups.
She was elected to the NY Senate in 2001 and served until 2009. Hillary returned as Obama’s Secretary of State. Trump defeated Clinton in 2016.
Bill and Hillary did other kind things after losing. First grandchildren arrived in 2014, then 2016, then 2019.
Hillary and Bill today
Bill and Hillary Clinton remain in love despite numerous obstacles. Their 45th wedding anniversary was in 2022. Bill Clinton tweeted his love for his wife.
45 years ago, October 11th was lovely. Still is. Beautiful bride. Still is,” Bill Clinton tweeted with a couple photo.
“Happy Anniversary, Hillary. I love you.”
“45 years. Hillary posted on Instagram, “Not a dull moment, and you’re still my closest friend.” “Love you, Bill.”
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