Hillary Clinton

NAME Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Hillary Clinton is a prominent American politician, diplomat, lawyer, writer, and public speaker. She is famous for being the First Lady of the United States (1993-2001), U.S. Senator from New York (2001-2009), the 67th U.S. Secretary of State (2009-2013), and the first female presidential nominee of a major U.S. political party (2016).

BIRTH Hillary Clinton was born on October 26, 1947, at Edgewater Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Hillary was raised in Park Ridge, a suburb 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Her parents were Hugh E. Rodham, a small business owner, and Dorothy Emma Howell Rodham. She grew up with two younger brothers, Hugh and Tony. Her great-grandfather, Jonathan Rodham, was a coal miner in northeast England.

CHILDHOOD Hillary Clinton had a typical suburban upbringing in Park Ridge. As a child, she aspired to be an astronaut and even wrote to that affect to NASA. She attended Maine East High School, where she was active in politics and was elected president of the Young Republicans chapter before switching to the Democratic Party.

EDUCATION Clinton attended Maine East from 1961-1964 and then Wellesley College, where she graduated in 1969 with a degree in political science. She then went on to Yale Law School, where she met her future husband, Bill Clinton, and graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1973.

CAREER RECORD After Yale, Hillary worked on various public service projects and was one of the few female lawyers advising the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate scandal. 

She became the First Lady of Arkansas in 1979 and later the First Lady of the United States when Bill Clinton became president in 1993. 

Hillary Clinton was a U.S. Senator from New York (2001-2009), Secretary of State under President Obama (2009-2013), and the Democratic nominee for president in 2016.

APPEARANCE Hillary Clinton has a round face with soft features. She has blue eyes and a warm smile. Her hair is typically styled in a short, face-framing cut that flatters her round face shape.

Clinton in 2016 by Gage Skidmore https://commons.wikimedia.org/

FASHION Clinton's style has evolved over the years, moving away from dated pantsuits to more modern and flattering outfits. She often wears elegant, classic shapes that are both feminine and professional. 

Clinton typically wears makeup that enhances her features without being overstated. She often wears a clear red lipstick that complements her overall look.

CHARACTER Hillary Clinton is known for her resilience, hard work, and persistence, often continuing to push forward despite numerous political challenges. Her tenacity has been admired by both supporters and critics.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Despite her serious public persona, Clinton has shown a lighter side in various interviews, often laughing at herself and making lighthearted jokes about her political journey. For example, she once remarked that she was attracted to Bill Clinton because "he wasn’t afraid of me."

RELATIONSHIPS Hillary met Bill Clinton when were classmates at Yale Law School. They married on October 11, 1975 in the living room of their new home in Fayetteville, Arkansas, when Hillary was working as a faculty member at the Law School of the University of Arkansas. She often speaks of their relationship as one built on mutual respect. 

They have one daughter, Chelsea Clinton, who was born on February 27, 1980, in Little Rock, Arkansas, while her father was Governor of Arkansas. Her name was inspired by the Joni Mitchell song "Chelsea Morning."

Chelsea grew up in the public eye, spending much of her childhood in the White House during her father's presidency. She married Marc Mezvinsky on July 31, 2010.

Chelsea in 2024 by UKinUSA - https://www.flickr.com/photos

MONEY AND FAME Over the years, Hillary Clinton has gained considerable wealth from her speaking engagements, book deals, and her political career. Her fame, both positive and negative, has made her a global figure in politics.

FOOD AND DRINK Clinton loves spicy food and always carries chili flakes and Tabasco sauce in her handbag. One of her favorite desserts, as prepared by a former White House pastry chef, is mocha mousse cake.

MUSIC AND ARTS During a conversation at the Detroit Opera House about her 2024 book Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty, Hillary Clinton shared a humorous memory with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “I love to sing, but nobody loves to listen,” Clinton admitted, recounting how she used to sing “Moon River” to baby Chelsea. “I did it for 14, 15, 16 months, something like that,” she said. Then came a turning point. “Once Chelsea learned to talk,” Clinton recalled with a laugh, “she took her little finger, put it on my mouth, and said, ‘No sing, mommy.’”

Still, Clinton hasn’t entirely retired her singing voice, though she admits she only serenades her three grandchildren “when my daughter’s not around.”

Clinton has shown interest in theater by becoming a producer for the Broadway musical Suffs about the suffragist movement. She expressed enthusiasm for the show, saying, "I'm going to go out marching to do something! I cannot tell you, it's such a joy. It's going to change history."

Hillary Clinton won a Grammy in 1997 for Best Spoken Word Album for the audio version of her book It Takes a Village.

LITERATURE A fan of mystery novels, Clinton enjoys relaxing by reading in her spare time. 

Hillary Clinton has authored and co-authored several books over the years, spanning a range of topics from policy to personal memoirs. Here’s a list of her most notable works:

1. It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us (1996)

Clinton’s first book, published during her time as First Lady, focuses on the importance of community in raising children. The book emphasizes the idea that families, schools, and neighborhoods all play a crucial role in child development. It became a bestseller and won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for her audiobook recording.

2. An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History (2000)

In this book, Clinton offers a behind-the-scenes look at life in the White House, sharing details about its history, traditions, and everyday activities during her years as First Lady. The book includes photographs and personal anecdotes, making it part memoir, part historical guide.

3. Living History (2003)

This memoir chronicles Clinton’s life from her early years through her time as First Lady. Published after she left the White House, the book covers major events in her life, including her marriage to Bill Clinton, her work as First Lady, and her role in national politics. Living History was a massive bestseller.

4. Hard Choices (2014)

This memoir focuses on Clinton’s years as Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013. It details the major foreign policy challenges she faced, including the Arab Spring, the killing of Osama bin Laden, and her efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties around the world. Clinton frames these issues as difficult decisions, hence the title Hard Choices.

5. What Happened (2017)

After her loss to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, Clinton published What Happened, a candid and deeply personal reflection on the campaign, the election, and its aftermath. The book also addresses broader political and societal issues, including Russian interference, sexism, and the challenges of running for office as a woman.

6. The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience (2019)

Co-written with her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, this book profiles women throughout history and contemporary times who have shown great courage and leadership. From Harriet Tubman to Malala Yousafzai, the book celebrates the achievements and contributions of inspiring women across a wide array of fields.

7. State of Terror (2021)

Clinton’s first foray into fiction, State of Terror is a political thriller co-written with bestselling author Louise Penny. The novel centers on a novice Secretary of State who must navigate a high-stakes international crisis involving nuclear weapons and terrorism. The book was well-received and became a bestseller.

NATURE Hillary enjoys walking in nature, often going on long walks with her husband and their dogs, . It was during one such walk that President Obama called her to offer the role of Secretary of State.

PETS During the Clintons' time in the White House, they had two pets: Socks, a cat, and Buddy, a Labrador retriever. Socks was a stray who had jumped into Chelsea Clinton’s arms in 1991 and became part of the family. However, when Bill Clinton left office, Socks did not move with them. Instead, he went to live with Clinton’s secretary, Betty Currie, in suburban Virginia, due to ongoing conflicts with Buddy, the family's dog.

Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets was a children's book written by Hillary Clinton. Published on November 17, 1998, it is a collection of letters from children addressed to the Clintons' pets, Socks the cat and Buddy the dog. Hillary Clinton selected and responded to some of the letters, offering insights into life at the White House from the pets' perspective. The book also served as a way to engage with children and raise funds for literacy initiatives.

Clinton mentioned that a perfect day for her would include "go[ing] for a long walk probably with our dogs."

HOBBIES AND SPORTS  Clinton enjoys decorating and choosing colors for her home. Clinton mentioned having fun picking "the right shades to go on the wall" with her mother.

She has mentioned that swimming is "one of my absolutely favorite things to do."

SCIENCE AND MATHS As a child, Hillary wanted to pursue science by becoming an astronaut. However, she was told by NASA that they did not accept women in their program at that time.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Clinton grew up attending First United Methodist Church in Park Ridge, Illinois. Her mother taught Sunday school, and Clinton was active in youth group, Bible studies, and altar guild.

Clinton cites her Methodist upbringing as a major influence on her commitment to social justice and public service. She often references John Wesley's teaching to "do all the good you can."

As an adult, Clinton has remained active in Methodist churches, including teaching Sunday school in Arkansas and attending Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington D.C.

Clinton describes her faith as deeply personal. She's been part of prayer groups, receives daily Scripture readings, and has attended church regularly throughout her life. She believes in the resurrection of Jesus but is less certain about Christianity being the only path to salvation. She takes a centrist view on Biblical interpretation.

Her faith has shaped her political views, though some conservatives argue she has deviated from traditional Methodist doctrine on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.

POLITICS Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is one of those figures in American life who seems to have done just about everything, short of astronaut training, and she considered that at some point. 

As a teenager, Hillary Rodham was, rather unexpectedly, a Goldwater Girl. Yes, that’s right—the future Democratic presidential candidate started out canvassing for the staunchly conservative Richard Nixon at the age of 13 and later volunteered for Barry Goldwater's campaign in 1964, a man whose slogan, you may recall, was “In your heart, you know he’s right.” (The counter-slogan, whispered by less enthusiastic members of the public, was: “In your guts, you know he’s nuts.”) Nevertheless, young Hillary enthusiastically embraced her father’s Republican leanings and even became president of the Young Republicans Club during her freshman year at Wellesley College.

But the world has a funny way of nudging you in unexpected directions. The 1960s were a time of seismic change, and Hillary, like so many of her generation, found her views evolving. Hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak in 1962 sparked something in her—an awareness of civil rights and social justice that began to challenge her earlier beliefs. By 1968, she was venturing beyond party lines, exploring the political spectrum, and working for politicians on both sides of the aisle. It was as if the political winds had shifted, and Hillary, ever attuned to the larger forces at work, was starting to reconsider where she stood.

By the end of 1968, she made a decisive break from the Republican Party, later explaining that it wasn’t so much that she left the party as that the party had, in her words, “left her.” When she met Bill Clinton at Yale in 1971, her transformation was complete. The two shared a passion for social justice and progressive causes, and her once-conservative roots were now firmly planted in Democratic soil. 

After graduating from Wellesley College and then Yale Law School, Hillary moved to Arkansas, where she not only co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families but also married Bill Clinton, who of course would eventually go on to become the 42nd president of the United States. Hillary, for her part, became the first First Lady to also hold elected office, a feat made all the more impressive when you consider she had to navigate both the complexities of national politics and the even more complex nuances of living with Bill.

As First Lady from 1993 to 2001, she took on the ambitious task of reforming America’s healthcare system. Unfortunately, her healthcare plan, rather like a soufflé in the hands of a novice chef, collapsed spectacularly when it failed to gain approval from Congress. Undeterred, she turned her attention to advocating for children’s health programs and women’s rights, famously giving a speech at the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing where she declared, "Women’s rights are human rights," a phrase that, somehow, had not yet caught on.

On November 7, 2000, she became the first female senator from New York, thus proving that she could win over the state’s famously skeptical voters despite never having lived there before. She worked tirelessly on behalf of the state, including advocating for medical benefits for September 11 first responders, before taking a crack at the presidency in 2008. She lost that race to Barack Obama, but not one to be sidelined, she promptly joined his administration as Secretary of State.

As Secretary, she managed to juggle everything from military interventions in Libya to advocating for global health initiatives. Her time as Secretary wasn’t without controversy, though. The Benghazi attack in 2012 and the subsequent political firestorm saw her under relentless scrutiny, though none more intense than the hullabaloo over her private email server, which became the single most talked-about issue during her second presidential run in 2016. This, despite the fact that she was busy becoming the first woman to win the presidential nomination of a major U.S. party and the first woman to win the popular vote for the presidency, even though she lost the Electoral College to Donald Trump.

Not one to be put off by such minor details as losing the presidency, Hillary continued her career as a public figure, taking on academic roles, joining Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace, and Security and later Columbia University as a Professor of Practice. In the midst of all that, she even found time to become the chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, ensuring that her influence stretches across the Atlantic as well.

Oh, and if you ever happen to have a conversation with her, make sure to bring some hot sauce—she’s known for keeping a bottle of Tabasco in her handbag at all times, ready to spice things up, much like her career.

SCANDAL Hillary Clinton has been involved in several political controversies, most notably the Benghazi incident and the use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State. These issues were highly scrutinized during her 2016 presidential campaign.

MILITARY RECORD Hillary Clinton was involved in key military decisions as Secretary of State, such as the U.S. intervention in Libya.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Though she has maintained good health, Clinton suffered from a few public health incidents, including a fainting spell in 2012 that resulted in a concussion.

HOMES Hillary Clinton and her husband own homes in Chappaqua, New York, and Washington, D.C.

TRAVEL As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton became something of a globe-trotting ambassador, logging a staggering 956,733 miles and visiting 112 countries in an effort to promote U.S. foreign policy and human rights.

Hillary Clinton revealed in 2014 that she hadn't driven a car in about 20 years. This information came to light during a speech she gave at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in New Orleans on January 27, 2014. During her remarks, Clinton said:

"The last time I actually drove a car myself was 1996. I remember it very well. Unfortunately, so does the Secret Service, which is why I haven't driven since then."

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Hillary Clinton has made numerous appearances in the media throughout her decades-long career, becoming a focal point of both political and popular culture. Here are some key highlights:

1. TELEVISION INTERVIEWS & TALK SHOWS

As a public figure, Hillary Clinton has been a regular on news programs and talk shows. She’s appeared on major platforms like 60 Minutes, Meet the Press, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Daily Show. Whether discussing policy, her books, or reflecting on her career, Clinton’s interviews often draw significant attention due to her candid insights and wit.

2. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (SNL)

Clinton has been parodied on SNL for decades, with comedians like Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon famously impersonating her. In 2015, during her presidential campaign, Clinton herself appeared on the show alongside McKinnon, portraying a bartender named Val who listens to “Hillary” (McKinnon) vent about politics. The sketch was both humorous and self-deprecating, showing Clinton's ability to poke fun at her public persona.

3. DOCUMENTARIES & FILMS

Clinton has been featured in several documentaries, most notably Hulu’s 2020 four-part series Hillary. The documentary offers an in-depth look at her personal life and political career, including behind-the-scenes footage from her 2016 presidential campaign and insights into her earlier years. She also appeared in The War Room (1993), a documentary about Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign, and has been featured in various historical and political documentaries over the years.

4. LATE-NIGHT SHOWS & POP CULTURE MOMENTS

Aside from news and political shows, Clinton has frequently made appearances on late-night television, where she has showcased a more relaxed and humorous side. In 2016, she appeared on Between Two Ferns with comedian Zach Galifianakis, where she participated in the show’s signature deadpan, awkward style of humor. She’s also appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, engaging in light-hearted segments that range from discussing her love for spicy food to participating in humorous sketches.

5. MEDIA PORTRAYALS IN FILM AND TELEVISION

Clinton has been portrayed in dramatizations of political events, such as in the 2018 series The Clinton Affair, which examined the Lewinsky scandal, and in Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021). These portrayals focus on key moments in her life, including her time as First Lady during the Clinton presidency and the personal and political ramifications of those years.

ACHIEVEMENTS Clinton has numerous achievements, including being the first female U.S. Senator from New York, the first woman to win a major U.S. party's presidential nomination, and winning a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.