Bill Clinton

NAME Bill Clinton (Born William Jefferson Blythe III)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR 42nd President of the United States (1993-2001)

BIRTH Born August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Bill Clinton’s biological father, William Jefferson Blythe, died in a car accident three months before his birth. His mother, Virginia Clinton Kelley, was a nurse anesthetist. She later married Roger Clinton, a car salesman, and Bill took his stepfather's last name in high school.

CHILDHOOD Clinton grew up in Hope and Hot Springs, Arkansas. By the age of 14, he was already over six feet tall. His interest in politics was sparked early on, and at 16, he shook hands with President John F. Kennedy, a moment that left a lasting impact on him.

EDUCATION Bill Clinton excelled academically, attending Georgetown University, Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and Yale Law School, where he met his future wife, Hillary Rodham.

CAREER RECORD Bill Clinton—William Jefferson Clinton, if you're feeling formal—has worn many hats in his life: lawyer, governor, saxophone player, husband, and most famously, the 42nd president of the United States. 

Clinton started his political career in Arkansas, serving as Attorney General and then Governor. He earned the nickname “Boy Governor” after becoming the governor of Arkansas at the age of 32 in 1978. He served multiple terms before becoming the 42nd President of the United States in 1993, where he served two terms. Notably, he was the first baby boomer president.

Post-presidency, Clinton dove headfirst into philanthropy. He set up the Clinton Foundation, which has tackled everything from HIV/AIDS prevention to climate change, and became a globetrotting advocate for various humanitarian causes. He also teamed up with George W. Bush to help raise funds for Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake. 

APPEARANCE Bill Clinton has a round, full face with prominent cheekbones, blue eyes and a slightly ruddy complexion. He is known for his warm, charismatic smile that often reaches his eyes.

Throughout most of his presidency and public life, Clinton has had thick, wavy gray hair. In his younger years, particularly during his first presidential campaign in 1992, his hair was a mix of gray and light brown.

Clinton is tall, standing at about 6'2" (188 cm). His weight has fluctuated over the years, but he generally has a solid, somewhat stocky build. 

FASHION As president and in formal settings, Clinton is often seen wearing well-tailored suits, typically in dark colors like navy or charcoal He frequently wears red or blue ties, reflecting the colors of the American flag.

In more casual settings, Clinton may be seen in khakis and button-down shirts or polo shirts

CHARACTER Bill Clinton is known for his intelligence, ambition, and political acumen. His ability to connect with people from various backgrounds made him an effective communicator and leader.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Clinton's sense of humor was evident in moments like his saxophone performance on The Arsenio Hall Show. He could also laugh at himself, as demonstrated when he ended a lengthy 1988 speech with "In closing...", to the delight of the audience who had grown impatient.

RELATIONSHIPS Bill Clinton first spotted Hillary Rodham in a Yale Law School class on political and civil rights.  In his memoir, Bill Clinton described his first impression of Hillary: He noted that she had "thick dark blond hair" and wore eyeglasses with no makeup. Bill was particularly struck by Hillary's sense of strength and self-possession, which he found magnetic. After this initial meeting, their relationship began to develop

They married on October 11, 1975. The wedding took place in the living room of their new home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was a small, intimate ceremony with only 15 guests in attendance and a local Methodist minister and his wife officiated the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, the Clintons' friends hosted a larger reception in their backyard. The day after the wedding, a large reception with over 200 guests was held at the home of Ann and Morriss Henry, two prominent young Democrats in town.

The couple's honeymoon was unconventional – they took Hillary's entire immediate family with them to Acapulco

They have one daughter, Chelsea Clinton, named after Joni Mitchell’s song "Chelsea Morning." 

Clinton was a key figure in both Hillary's 2008 and 2016 presidential runs, giving speeches, shaking hands, and generally being the supportive spouse he’d promised to be back in their law school days

Their marriage can be characterized as complex and resilient, having weathered significant challenges over their long relationship.

Clinton's relationships extended beyond his family, with influential friendships and political alliances, including working with notable figures like Steven Spielberg during the George McGovern presidential campaign in 1972.

MONEY AND FAME Clinton’s post-presidential years have been marked by global speaking engagements, book deals, and the establishment of the Clinton Foundation. His fame also made him a controversial figure during and after his presidency.

FOOD AND DRINK Clinton was known for his love of junk food, especially as president, but he also had a fondness for spicy Indian dishes. The White House kitchen regularly prepared Indian food for him and Hillary. His go-to dish at local restaurants was chicken tandoori.

MUSIC AND ARTS Clinton is a talented saxophonist and even considered becoming a jazz musician. He appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1992, playing "Heartbreak Hotel" and "God Bless the Child." 

He also collects saxophones.  

Clinton's 1992 campaign theme song was Fleetwood Mac’s "Don’t Stop." Clinton’s love for music—and his place in pop culture as a music-loving president—has endured long after his time in office.

He is also a fan of cinema, with High Noon being his favorite film.

LITERATURE Reading was one of Clinton's favorite hobbies from a young age. He particularly enjoyed books like The Last of the Mohicans, The Robe, and Black Beauty.

Clinton’s own memoir, My Life (2004), was a major media event, sparking interviews and public appearances as he went on a book tour. The book was a bestseller, providing Clinton with an opportunity to reflect on his political career, personal challenges, and presidency. He followed up with another book, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World (2007), focused on his philanthropic work.

He also co-wrote a political thriller, The President is Missing (2018), with author James Patterson, which was adapted into a TV series.

NATURE Clinton has a deep understanding of agricultural issues, particularly poultry farming, thanks to his background in Arkansas.

PETS During his presidency, Clinton had two famous pets: Socks the cat and Buddy the dog. Socks was a stray that Chelsea adopted, and Buddy, a chocolate Labrador, joined the family later.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Clinton enjoys playing the saxophone and is an avid coin collector. 

Clinton is known for his love of crossword puzzles. He even appeared in a 2006 documentary to express his passion for them.

Clinton is an avid basketball fan, often attending games of all kinds. He has watched NBA Finals games with notable figures like Mark Cuban. Clinton attended the 2014 NCAA Championship game alongside George W. Bush.

Clinton has played a lot of golf over the years. He once mentioned that playing two rounds with Jack Nicklaus was the most star-struck he's ever been.

During his time as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, Clinton was on University College's second rugby team, playing in the second row position. He managed to score at least one try during his brief rugby career.

SCIENCE AND MATHS  Clinton's policies supported technological advances, including expanding access to the internet during his presidency.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY At the age of 10, Bill Clinton was baptized at Park Place Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

Clinton, who professed being "born again" in his youth, often spoke about the significance of his faith. He believed in an all-powerful God who created the universe, guided human history, assisted individuals, and would ultimately judge everyone. Clinton emphasized God's love, righteousness, protection, and providence, holding the Baptist belief that salvation is a personal relationship with God, without intermediaries.

As president, Clinton regularly attended church, often at Foundry Methodist Church with Hillary. He also worshiped at Camp David’s Evergreen Chapel, where he sometimes sang in the choir. Known for his extensive knowledge of the Bible, he frequently quoted scripture and claimed to read it regularly.

Clinton's Christian convictions were evident from his first day in office, as he participated in a worship service on his inauguration day. His faith influenced his policies, especially on racial reconciliation and peacemaking efforts. He saw the church as a community for imperfect people and appreciated its role in social outreach.

Many religious leaders who met Clinton vouched for the sincerity of his faith, but his personal scandals, including extramarital affairs and dishonesty, led others to question the authenticity of his religious profession.

Clinton signed two significant federal laws related to religious liberty: the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). He called religious freedom "the first freedom" and highlighted its importance in American history and constitutional law.

Clinton’s declaration of June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month" and his pro-choice stance have created tensions with the Southern Baptist community.

POLITICS Clinton was first elected governor of Arkansas in 1978, then lost the office in 1980, only to return triumphantly in 1982 like some kind of political boomerang.

During his time as governor, he became known for revamping the state's education system and also chaired the National Governors Association, which, let's be honest, is not a club most of us have heard of. Then, in 1992, he did the unthinkable: he became the first Baby Boomer to win the presidency, defeating incumbent President George H. W. Bush and the ever-interesting independent Ross Perot.

As president, Clinton achieved economic growth and worked toward balancing the federal budget. He was re-elected in 1996, making him the first Democrat to serve two terms since Franklin Roosevelt.

SCANDAL On March 29, 1992, Clinton admitted to experimenting with marijuana during his time at Oxford University, saying he tried it "a time or two" but added, "I didn't inhale and I didn't try it again."

Bill Clinton became the first sitting U.S. president to face a lawsuit when Paula Jones filed a case against him, alleging that he had sexually harassed her in 1991.

Clinton’s second presidential term was less about policy and more about scandal—specifically, his affair with a White House intern named Monica Lewinsky. This little escapade, as it turns out, led to his impeachment, making him the first U.S. president since Andrew Johnson to earn that dubious honor. The charges? Perjury and obstruction of justice. He was ultimately acquitted by the Senate, but it’s safe to say this wasn’t his finest hour.

PRESIDENCY Clinton's presidency was a curious blend of political centrism wrapped in a folksy Southern charm. His "Third Way" philosophy—something that sounds more like a new workout routine than a governing style—was essentially an effort to blend progressive ideals with fiscal conservatism. He ushered in an era of unprecedented economic growth, helped pass the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and signed the Violent Crime Control Act into law. But not everything went smoothly; his attempt at national health care reform went down in flames like a paper plane in a hurricane.

Domestically, Clinton started his presidency as a fairly progressive fellow but soon drifted rightwards, advocating for welfare reform and deregulation. Internationally, he dabbled in everything from expanding NATO to intervening in Bosnia and Kosovo, and the Irish Troubles.  On November 30, 1995, during a visit to Northern Ireland, Clinton addressed a massive rally at Belfast City Hall, voicing strong support for the "Northern Ireland peace process." In his speech, he condemned terrorists as "yesterday's men." He even tried to nudge the Middle East peace process forward, albeit with mixed results.

Despite the scandals, the impeachment, and the endless late-night jokes—Clinton left office in 2001 with soaring approval ratings. His presidency is often ranked somewhere in the middle or upper tier of U.S. presidents, depending on who you ask and whether they've just read a history book or a tabloid. 

MILITARY RECORD Clinton did not fight in the Vietnam War. In August 1969, he received a draft deferment by agreeing to join the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program at the University of Arkansas Law School. This allowed him to avoid being drafted and return to Oxford to complete his master's degree.

Clinton was strongly opposed to the Vietnam War. He worked against the war, participated in anti-war protests, and even helped organize demonstrations while in England.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Clinton has faced several health challenges, including a torn knee tendon that required surgery and a quadruple heart bypass surgery in 2004. He later underwent surgery for a collapsed lung in 2005.

HOMES Clinton's current primary residence is a Dutch Colonial style house built in 1889 in Chappaqua, New York purchased in 1999 for $1.7 million.

He also owns a Georgian-style townhouse on Embassy Row, Washington D.C., purchased in 2000 for $2.85 million. It is used primarily by Hillary Clinton

His previous residences were:

A small one-bedroom house in Fayetteville, Arkansas (where they married in 1975, now a museum)

A home in Little Rock, Arkansas (1976-1978 while Bill was Attorney General)

Arkansas Governor's Mansion (during Bill's time as governor)

The White House (1993-2001)

TRAVEL Clinton’s role as a statesman took him across the world, both during and after his presidency. He remains an active global figure through his foundation’s work.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Bill Clinton has made a wide array of appearances in the media, from traditional interviews to more unconventional and pop culture moments. His charisma, humor, and sometimes controversial personal life have made him a fixture in the public eye both during and after his presidency. Here are some highlights of his media appearances:

1. Talk Shows and Late Night TV

One of Clinton’s most memorable media appearances came in 1992, when he played the saxophone on The Arsenio Hall Show. Wearing sunglasses, he performed "Heartbreak Hotel," instantly earning cool points with younger voters and setting a new precedent for how presidential candidates engage with popular culture. This appearance helped cement his image as a relatable and fun candidate during his first campaign for president.

Throughout his presidency and afterward, Clinton appeared on numerous late-night shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He used these platforms not only to talk about policy but also to showcase his humor and down-to-earth personality.

2. Documentaries and Interviews

Bill Clinton has been the subject of several documentaries, most notably The Clinton Affair (2018), which delves into the Monica Lewinsky scandal and his impeachment. Other documentaries like The War Room (1993), directed by D.A. Pennebaker, focus on his 1992 campaign, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the strategies that brought him to victory.

Clinton has also given many high-profile interviews, including with Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey, discussing everything from his presidency to his personal life and the controversies that defined much of his time in office.

3. Cameos in Movies and TV 

Bill Clinton has made cameos in several films and TV shows, often playing himself. He made a brief appearance in the movie Primary Colors (1998), which is a thinly veiled fictionalization of his first presidential campaign. Clinton has also been referenced in countless TV shows, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park, where his larger-than-life persona became fodder for humor and satire.

4.. Public Speaking and TV Specials

Clinton has often appeared in televised specials, including those related to humanitarian causes or events like the funeral of Nelson Mandela or tributes to other leaders. His oratory skills have kept him in demand for public speaking gigs, which are frequently covered by the media.

ACHIEVEMENTS Bill Clinton’s achievements include overseeing a strong U.S. economy, signing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and establishing the Clinton Foundation. He was the first Democrat re-elected to a second term since FDR, and his presidency left a lasting mark on both domestic and international policy.

Sources Yahoo! IMDB, Food for Thought by Ed Pearce