Bill Clinton’s Life, Career & Marriage to Hillary
Bill Clinton rose to global fame when he became U.S. President in 1993. A talented politician from Arkansas, his presidency was marked by success but also overshadowed by the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Despite the affair, Bill has remained married to Hillary Clinton for nearly five decades.
The Clintons met while studying law at Yale. Hillary was hesitant to marry Bill at first—turning him down twice—but eventually said yes, and they wed in 1975. Hillary once said she feared losing her identity in the wake of Bill’s powerful personality.
Bill, born in 1946 in Hope, Arkansas, lost his father before birth and had a troubled childhood with an abusive stepfather. Still, he excelled in school and music, and a life-changing handshake with President John F. Kennedy inspired him to pursue politics. After graduating from Georgetown and earning a Rhodes Scholarship, he studied law at Yale, where he met Hillary.
Together, they built impressive political careers. Bill became Governor of Arkansas in 1978 and U.S. President in 1993. Hillary served as a U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, and 2016 presidential candidate.
The Lewinsky affair became public in 1998, causing national scandal and personal turmoil. Hillary, though devastated, chose to stay in the marriage, calling it one of her life’s hardest decisions.
Now grandparents, the Clintons celebrated their 49th anniversary in 2024. Bill marked the occasion online, writing: “Happy Anniversary, Hillary. It’s been an amazing 49 years. Here’s to many more!”