Bill Clinton rose to international fame when he was inaugurated as U.S. President in 1993. The Arkansas native enjoyed a lengthy and impactful political career, though his presidency was significantly overshadowed by the infamous affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, a scandal that became one of the defining moments of his time in office.
Despite the controversy, Bill and Hillary Clinton have remained married for an impressive 47 years. The couple first met during their college years and have stayed by each other’s sides through countless challenges and public scrutiny.
Interestingly, Hillary wasn’t immediately sure about tying the knot. It took Bill three proposals before she finally agreed to marry him.
Here’s a closer look at the enduring marriage of Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Bill Clinton, originally named William Jefferson Blythe III, was born on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas. His mother, Virginia Kelley, faced profound tragedy when Bill’s father died in a car accident just three months before his birth.
A Challenging Early Life
At the age of four, Bill’s mother remarried Roger Clinton, but the new household came with significant challenges. Roger was reportedly an abusive man with a severe drinking problem, often taking out his anger on Virginia.
“This sounds crazy, but I never hated my stepfather, Roger Clinton,” Bill later reflected. “Even after he pulled the trigger in here, when he was drunk, even after he beat my mother — even after I got big enough to stop him from beating my mother. I hated what he did, but I never hated him. I understood he was a good man who couldn’t conquer his drinking problem, full of demons he couldn’t control.”
Despite enduring this trauma, Bill kept his home life a secret from friends and peers. In his autobiography, he described living “two parallel lives” — one outwardly normal and one shadowed by domestic struggles, a duality that persisted into his adulthood and political career.
Changing His Name
Though Roger’s actions cast a dark shadow over his childhood, Bill chose to take his stepfather’s last name while in high school, officially becoming Bill Clinton. He retained the first and middle names of his biological father, William Jefferson, but adopted the surname of the man who had shaped much of his early years, for better or worse.
Bill Clinton has often reflected on how growing up without a father influenced his life. “I think the fact that I was born without a father, and that I spent a lifetime trying to piece together an image of one, played a big role in shaping who I am,” he admitted. “It brought both good and bad, but overall, I’d say it did more good.”
Meeting John F. Kennedy
Clinton excelled as a student, impressing his teachers with his intelligence and drive. Alongside his academic achievements, he was also a talented saxophone player, with many believing he was destined for a career in music. However, destiny had other plans.
A pivotal moment came during high school when Clinton, as a delegate to Boys Nation, visited the White House Rose Garden. There, he met President John F. Kennedy in a moment that would shape his aspirations. The iconic photograph of a young Bill Clinton shaking hands with JFK has since become legendary.
Recalling the encounter, Clinton said, “I was about the third or fourth person in, and…I sort of muscled my way up to the front.” The experience left a lasting impression. On the way home, Clinton reportedly couldn’t stop talking about the encounter.
Future Minnesota Congressman Jim Ramstad remembered Clinton confidently declaring: “Someday, I’m going to have that job.”
Academic Achievements
Clinton’s ambition carried him far. He attended Georgetown University and, in 1968, earned a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University. Later, he completed his law degree at Yale University, setting the stage for his extraordinary political career.
Bill Clinton’s time at Yale not only set the stage for his future political career but also brought him the love of his life: Hillary Rodham.
Bill and Hillary’s Love Story
Both Bill and Hillary were studying law at Yale when they crossed paths. Speaking at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Bill shared his first impressions of Hillary.
“In the spring of 1971, I met a girl,” he said. “We were, fittingly, in a class on political and civil rights. She had thick blonde hair, big glasses, no makeup, and an aura of strength and confidence that I found magnetic.”
Although they had seen each other around campus, one moment in 1971 changed everything. They were studying in different parts of the law library when Hillary noticed Bill glancing her way. Deciding to take the initiative, she put her book down and approached him.
“Look, if you’re going to keep staring at me, and now I’m staring back, we should at least know each other’s names. I’m Hillary Rodham, who are you?” Bill recalled her saying.
Caught off guard, the future president managed to introduce himself, and from that point on, their connection deepened. Bill, captivated by Hillary’s magnetic personality, soon asked her out on a date.
“She had this incredible sense of strength and self-possession that was irresistible,” Bill said, reflecting on the early days of their relationship.
“I simply asked her to take a walk to the art museum,” Bill recalled. “We’ve been walking, talking, and laughing together ever since.”
Why Hillary Clinton Rejected Bill’s Proposals Twice
Bill and Hillary shared a passion for politics that quickly became a cornerstone of their relationship. They began dating and worked together on George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign. Although McGovern lost, the couple discovered how well they collaborated—a dynamic Bill wanted to make permanent.
In 1973, while in England, Bill proposed to Hillary for the first time. However, she turned him down, saying she needed more time. Despite her response, Hillary was deeply in love with him.
“Bill was in a different universe. It was a different level of connection,” she said in a Hulu documentary. “I felt like he was the most interesting man I had ever met, and ever would meet.”
In a 2016 interview with Lena Dunham, Hillary revealed the reasons behind her hesitation. She admitted feeling “terrified” of losing her identity in the shadow of Bill’s larger-than-life personality. Moreover, she wasn’t sure she was ready to commit to a life in the public eye, knowing Bill aspired to a career in politics.
A year after his first proposal, Bill Clinton asked Hillary to marry him again. Once more, she declined.
“I Married My Best Friend”
“He said, ‘Well, I’m not asking you again until you’re ready to say yes,’” Hillary later recalled. “That was a big part of my ambivalence—the worry that I wouldn’t know who I was or what I could do if I married someone with such a clear vision for his path.”
Bill respected her need for time, and when he asked for a third time, Hillary finally said yes. In 1975, the couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony held in the living room of their Arkansas home, surrounded by close family and friends.
Reflecting on that day, Bill said, “I married my best friend. After more than four years of being around her, I was still in awe of how smart, strong, loving, and caring she was.”
Hillary added, “It was a big leap of faith, and I think most marriages are.”
The couple welcomed their daughter, Chelsea Clinton, in 1980, marking the start of their family life.
A Journey to the White House
Both Bill and Hillary pursued ambitious political and professional careers. In 1978, Bill became Governor of Arkansas, and by 1993, he was sworn in as President of the United States. Meanwhile, Hillary emerged as one of the most accomplished and influential lawyers in the country, proving to be an integral partner in their journey to the top.
Bill Clinton’s Presidency and the Monica Lewinsky Scandal
While Bill Clinton’s eight years in the White House were marked by significant achievements, they were undeniably overshadowed by the scandal involving Monica Lewinsky.
Monica Lewinsky Scandal
In 1995, 22-year-old Monica Lewinsky began working at the White House. Shortly after, she and President Clinton began a flirtation that escalated into a two-year affair. According to Lewinsky, their interactions began when she confessed, “I have a crush on you,” and Clinton responded, “Well, do you want to come into the back office?”
The affair remained a secret until 1998, when the scandal erupted into public view. Lewinsky’s phone calls had been secretly recorded, capturing details of her relationship with the President. Eventually, she was called to testify before a grand jury. The subsequent report, spanning more than 3,000 pages, laid bare the intimate details of their encounters.
In a public address, President Clinton vehemently denied the allegations, famously stating, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” Meanwhile, Lewinsky endured intense public scrutiny and humiliation, later reflecting on the ordeal.
In a TED Talk, she recalled the pain of the exposure: “That people could read the transcripts was horrific enough. But a few weeks later, the audio tapes [of her private calls] were aired on TV, and significant portions made available online. The public humiliation was excruciating. Life was almost unbearable.”
For Lewinsky, the scandal left a lasting scar, as she expressed a desire to reclaim her anonymity and move past the events that defined her in the public eye.
A Marriage Tested but Enduring
The Monica Lewinsky scandal had the potential to shatter Bill and Hillary Clinton’s marriage. However, Hillary chose to stay, a decision she later described as one of “the most difficult decisions I have made in my life” in her 2003 memoir.
“I Couldn’t Imagine How He Could Do That to Me”
In a candid 2003 interview with Barbara Walters, Hillary opened up about the emotional toll of her husband’s betrayal. “I was furious, I was dumbfounded, I was… just beside myself with anger and disappointment,” she admitted. “I couldn’t imagine how he could have done that to me or to anyone else.”
A New Chapter After the White House
After leaving the White House in 2001, the Clintons moved to Chappaqua, New York. Bill focused on humanitarian and public policy initiatives, while Hillary embarked on her own political journey.
She ran for the U.S. Senate, representing New York from 2001 to 2009, and later returned to the White House as Secretary of State under President Barack Obama. In 2016, Hillary made history by running for president, though she ultimately lost to Donald Trump.
Finding Joy in Family
Despite the political challenges and personal struggles, Bill and Hillary found joy in family life. They became grandparents for the first time in 2014, welcomed a second grandchild in 2016, and celebrated the arrival of a third in 2019. Their growing family became a source of happiness and a new chapter in their storied lives.
Earlier this year, Hillary and Bill were seen spending some quality time with their three children as they went on a ride on the merry-go-round.
Bill Clinton & Hillary Clinton today
Despite some very difficult times, Hillary and Bill Clinton’s love is still going strong. In 2022, the couple celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Bill Clinton took to Twitter to show his love for his wife.
“October 11th was a beautiful day 45 years ago. Still is. The bride was beautiful too. And still is,” Bill Clinton tweeted, alongside a photo of the couple.
“Happy Anniversary, Hillary. I love you.”
“Forty-five years. Never a dull moment, and you’re still my best friend,” Hillary wrote on Instagram. “Love you, Bill.”
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