Bill Clinton (b.1946)
42nd President of the United States (1993-2001)
He was preceded in the Presidency by George H.W. Bush who he defeated in the 1992 Presidential election. Choosing Al Gore as his Vice-President, he served two terms in office for the Democrats before being succeeded by George W. Bush. He was born "William Jefferson Blythe" in Hope, Arkansas. His biological father died three months before he was born and in high school he took his stepfather's surname. From an early age, he demonstrated exceptional charisma coupled with political ambition. He won a scholarship to study at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Washington D.C. and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford before graduating from Yale Law School.
He began his political career in Arkansas, serving as Attorney General (1977-79) before becoming the nation's youngest Governor in 1979 at the age of 32. After losing re-election in 1980, he successfully returned to the Governor's mansion in 1983, serving until 1992.
His pragmatic, centrist approach and ability to connect with ordinary Americans earned him national attention. In 1992, he defeated incumbent George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot to win the U.S. presidency. His two terms were marked by significant economic prosperity, including budget surpluses and low unemployment. Key achievements included welfare reform, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and initiatives in healthcare and education. His foreign policy addressed the expansion of NATO in Eastern Europe, the conflict in Bosnia and Haiti, and the Middle East peace process. However, his achievements were overshadowed by personal scandals, most notably his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, when he famously stated: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." The scandal led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice, though he was acquitted by the Senate.
He began his political career in Arkansas, serving as Attorney General (1977-79) before becoming the nation's youngest Governor in 1979 at the age of 32. After losing re-election in 1980, he successfully returned to the Governor's mansion in 1983, serving until 1992.
His pragmatic, centrist approach and ability to connect with ordinary Americans earned him national attention. In 1992, he defeated incumbent George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot to win the U.S. presidency. His two terms were marked by significant economic prosperity, including budget surpluses and low unemployment. Key achievements included welfare reform, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and initiatives in healthcare and education. His foreign policy addressed the expansion of NATO in Eastern Europe, the conflict in Bosnia and Haiti, and the Middle East peace process. However, his achievements were overshadowed by personal scandals, most notably his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, when he famously stated: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." The scandal led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice, though he was acquitted by the Senate.
Post-presidency, Clinton remained highly active through the Clinton Foundation, focusing on global health, climate change, and economic development. He became a sought-after speaker and author, while supporting his wife Hillary's political career, including her presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2016. Despite controversies, Clinton is often remembered for his political skills, economic stewardship, and continued humanitarian work, maintaining significant influence in Democratic politics and international affairs. He first met his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, in the Yale Law Library while they were both studying there in 1971 and they were married in 1975. Despite the obvious difficulties encountered in their marriage, they remain together and are the parents of one daughter.
