Bill Clinton
| Bill Clinton | |
|---|---|
| |
| Order | 42nd President of the United States |
| In office | January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001 |
| Vice President | Al Gore |
| Preceded by | George H. W. Bush |
| Succeeded by | George W. Bush |
| Born | August 19, 1946 (79 years old) Hope, Arkansas, United States |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Hillary Clinton (m. 1975) |
| Children | Chelsea Clinton |
| Profession | Lawyer, professor, politician |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University University of Oxford Yale Law School |
| Signature | File:Bill Clinton signature.svg |
William Jefferson Clinton (born August 19, 1946) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Clinton was the first president born after World War II and is considered a key figure in the centrist “New Democrat” movement.
Early Life and Education
- Born in Hope, Arkansas, raised by a single mother after the death of his biological father
- Attended Georgetown University for his undergraduate degree
- Became a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford
- Earned his law degree from Yale Law School, where he met Hillary Clinton
Political Rise
- Elected Attorney General of Arkansas in 1976
- Served as Governor of Arkansas for 12 years (non-consecutively)
- Known for modernizing the state’s education system and economic growth
Presidency (1993–2001)
- Defeated incumbent George H. W. Bush in the 1992 election
- Re-elected in 1996, defeating Republican Bob Dole
- Oversaw strong economic growth, job creation, and budget surpluses
- Signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Welfare Reform Act
- Advocated for gun control, environmental protections, and education funding
Foreign Policy
- Led NATO intervention in the Bosnian War and Kosovo
- Played a key role in the Oslo Accords between Israel and Palestine
- Attempted but failed to negotiate a final Middle East peace agreement at Camp David in 2000
Impeachment
- Impeached in 1998 by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal
- Acquitted by the Senate in 1999 and completed his term with high public approval ratings
Post-Presidency
- Remains active in global humanitarian work through the Clinton Foundation
- Continues to campaign for Democratic candidates and causes
- Wife Hillary Clinton later became Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee
Personal Life
- Married to Hillary Clinton since 1975; they have one daughter, Chelsea Clinton
- Known for charisma, intelligence, and political talent, but also personal controversies
Legacy
- Widely credited for strong economic stewardship and centrist governance
- Criticized for the impeachment scandal and financial deregulation
- Seen as one of the most skilled political communicators in U.S. history