Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton, widely recognized for her influential role in American politics, has not only made history as a former First Lady, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State but also built a substantial fortune over the years. Her wealth stems from multiple sources, including book deals, public speaking engagements, and her involvement in the Clinton Foundation. Clinton’s memoirs, such as Living History and What Happened, have been bestsellers, earning her significant advances and royalties. 

As one of the most sought-after speakers, Clinton commands substantial fees for her appearances at events and conferences worldwide. Additionally, her post-political career includes teaching and consulting roles that contribute to her financial portfolio. Let’s explore how Hillary Clinton has built her wealth and maintained her legacy in both politics and beyond.

What Is Hillary Clinton’s Net Worth?

As of January 2025, Hillary Clinton’s net worth is estimated to be $120 million as per Celebrity Net Worth.

Hillary Clinton shares her net worth with her husband, Bill Clinton, who served as the 42nd President of the United States. Her net worth of south of $100 million surpasses that of Joe Biden and Barack Obama, however isn't even close to making it to the richest American politicians. Politics hasn't been the only source of the family's Clintons bank balance. Their wealth comes from various avenues, including public service salaries, book deals, speaking engagements, and investments. 

In 1978, Bill Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas and served for 12 years across two non-consecutive terms. Early in Bill's first term, she reportedly increased their income by trading cattle futures contracts, turning a $1,000 investment into nearly $100,000 within a year. The Clinton family's finances grew in 1979 when Hillary became a full partner at Rose Law Firm. At that time, she earned more than Bill, who made $35,000 a year as Arkansas governor, while her base salary at the Little Rock law firm was $110,000. Additionally, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, she earned about $60,000 annually from corporate board fees, bringing her total income to around $180,000 per year before they moved into the White House.

When Bill Clinton became president in January 1993, Hillary took on the role of first lady. During the early years of his presidency, Hillary's income stopped, while Bill earned a $200,000 yearly presidential salary. In 1996, Hillary released her book It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us, which focused on her vision for helping American children. By 2000, the book had sold 450,000 hardcover copies and 200,000 paperbacks. Their income rose to $1 million in 1996, boosted by royalties from It Takes a Village. Over time, Hillary earned tens of millions more from royalties and advances for her other bestsellers, including Living History (2003), Hard Choices (2014), and What Happened (2017). 

Since leaving the White House in 2001, Bill and Hillary Clinton have transformed their political fame into a personal fortune, earning over $240 million, according to a Forbes analysis of 15 years of their tax returns. Their annual income started with modest earnings in the early 1990s, ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 between 1991 and 1995, primarily from salaries. In 1996, there was a sharp increase to over $1 million, largely due to royalties from Hillary’s book It Takes a Village. Their earnings then fluctuated, with a steady decline to $416,000 by 2000. However, after leaving the White House, their income skyrocketed, reaching $16 million in 2001, thanks to book deals and speaking engagements. 

Earnings stayed high, with occasional dips, peaking at $28 million in 2014. From 2007 to 2014, the Clintons made nearly $141 million. They paid around $56 million in taxes and gave about $15 million to charity. By 2015, Bill and Hillary Clinton's total income reached $241 million. Hillary's net worth in 2015 was estimated at over $30 million, or between $45 million and $53 million when combined with her husband's wealth, according to Wikipedia.

After leaving the White House, the Clintons were technically in debt due to Bill's legal expenses. However, Bill made most of their income, earning $189 million from book deals, speeches, consulting for private companies, and advising billionaire Ron Burkle. His first paid speech in 2001 earned him $125,000, and over the next 15 years, he made around $106 million from hundreds of paid speeches as reported by Forbes. He also earned an estimated $38 million from his bestselling memoir My Life and three other books. 

In 2001, Bill Clinton received a $15 million advance for his book according to Celebrity Net Worth, the largest ever for a book. Later, Hillary Clinton earned a $14 million advance for her own book. In 2003, Hillary Clinton released her highly anticipated memoir, Living History, which became a bestseller. She had received an $8 million advance for the book as per Britannica.

Additionally, Bill Clinton earned millions advising private companies, including $15 million from Ron Burkle’s firm and $24 million from education companies like Laureate Education and GMS Education as per Forbes. 

From 2009 to 2013, Hillary earned $186,000 annually as Secretary of State, making her the fourth highest-paid U.S. government official, after the President, Vice President, and Secretary of Treasury. After leaving the State Department, Hillary Clinton stepped back into private life for the first time in 30 years. 

In 2013, she and her daughter joined the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation. During this time, she worked on another memoir and earned $200,000-$225,000 per speaking engagement, mostly at Wall Street firms and business conventions. In total, Clintons have earned over $25 million from speeches between 2014 and March 2015 as per The Washington Post.

In August 2016, the Clintons released their 2015 tax return, showing $10.75 million in income and over $3.62 million in federal taxes paid at a 34.2% rate, according to Time. This move aimed to pressure Donald Trump to release his own tax returns.

What is Hillary Clinton’s Claim to Fame?

Hillary Clinton's journey to fame has been shaped by her political career and her role in public life even after leaving office. Here is a list of key moments that have defined her journey and built her legacy.

• Early Career: Hillary started her legal career in 1973 as a staff attorney for the Children’s Defense Fund, where she gained attention for her work advocating for children's rights. In 1974, she served as a member of the impeachment inquiry staff during the Watergate scandal, contributing to the legal case against President Richard Nixon. In February 1977, she joined the Rose Law Firm, focusing on patent and intellectual property law while also working pro bono on child advocacy. That same year, she co-founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, partnering with the Children's Defense Fund to support children's issues in the state.
• Arkansas First Lady: In 1979, after Bill Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas, Hillary became the state's first lady. She held this role for twelve nonconsecutive years (1979-1981, 1983-1992). As first lady, she focused on education reform, chairing the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee and introducing initiatives to improve the public school system. In 1979, she also made history as the first female partner at the renowned Rose Law Firm.
• 60 Minutes Interview: In January 1992, Hillary gained widespread attention after appearing on 60 Minutes with Bill. During the interview, they addressed allegations of Bill's 12-year affair with Gennifer Flowers. Hillary stood by her husband, urging voters to judge him based on his record, and added, "If you don’t like what you see, then, heck, don’t vote for him." Bill denied the affair but admitted to causing pain in their marriage.
• First Lady of the United States: In January 1993, when Bill Clinton became president, Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first lady. She was also the first to have an office in the West Wing, in addition to the usual office in the East Wing. From 1993 to 2001, as First Lady, she led the 1993 National Health Care Reform Task Force, which aimed to provide universal health coverage but faced strong opposition and failed. Her 1995 speech at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where she declared, "Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights," cemented her role as a global advocate for gender equality.
• Whitewater Scandal: The Whitewater controversy involved real estate investments made by the Clintons and their associates in the 1970s. In 1996, Hillary became the first spouse of a U.S. president to be subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury. After several investigations, a report in 2000 found no evidence that either Clinton had committed any crime.
• Travelgate Scandal: Another scandal involving Clinton was the Travelgate scandal, involving the White House travel office. There was also the cattle futures controversy, linked to Hillary's trading in 1978 and 1979. Some critics suggested it was a conflict of interest or bribery, but after reviewing her trading records, no formal investigation was conducted, and she was never charged with any wrongdoing.
• It Takes a Village: In 1996, Clinton released It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us, which became a bestseller, staying on the New York Times Best Seller List for 18 weeks, including three weeks at number one. By 2000, the book had sold 450,000 hardcover copies and 200,000 paperback copies. In 1997, she won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for the audio version of the book.
• Senator from New York: Hillary Clinton served as a Senator from New York from 2001 to 2009. During her time in office, she continued to fight for health care reform and children's issues. She was part of several committees, including the Committee for Armed Services. After the September 11 attacks, she supported the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan but later criticized President George W. Bush’s handling of the Iraq War. She was re-elected to the Senate in 2006 with ease.
• 2008 Presidential Campaign: In 2008, Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman to be a front-runner in a major political party's presidential primary. Running as a Democrat, she focused on healthcare, economic reform, and foreign policy. Despite winning 1,640 pledged delegates, she lost the nomination to Barack Obama, who went on to win the presidency. Clinton’s campaign showcased her ability to mobilize women voters and highlighted her resilience in a competitive primary battle.
• Email Controversy: In 2015, it was discovered that Hillary Clinton had used a private email server while serving as Secretary of State, which raised concerns about national security and record-keeping. The FBI investigated and found that while she was "extremely careless," no charges were filed. The email issue received extensive media attention during the 2016 presidential election. In September 2019, the State Department completed its review, concluding that while her use of a personal server posed a risk of information being compromised, there was no evidence of intentional mishandling of classified information.
• 2016 Presidential Campaign: In 2016, Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party. Her campaign focused on inclusivity, economic opportunity, and healthcare reform. However, she was defeated by Donald Trump in the November 8, 2016, election. By the early hours of November 9, Trump had secured 279 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win, and was declared the winner by media outlets.

What Businesses does Hillary Clinton Own or is a Part of?

The Former First Lady has been associated with various businesses and organizations throughout her career, mainly through board memberships and professional affiliations. Let’s take a look at them:

• Wal-Mart Stores: From 1986 to 1992, Hillary served as the first female member of Wal-Mart's board of directors. She supported eco-friendly practices and pushed for more diversity in management. However, she did not openly oppose the company's anti-union policies, which later affected her reputation with labor unions. This was seen as a factor in her loss of support from some union members during the 2016 election, where nearly half voted for Donald Trump.
• TCBY: From 1985 to 1992, Hillary Clinton served on the board of directors for TCBY (The Country’s Best Yogurt), a rapidly growing frozen yogurt company in the health-conscious dessert market. During this time, she was also a partner at the Rose Law Firm, one of Arkansas's oldest and most respected firms. TCBY was a client of the firm, reflecting her close ties to key Arkansas businesses.
• Lafarge: From 1990 to 1992, Hillary Clinton was the first woman to serve on the board of Lafarge, a global cement company based in France. As a board member, Clinton was involved in discussions about corporate strategy, environmental practices, and labor relations. Her role was significant as she broke gender barriers in a male-dominated industry.
• Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families: Hillary co-founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) in 1977. This non-profit advocacy organization focuses on promoting public policies in Arkansas that benefit children and their families. As a non-partisan 501(c)(3) group, AACF has received support from diverse individuals and organizations and continues to work towards improving the well-being of children across the state.

What Brands Does Hillary Clinton Endorse?

Hillary Clinton hasn't done traditional brand endorsements. However, during her 2016 presidential campaign, she received support from several companies and organizations. Some of the notable ones include Cards Against Humanity, Nasty Gal, Supreme, Union Square Ventures, and the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce.

How does Hillary Clinton spend her millions?

Throughout her career, Hillary Clinton has been known for not spending much of her wealth on lavish purchases, focusing instead on properties and philanthropic efforts. Here is a list of the assets she currently owns.

Hillary Clinton’s Real Estate Portfolio 

Over the years, the Former Senator has owned a few notable properties in the United States. Here is a look at them:

• Chappaqua Home: In 1999, Bill and Hillary Clinton bought a Dutch Colonial-style house in Chappaqua, New York, for $1.7 million, which serves as their primary residence. The purchase was made as Hillary prepared for her New York Senate campaign, which required her to live in the state. The home sits on 1.1 acres and features five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a swimming pool. It offers plenty of space for their personal needs and for hosting gatherings.
• Adjacent Property to Chappaqua Home: In 2016, the Clintons bought the property next to their Chappaqua home for $1.16 million. This new property gives them extra space for their family, including room for their daughter Chelsea and her family when they visit.
• Whitehaven Residence: In December 2000, the Clintons bought this Georgian-style mansion for $2.85 million as they moved on from the White House. The home served as a base for Hillary's Senate work. The 5,500-square-foot property features seven bedrooms and five bathrooms. It is located near Embassy Row, making it close to political and diplomatic events. The property had an assessed value of $5.3 million in 2016.
• Clinton House: The Clinton House in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was the first home shared by Bill and Hillary Clinton. Bill bought it on August 11, 1975, for $17,200 while both were teaching at the University of Arkansas School of Law. They lived there during the early years of their marriage and got married in the living room on October 11, 1975. After Bill became Arkansas Attorney General in 1977, they rented the house to law students until selling it in 1983. Today, it is the Clinton House Museum, showcasing their early life in Fayetteville. It displays election memorabilia from before Bill became president, 1970s-style rooms, and a replica of Hillary's wedding dress.

Vehicles Owned By Hillary Clinton Over The Years

Hillary Clinton does not own many vehicles, and she last drove in 1996. She stopped driving after getting Secret Service protection, which is common for people in high-profile roles. Among the vehicles associated with her, only one car has specific details publicly available, as listed below. Having said that, we have covered the car collection of Bill Clinton separately.

• 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera: The Democratic Politician once owned a blue 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, which was the last car she personally owned. In 2000, as the Clintons prepared to leave the White House, the car was sold for $2,000 to Mike Lawn, the former White House head gardener as per UPI. Lawn, who worked at the White House for nearly 30 years, bought the car intending to give it to his daughter when she turned 16, but she refused to drive it. The car remained in Lawn’s garage in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for years, with the title still showing Hillary’s name, as he never re-registered it. In 2016, with Hillary running as the Democratic front-runner in the presidential race, Lawn decided to sell the car. He ultimately sold it for over $60,000 as per UPI, turning a significant profit.

Although Hillary Clinton does not own the "Scooby" van, it played an important role in her 2015 and 2016 presidential campaigns. The customized Chevrolet Express, nicknamed "Scooby," was inspired by the Scooby-Doo cartoon’s Mystery Machine. Clinton chose the name herself, and the van was designed to help her connect with everyday Americans while managing her public image.

What Are Hillary Clinton’s Charitable Contributions?

The 77-year-old politician has been actively involved in charitable giving and philanthropy throughout her career. Let’s take a look at it:

• The Clinton Foundation: The Clinton Foundation was founded by Bill Clinton to address global challenges. In 2013, Hillary Clinton joined the foundation after serving as Secretary of State, focusing on women, children, and economic development. It was then renamed the "Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation." By 2016, the foundation had raised around $2 billion from various sources. Between 2007 and 2016, the Clintons earned $139 million and donated about $14.9 million to charity, mostly through the Clinton Family Foundation, according to the WSJ. Through the Clinton Family Foundation, the Clintons have donated to various external organizations, including New York Public Radio, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Children’s Defense Fund.

What’s Next For Hillary Clinton?

While Hillary Clinton's future plans are unclear, she will keep focusing on public advocacy and philanthropy especially through the Clinton Foundation. Although no official plans have been made, some people think she may be involved in future elections or take on advisory roles.