Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bill Clinton’s Net Worth?
Bill Clinton, a prominent figure in American politics, boasts a net worth of $120 million. This valuation represents the combined assets he holds with his wife, Hillary Clinton. He served as the 42nd President of the United States, holding office for two terms from 1993 to 2001.
Clinton’s Financial Journey Post-Presidency
Upon their departure from the White House, the Clintons faced a challenging financial landscape. They were reportedly in debt due to Bill Clinton’s substantial legal expenses, including those incurred from sexual harassment settlements. However, the subsequent decade marked a period of significant financial recovery and growth for the Clintons. A substantial portion of their earnings came from Bill Clinton’s speaking engagements, where he reportedly earned over $100 million in fees alone. In 2001, he received a record-breaking $15 million book advance for his autobiography, “My Life,” which became a best-seller. Adjusted for inflation, that $15 million in 2001 would be the equivalent of approximately $21 million today.
To date, Bill and Hillary Clinton have amassed over $250 million in income through various channels, including speaking engagements, book advances and royalties, investment income, and consulting fees. Some estimates place their total earnings as high as $300 million. In recent years, the couple’s annual income has ranged from $10 million to $30 million. As part of her 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton released eight years of income tax returns, offering a glimpse into their financial affairs. In 2014, the couple reported an income of $28 million, with the majority stemming from speaking fees. In 2015, their income totaled $10.6 million, of which $6 million was attributed to speaking engagements. As a former President, Bill Clinton is entitled to an annual pension of $200,000.
Clinton’s Income History
Before entering the White House, Bill Clinton’s annual salary as Attorney General and Governor of Arkansas never exceeded $35,000. During that time, Hillary Clinton was the primary breadwinner, earning approximately $110,000 annually as a partner at a Little Rock law firm. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, she also earned around $60,000 per year from corporate board fees, bringing her total income to approximately $180,000. During the early years of Bill Clinton’s presidency, Hillary Clinton’s income decreased to zero, while his annual presidential salary was approximately $200,000. Their income experienced a significant increase in 1996 due to royalties from the release of Hillary Clinton’s book, “It Takes a Village,” bringing their total income to $1 million.
Between 1991 and 2015, the Clintons’ annual gross income fluctuated considerably. In 1991, their income was $200,000. By 1996, it had risen to $1,065,000 due to Hillary’s book royalties. The year 2001 saw a dramatic increase to $16 million, followed by $9 million in 2002 and $8 million in 2003. In 2004, their income reached $20 million, followed by $18 million in 2005 and $16 million in 2006. In 2007, their income peaked at $21 million, then decreased to $5 million in 2008. From 2009 to 2013, their income ranged from $10 million to $27 million. The highest income was reported in 2014, at $28 million, before dropping to $11 million in 2015. Their total gross income for this period amounted to $241,485,000.
Early Life and Education
William Jefferson Blythe III, later known as Bill Clinton, was born on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas. His father passed away in an automobile accident three months prior to his birth. His mother, Virginia Dell Cassidy, moved to New Orleans to pursue nursing studies, and Bill Clinton was raised in Hope by his maternal grandparents, Eldridge and Edith Cassidy. In 1950, his mother returned and married Roger Clinton Sr. The family relocated to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where Bill Clinton spent his formative years. He adopted his stepfather’s surname and legally changed his name at the age of 15. In 1963, as a Boys Nation Senator, Bill Clinton visited the White House and met President John F. Kennedy. This experience, along with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, inspired him to pursue a career in public service. Bill Clinton attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a degree in Foreign Service. Subsequently, he received a Rhodes Scholarship to study at University College, Oxford. After Oxford, he attended Yale Law School, where he met Hillary Rodham, his future wife.
Political Career
Following his graduation from law school, Bill Clinton returned to Arkansas and taught law at the University of Arkansas. In 1974, he ran for the House of Representatives, narrowly losing to the incumbent Republican. In 1976, he ran unopposed for Arkansas Attorney General and was elected to the position. Two years later, at the age of 31, he became the youngest governor in the country, defeating Republican candidate Lynn Lowe. His focus on education and healthcare reform brought him national attention. In 1992, he won the presidential election, defeating incumbent President George Herbert Walker Bush. He served two terms, from 1993 to 2001. During his presidency, he signed The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the Brady Bill, and he expanded the earned income tax credit. He appointed Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1993 and Stephen Breyer in 1994 to the Supreme Court. He left office with a 66% approval rating, the highest of any President since World War II. Despite these achievements, his presidency was marked by controversy, including his impeachment by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998, on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his affair with Monica Lewinsky. The Senate acquitted him of both charges.
Post-Presidency Activities
After leaving the White House, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton acknowledged that they had a negative net worth due to millions of dollars in legal fees incurred during Bill Clinton’s impeachment defense and sexual assault settlements. To address their financial situation, they embarked on a series of lucrative ventures. Bill Clinton received a $15 million advance for his memoir, setting a record for the largest book advance of all time. Since leaving the White House in 2001, Bill Clinton has been a highly sought-after public speaker, commanding fees ranging from $150,000 to $700,000 per speech, with an average fee of approximately $200,000. Between 2001 and 2013, he earned $106 million in speaking engagement fees alone. In 2012, he earned $17 million from 73 speeches delivered worldwide. Notably, he earned a record $700,000 for a speech in Lagos, Nigeria. When combined with Hillary Clinton’s earnings, the couple generated approximately $280 million in income in the two decades following their departure from the White House.
Beyond his financial endeavors, Bill Clinton has remained active in humanitarian work, primarily through The Clinton Global Initiative, focusing on issues such as HIV/AIDS and global warming. He has also undertaken several diplomatic missions, including serving as the United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti in 2009 and collaborating with former President George W. Bush to coordinate fundraising efforts for Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. In the 2008 presidential election, he campaigned on behalf of his wife, Hillary Clinton, who ran against Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential primary. In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton ran against Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Real Estate Investments
The Clintons own a home in Chappaqua, New York, which they purchased in 2016 for $1.6 million. The address is 15 Old House Lane, Chappaqua, NY 10514. This 5,232-square-foot residence features five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and it sits on 1.1 acres. In 1999, while still in the White House, they purchased a house in Washington, D.C. at 3067 Whitehaven Street for $2.85 million. They sold this property in 2001 for $3.1 million.
Speaking Engagement Details
Bill Clinton’s speaking fees have ranged from $150,000 to $700,000 per engagement. The $700,000 fee he received for a speech in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2012, is particularly noteworthy. He delivered 73 speeches in 2012 and earned $17 million in that year alone. He gave speeches for groups like the American Camp Association, Boston Consulting Group, and multiple universities.
Book Deals and Royalties
Bill Clinton’s memoir, “My Life,” earned him a $15 million advance in 2001. Hillary Clinton’s book, “It Takes a Village,” significantly boosted their income in 1996, contributing to their $1,065,000 annual gross income. It was published by Simon & Schuster and its success greatly helped their finances.
Pension Details
As a former president, Bill Clinton receives an annual pension of $200,000. This pension is part of the benefits package for former presidents, which also includes office space, staff, and travel allowances. The Former Presidents Protection Act provides for the protection of former presidents and their spouses for the rest of their lives, and also grants additional financial benefits.
Clinton’s Investments
Though not all of Bill and Hillary Clinton’s investments are publicly known, some filings reveal they have held positions in various funds. During Hillary Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State, questions were raised about potential conflicts of interest, especially in relation to contributions to the Clinton Foundation. The Clinton Foundation has received donations from various corporations and individuals around the world. Specific investment details and funds where the Clintons hold substantial positions are not consistently disclosed. As their financial details are not always publicly accessible, it’s challenging to pinpoint precise investment values.
