Bill Clinton became a household name when he was sworn in as the 42nd President of the United States in 1993. While his political accomplishments are many, his presidency is often remembered just as much for the scandal involving White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Still, through every high and low, one thing has remained constant—his nearly five-decade-long marriage to Hillary Clinton.

The Clintons’ relationship spans decades, and their bond has weathered some of the toughest storms in public and private life. But their love story almost didn’t begin at all—Hillary turned down Bill’s marriage proposals twice before finally saying yes.

Bill Clinton’s Early Life and Struggles

Born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas, Bill’s early life was shaped by hardship. His father died in a car accident before he was born, and his stepfather, Roger Clinton, was abusive. Despite witnessing domestic violence and growing up in a difficult household, Bill found strength in resilience.

“I never hated my stepfather,” Bill once said. “I hated what he did, but I never hated him.”

Though he kept his home life a secret, young Bill excelled in school and showed promise as a saxophone player. Many believed he might pursue a career in music. However, a life-changing moment at the White House would set him on a different path. During a visit as part of the Boys Nation program, he famously met President John F. Kennedy—an encounter that sparked his dream of becoming president.

Meeting Hillary: A Yale Love Story

Bill attended Georgetown University, studied as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, and later earned his law degree from Yale. It was there, in 1971, that he met Hillary Rodham in a civil rights law class. She caught his attention instantly—not for her appearance, but for her confidence, intellect, and presence.

The moment that changed everything? Hillary walked up to him in the library after noticing he’d been staring. “If you’re going to keep looking at me,” she said, “we should at least know each other’s names.”

That bold move sparked a romance built on shared values and mutual respect. The two started dating and even worked together on George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign.

Why Hillary Turned Down Two Proposals

Despite their deep connection, Hillary wasn’t ready to marry Bill right away. She turned down his first two proposals, fearing she’d lose her identity in the shadow of his larger-than-life political ambitions.

“He said, ‘I won’t ask again until you’re ready to say yes,’” Hillary later recalled.

Eventually, she was. In 1975, Hillary and Bill tied the knot in a small ceremony at their Arkansas home. Bill would later describe her as his best friend, saying he was in awe of her intelligence and strength.

Building a Life Together

In 1980, they welcomed their daughter, Chelsea, and continued their climb in the political world. Bill became the Governor of Arkansas and, in 1993, the President of the United States. Meanwhile, Hillary carved her own path as a prominent lawyer and public servant.

But their time in the White House was marred by scandal. Bill’s affair with Monica Lewinsky became public in 1998, causing one of the biggest political firestorms in modern American history.

Lewinsky, then a 22-year-old intern, was forced into the spotlight. Clinton denied the affair at first, famously saying, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” The truth eventually came out through taped conversations and a grand jury investigation.

Hillary’s Toughest Decision

The scandal rocked the Clinton marriage. Hillary later described the period as one of the hardest times of her life.

“I was furious, dumbfounded,” she said in a 2003 interview. “I couldn’t imagine how he could do that to me.”

In her memoir, she called the decision to stay with Bill one of the most difficult she had ever made. But she chose to rebuild their relationship, and they eventually moved forward together.

Life After the White House

After leaving Washington in 2001, Bill focused on global humanitarian efforts through the Clinton Foundation, while Hillary launched her own political career. She served as a U.S. Senator, then as Secretary of State under President Obama, and ran for president in 2016.

The couple also became grandparents—welcoming their first grandchild in 2014, followed by two more in 2016 and 2019.

Still Going Strong

Despite everything—public scandals, political battles, and personal challenges—Bill and Hillary Clinton have remained together. In 2024, they celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.

“Happy Anniversary, Hillary,” Bill tweeted. “It’s been an amazing 49 years. Here’s to many more!”

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