Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who served as First Lady of the United States, U.S.

Hillary Clinton is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who served as U.S. secretary of state, a U.S. senator from New York, and First Lady of the United States. She was the Democratic Party’s nominee for president in 2016 and won the national popular vote but lost the Electoral College.

What it is

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton was born in Chicago in 1947 and studied at Wellesley College and Yale Law School. She first gained national prominence as First Lady of Arkansas and later as First Lady of the United States during Bill Clinton’s presidency from 1993 to 2001. She represented New York in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2009 and served as the 67th U.S. secretary of state under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013.

Why it matters

Clinton became the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party in 2016. She won the national popular vote but lost the Electoral College to Donald Trump, a result that reshaped U.S. politics and continues to influence debates about the electoral system. Her career has also been a focal point for discussions on gender, diplomacy, and public service in North America.

Key details

After leaving the State Department, Clinton remained active through books, speaking, and commentary on politics. She has been a visible figure in Democratic politics and public debate, including endorsements and media projects. Her use of a private email server for official business while secretary of state led to investigations and extensive public controversy.