Bill Clinton

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Bill Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas, he was raised primarily by his mother and stepfather. He adopted the surname Clinton from his stepfather, Roger Clinton. Clinton attended Georgetown University, where he earned a degree in international affairs, and later studied at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar before receiving his law degree from Yale Law School, where he met his future wife, Hillary Rodham.

Before becoming president, Clinton served as the Attorney General of Arkansas from 1977 to 1979 and as the Governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981, and again from 1983 to 1992. As governor, he focused on education reform and economic development in his state. He successfully ran for the presidency in 1992, defeating incumbent President George H. W. Bush.

During his presidency, Clinton presided over a period of significant economic growth and budget surpluses. His administration implemented policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the 1996 welfare reform. Clinton also sought to advance social issues, including health care reform, although his efforts in this area faced challenges in Congress.

Clinton's presidency was marked by foreign policy challenges, including interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo, as well as the 1998 bombing of Iraq. In 1998, he was impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. He was acquitted by the Senate in 1999 and completed his second term in office with high approval ratings.

After leaving office, Clinton founded the Clinton Foundation, focusing on global health, economic development, and environmental issues. He has also remained active in politics, campaigning for various Democratic candidates.