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Hillary Clinton

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

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

Early life and education

Hillary Rodham Clinton was born in Chicago in 1947 and grew up in suburban Illinois. She studied at Wellesley College and Yale Law School, where she met Bill Clinton.

Political career

She first gained national prominence as First Lady of Arkansas, later serving as First Lady of the United States. She was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York in 2000 and later served as secretary of state under President Barack Obama.

2016 presidential campaign

Clinton won the Democratic nomination in 2016, becoming the first woman to lead a major U.S. party’s presidential ticket. She won the popular vote but lost the presidency to Donald Trump in the Electoral College.

Public life after office

After leaving the State Department, Clinton continued public work through writing, advocacy, speaking, and media projects. She has remained a visible figure in Democratic politics and public debate.

Key facts

  • Served as the 67th U.S. secretary of state from 2009 to 2013.
  • Represented New York in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2009.
  • Was First Lady of the United States during Bill Clinton’s presidency from 1993 to 2001.
  • Became the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party in 2016.
  • Won the national popular vote in the 2016 U.S. presidential election but lost the Electoral College.
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Canadian context

Clinton has been a major figure in U.S. politics and foreign policy, so her decisions and campaigns have had relevance for Canadian readers interested in Canada–U.S. relations, diplomacy, and North American politics.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Hillary Clinton?
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.
How old is Hillary Clinton?
She was born on October 26, 1947, which makes her 78 years old as of July 2026.
What did Hillary Clinton do as Secretary of State?
As secretary of state from 2009 to 2013, she led U.S. diplomacy under President Barack Obama and was involved in foreign policy work on issues such as alliances, global development, and women’s rights.
Did Hillary Clinton win the popular vote in 2016?
Yes. She won the national popular vote in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, but Donald Trump won the Electoral College and the presidency.
What is Hillary Clinton's email controversy?
It refers to criticism over her use of a private email server for official State Department business while she was secretary of state, which led to investigations and extensive public debate.
Is Hillary Clinton still involved in politics?
Yes. She remains publicly active through endorsements, commentary, writing, and Democratic Party politics, though she no longer holds elected office.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton
    Supports: Birth date, offices held, 2016 nomination, and general biography.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hillary-Clinton
    Supports: Biography, offices held, birth date, and 2016 presidential candidacy.
  3. Columbia World Projects — https://worldprojects.columbia.edu/node/900
    Supports: Public-service overview, later activities, and ongoing involvement after office.
  4. White House Archives — https://clintonwhitehouse3.archives.gov/WH/EOP/First_Lady/html/HILLARY_Bio.html
    Supports: Early life, education, and First Lady roles.
  5. Trump White House Archives — https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/first-ladies/hillary-rodham-clinton/
    Supports: First Lady role, Senate election, and Secretary of State service.
  6. PBS American Experience — https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/clinton-hillary-rodham-clinton-biography/
    Supports: Secretary of State role and public-service biography.
  7. Clinton House Museum — https://clintonhousemuseum.org/hillary-clinton/
    Supports: 2016 campaign, popular vote result, and secretary of state summary.