Jay StrubbergDid the Clintons really go from "rags to riches" post-White-House? (Via Wikimedia Commons / Chatham House, U.S. Department of Labor)
In an exclusive interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer Monday, Hillary Clinton said her family was "dead broke" after former President Bill Clinton left office in 2001.
"We came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt. ... we struggled to, you know, piece together the resources for mortgages, for houses, for Chelsea's education. You know, it was not easy." (Via ABC)
This might explain why the former Secretary of State was apparently quick to defend her and husband's steep pricetag for their speeches since that time.
According to The New York Times, each half of this political power couple makes around $200,000 for each speech, which – it would appear – was certainly enough to help dig them out of the hole.
Bill Clinton alone raked in $17 million just last year from speaking engagements that spanned the globe – something Hillary acknowledged in Monday's interview with Sawyer. (Via Georgetown University)
"Bill has worked really hard -- and it's been amazing to me -- he's worked very hard. ... Let me put it this way ... I thought making speeches for money was a much better thing than getting connected with any one group or company as so many people who leave public life do." (Via ABC)
The Clintons have actually faced some dire financial straits even more recently than 2001.
According to USA Today, Mrs. Clinton finally paid off a massive $20 million campaign debt just last year from Hillary's failed presidential run. (Via USA Today)
But, is this picture of financial woes Hillary illustrates as accurate as she says it is?
The Washington Post took an in depth look at the Clinton's assets and wealth using the website Open Secrets. What they found is that while Clinton is technically correct they went bust in 2000, the two bounced back very quickly and their finances "soared" the following year.
Clinton's interview with Sawyer comes on the eve of the release of her new memoir, "Hard Choices," which of course has drawn a lot of attention. (Via Amazon)
CBS first got their hands on a copy and said Hillary covers the political gamut from her failed presidential run and subsequent secret meeting with Obama to "bury the hatchet" to the Benghazi debacle to particularly candid notes regarding her interactions with international leaders. (Via Simon & Schuster)
"President Putin 'proved over time to be thin-skinned and autocratic, resenting criticism' ... President Hu of China 'seemed to me more like an aloof chairman of the board." (Via CBS)
It's also worth noting that in the last few pages of the book, Clinton writes that she has still not made a decision on a run for the White House in 2016.
