--- title: Bill Clinton: How Hillary Clinton's FGOTUS Would Be Treated description: 'I think I prefer First Husband,' Bill Clinton says, with a twinkle in his eye as we sit down to lunch in the couple’s gracious home canonical: https://time.com/4426219/this-is-what-it-would-look-like-if-we-treated-bill-clinton-like-a-first-lady/ author: Sarah Miller article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-07-27T15:25:28.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:41:56.713Z article:section: Ideas og:title: If We Treated Bill Clinton Like a First Lady... og:description: This is what it would look like og:url: https://time.com/4426219/this-is-what-it-would-look-like-if-we-treated-bill-clinton-like-a-first-lady/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte66ed60fa33cc6a0/69889f9dfb4eac23dd88e7aa/hillary-clinton-dnc-democratic-national-convention-ben-lowy0032.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2560 og:image:height: 1440 og:image:alt: TIMEPOL RNC og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: If We Treated Bill Clinton Like a First Lady... twitter:description: This is what it would look like twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte66ed60fa33cc6a0/69889f9dfb4eac23dd88e7aa/hillary-clinton-dnc-democratic-national-convention-ben-lowy0032.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # This Is What It Would Look Like If We Treated Bill Clinton Like a First Lady > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Inside TIME: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Inside TIME is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories. Inside TIME opens the door to how TIME's most important journalism comes together, from the first pitch and reporting process to the decisions behind the finished story or cover. Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs takes readers inside the newsroom, revealing the journalists, ideas and editorial choices behind the stories shaping the global conversation. 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It explains how TIME's journalism is made, from the first pitch through the editorial decisions behind a finished story or cover. #### How can I read about how TIME chooses its covers? Inside TIME is the newsletter where TIME's Editor-in-Chief explains cover selection and the editorial reasoning behind major stories. It is free at time.com/newsletters. #### Who is the editor of TIME? Sam Jacobs is TIME's Editor-in-Chief. He writes Inside TIME, a twice-weekly newsletter about the newsroom's reporting and editorial decisions. #### Is Inside TIME free? Yes. Inside TIME is a free newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. ## Video: Bill Clinton Praises Hillary as the Best ‘Change-Maker’ [Watch (HLS stream): Bill Clinton Praises Hillary as the Best ‘Change-Maker’](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/szORlNUt.m3u8) (2:45)  _Published 2016-07-27. Taking on the role of devoted political spouse, former President Bill Clinton declared his wife Hillary Clinton an impassioned “change-maker,” serving as character witness for her on the night she triumphantly became the first woman nominated._ by [Sarah Miller](https://time.com/author/sarah-miller/) ## Sarah Miller Jul 27, 2016 3:25 PM UTC  Former US President Bill Clinton speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Former US President Bill Clinton speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIME by [Sarah Miller](https://time.com/author/sarah-miller/) ## Sarah Miller Jul 27, 2016 3:25 PM UTC We are very close to having our first woman president, but let’s not forget that we’re quite possibly on the dawn of another monumental first. If [Hillary Clinton wins in November](http://ti.me/2adzbEM), Bill Clinton will be America’s First Gentleman! FGOTUS! (BillyGOTUS?) The press has been abuzz this week with speculation as to what role the former two-term president might play in his wife’s campaign, given his considerable poise and charm. We caught up with the 69-year-old former president, dad, grandfather and vegan to see what [special spin he’s going to put on this historic new role](http://ti.me/2a3AuDo). “I think I prefer First Husband,” Bill says with that signature twinkle in his eye as we sit down to lunch in the couple’s gracious Chappaqua home. The table is set tastefully with Monique Lhuillier China. “I have always loved her fashion aesthetic so she was a natural choice for us in the home,” Bill comments, “She’s so fresh and modern, but totally elegant.” We help ourselves to an array of vegetarian dishes inspired by the Clintons’ travels around the world, and he points to each of them proudly. “This is sauerkraut, because Germany is one of our closest allies. This is moussaka, because of course [Greece has been in the news a lot this year](http://time.com/4346012/greek-migrants-macedonia-idomeni-camp/), and not necessarily for good reasons, but what can I say, we are a moussaka family! And this is a sweet potato, cauliflower and greens casserole—I saw the recipe in _Southern Living_ and it just reminded me of things my mother used to make.” I have to ask—did he do all this himself? “Oh, no,” Bill laughs, “[Hillary and I talked about this](http://ti.me/2accXjc). I said, “You’re going to be so busy running for being President, I want to help out in any way I can, but I’m just not the best cook.” He smiled ruefully. “She told me that it would be enough for me to plan meals with the staff, and I said, well, surely that’s something I can do. Also, I do like being able to adjust the meal plans to my own vegan diet.” As he says this, he turns a little in his chair, and we are able to see the slim silhouette, so tastefully attired in the vintage [Donna Karan](http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/06/13/donna-karan-celebrates-bill-clinton). Bill gets his hands on whenever he can—rumor has it Bill was “devastated” when the designer and Dem Donor stopped doing menswear. Can this really be the man who, not so long ago it seems, used to jog to the McDonald’s? “Deciding to take that crucial step by going vegan was one of the most important decisions I have ever made,” Bill says, “Not just for me, but for my whole family.” He tears up a little. “It has meant a lot to me to be able to share this diet with my daughter, to pass on the legacy of health to her.” Since we’re talking about flavors here, dare we ask what his plans are for the White House décor? “Well, it’s one of the things I am most looking forward to, of course,” he says. “I don’t know a lot about decorating, but I definitely have very, very strong opinions.” He pats a stack of folders at the end of the dining room table. “Obviously we don’t want to count all our chickens before they’re hatched, but I do have a list of interior decorators I am interested in sitting down with—only when it the time is right.” But Bill wants to make sure Americans know that he’s going to be doing a lot more than keeping house. “I think it’s really important for me to be a role model.” ### Hillary and Bill Clinton’s Political Romance in Photos  Hillary and Bill Clinton have been married 40 years— much of it spent in the political spotlight. Here, Hillary Rodham and Bill Clinton married at a small ceremony on Oct. 11, 1975 - present Courtesy William J. Clinton Presidential Library Courtesy William J. Clinton Presidential Library  Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton and wife Hillary Rodham hold their week-old baby Chelsea on March 5, 1980. Donald R. Broyles—AP  Former Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton celebrate his victory in the Democratic runoff in Little Rock, Ark. on June 8, 1982. AP  Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton hugs his wife Hillary Clinton after she introduced him to well wishers at a downtown Chicago hotel, March 10, 1992. Ralf-Finn Hestoft—AP  Hillary Rodham Clinton sits on the lap of her husband, democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton left, as she jokes with vice presidential candidate Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, during a brief rest on their bus in Durham, N.C., on Oct. 26, 1992. Stephen Savoia—AP  Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton comforts his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton on the set of the news program '60 Minutes' after a stage light unexpectedly broke loose from the ceiling and knocked her down on Jan. 26, 1992. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images  President Bill Clinton dances with First Lady Hillary Clinton on stage on Jan. 20, 1993 in Washington. Eleven inaugural balls were held on the same evening in honor of President Clinton's election. Diana Walker—Liaison/Getty Images  President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton give each other a hug while playing golf at the Mink Meadows Golf Club on Martha's Vineyard Aug. 27,1993 in Massachusetts. J. David Ake—AFP/Getty Images  President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton cut vegetables at the Covenant Baptist Church in Washington, on Nov. 24, 1993. Doug Mills—AP  President Bill Clinton bikes with his wife, Hillary Clinton, during their vacation on Martha's Vineyard in 1994. Evan Richman—The Boston Globe/Getty Images  President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton drink Coca-Cola at Moscow's Coca-Cola refreshments plant on May 11, 1995. Greg Gibson—AP  President Bill Clinton puts an arm around his wife, Hillary Clinton, while watching Old Faithful erupt at Yellowstone National Park, Wyo., on Aug. 25, 1995\. The first family visited several Yellowstone sites while on vacation. Doug Mills—AP  President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton share a moment during an East Room ceremony at the White House on July 17, 1996. Ron Edmonds—AP  President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton look at each other as they opened the White House Conference on Child Care Thursday Oct. 23, 1997 in the East Room of the White House. J. Scott Applewhite—AP  First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visits President Bill Clinton on March 14, 1997 at Bethesda Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. after he underwent surgery on his knee. AP  First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, squeezes the chin of President Bill Clinton during the kick-off rally for The President's Summit in Philadelphia on April 27, 1997. Tim Shaffer—AP  President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton dance on the beach of Megan Bay, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands shortly after taking a swim on Jan. 4, 1998. Paul J. Richards—AFP/Getty Images  First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton watches President Bill Clinton as he thanks Democratic members of the House of Representatives who voted against impeachment on Dec. 19, 1998, following the Lewinsky scandal. Susan Walsh—AP  President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton embrace during the New York State Senate luncheon on July 29, 2000 in New York City. Pablo Martinex Monsivais—AP  Senatorial candidate for New York and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton with husband President Bill Clinton pose for photos with the workers at Gianelli's Italian Sausages at the State Fair on Sept. 2, 2000 in Syracuse, N.Y. Tim Sloan—AFP/Getty Images  New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband former President Bill Clinton smile after she won her second term, during a rally held by New York Democrats, in New York, on Nov. 7, 2006. Timothy A. Clary—AFP/Getty Images  Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., is hugged by her husband, former President Bill Clinton as he introduces her during a campaign rally in Louisville, Ky. on May 19, 2008. Elise Amendola—AP  Former President Bill Clinton and then Secretary of State-elect Hillary Clinton celebrate the beginning of the year 2009 during the ceremony to lower the Times Square New Year's Eve ball in Times Square on Jan. 1, 2009 in New York. Jemal Countess—Getty Images  Democratic presidential candidate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband former U.S. president Bill Clinton embrace during a primary night event on June 7, 2016 in Brooklyn, New York after Hillary Clinton surpassed the number of delegates needed to become the democratic nominee. Justin Sullivan—Getty Images For this reason, he is planning on keeping up with his foundation, as well as his speaking engagements. Also, he adds, pointing out that the moussaka is made with cashew cheese, “I’m really hoping I can use my new role to introduce ordinary Americans to non-dairy cheese.” He shows me his crossed fingers then laughs to himself. “Hillary once said ‘[I’m not just sitting here some little woman standing by my man like Tammy Wynette.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/flowers012792.htm)’ I guess for me the analogy would be—hmm. Well. I can’t really think of an analogy! But hey, I want little boys to be able look at me and say to themselves, ‘If my wife is president one day I will be damned if I’m just going to sit around looking at fabric samples.'” He shakes his head, serious for the first time since we began this conversation. “Sure, it’s important to make a nice home for my family, but I just couldn’t live with myself if little boys thought that’s all they were good for.” He shudders. I have to remark that it sounds to me like his First Husband vision involves taking on some of the domestic opportunities that America really never had addressed during Hillary’s policy-focused stint as First Lady. Bill looks thoughtful. “Interesting point,” he says. “I never really thought of that.” He checks his signature Shinola watch. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I have some chocolate chip cookies in the oven. I also have a call with Monique Lhuillier in a half hour. She’s helping me put together some looks for the convention. I don’t think I need to tell you—I am running out of ideas!” ## Transcript In the spring of 1971, I met a girl. I went up to her and she said she was gonna register for classes for the next term. I said I'd go too, and we stood in line and talked, you had to do that to register back then And I thought I was doing pretty well til we got to the front of the line and the registrar looked up and said, Bill, what are you doing here? You registered this morning. [ LAUGH ] And I really hope that her choosing me and rejecting my advice to pursue her own career Was a decision she would never regret. She's insatiably curious, she's a natural leader, she's a good organizer, and she's the best darn change maker I've ever met in my entire life. [ APPLAUSE ] Since she went to Beijing in 1995 and said women's rights are human rights and human rights are Women's rights. [ APPLAUSE ] She worked to empower women and girls around the world, and to make the same exact declaration on behalf of the LGBT community in America and around the world. [ APPLAUSE ] How does this square with the things That you heard at the Republican convention. What's the difference in what I told you and what they said? How do you square it? You can't. One is real, the other is made up. You just have to decide which is which my fellow Americans The real one had done more positive change making before she was 30 than many public officials do in a life time in office. [ APPLAUSE ] Good for you because earlier today you nominated the real woman. If you love this country, you're working hard, you're paying taxes, and you're obeying the law and you'd like to become a citizen, you should choose immigration reform over somebody that wants to send you back. [ APPLAUSE ] If you're a Muslim and you love America and freedom and you hate terror Stay here and help us win and make a future together. [ APPLAUSE ] We want you. [ APPLAUSE ] The reason you should elect her is that in the greatest country on Earth, we have always been about tomorrow, your children and grandchildren. We'll bless you forever if you do. God bless you, thank you. 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