While the media continues to speculate on if Hillary Rodham Clinton will actually run for president in 2016, the former Secretary of State is keeping busy by making paid speeches. It’s an industry her husband, former President Bill Clinton, has made millions from, and it looks like she’s perfected the craft as well.
The New York Times reports that the Clinton family has earned nearly $100 million from speechmaking since Bill Clinton left office in 2001. Now Clinton, who left the State Department after President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, is reeling in $200,000 per speech.
That’s about what her husband earns on average. He earned $17 million doing this last year, including $700,000 for a speech in Nigeria.
Clinton has spoken at events for American Society of Travel Agents, the National Association of Realtors and other groups since February. She will often stay to take pictures and shake hands with the audience and negotiates travel accommodations as part of her payment.
According to The Washington Post, Clinton has had 14 speeches delivered or scheduled since she left political life.
While Clinton hasn’t said anything officially about the 2016 race, these speeches keep her in the public eye and often give her opportunity to express opinions on policy. In Chicago last month, she commented on immigration and health care.
“She’s talking about her experiences at State, and people have questions that are as you’d expect, but no one’s getting up and lobbying her,” a source told the Post.
Clinton is also currently working on a memoir.
