WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- In her yet-to-air interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the unexpected financial turmoil caused by her husband's time as commander-in-chief.
"We came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt," Clinton told Sawyer. "We had no money when we got there, and we struggled to, you know, piece together the resources for mortgages, for houses, for Chelsea's education. You know, it was not easy."
Discussion of the Clinton's finances came in response to Sawyer's question of how the unannounced-but-likely candidate thinks Americans feel about the couple's expensive speaking fees. According to Sawyer, Clinton charges five times the median American income to speak.
"First of all, we had to pay off all our debts, which was, you know, he had to make double the money because of obviously taxes and then pay off the debts and get us houses and take care of family members."
Clinton further rationalized her post-policy career choice, saying, "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."
Since his term in office, Bill Clinton has received nearly $16 million in pensions and benefits on top of the money he and the former first lady make giving speeches and writing books.
Clinton's full interview with Diane Sawyer airs tonight. She will launch her book tour for Hard Choices this week.
