Bill Clinton: Multi-Millionaire Professional Speaker

Clinton Tax Return

Last week’s news that Bill & Hillary Clinton’s tax returns show they have earned $109 million over the last eight-years since leaving the White House highlighted the runaway success President Clinton has a professional speaker. His podium fees account for nearly half their family income. The former president’s vigorous lecture schedule, where his speeches command upwards of $250,000, brought in almost $52 million.

Bill would be welcome both as a member of both the National Speakers Association and the International Federation For Professional Speakers.

On September 26th, 2006 he earned $450,000 for one London speech. He’s earned $5.2 million in Canada alone.

These numbers support the claim that Bill Clinton is one of the most successful, compelling public speakers alive today. Of course, he has a unique biography and perspective on the world – anyone who has spent eight years as President will bring that to an event. But I very much doubt that audiences will be paying to see the current inhabitant of the Oval Office when he saddles up and rides off into the sunset.

Bill commands these fees because he delivers value for money. He’s a consummate professional on the podium whose skills as a public speaker, charisma, and ability to entertain audiences around the world keep him in demand. I’m sure he turns down many more offers to speak – at any price – than he accepts. Heck, for all I know, there are interns working at the Clinton Global Initiative Office calling up heads of state to decline invitations every day of the week.

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Public Speaking Articles: Week in Review [2008-04-12]…

Every Saturday, we survey the best public speaking articles from throughout the public speaking blogosphere.
Topics featured this week include:

the connection between presentation skills and career advancement;
speech openings and transitions;
speechw…

I’d be interested in knowing if Bill has filed state income tax returns in each of the states where he has lectured.

2017 update that former House speaker John Boehner is making paid speeches to the tune of $15-50k. Very junior compared to others.

Meanwhile Hillary Clinton is defending her paid speeches to Goldman Sachs.



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