History of Huma Abedin in Timeline

Huma Abedin is an American political staffer known for her close work with Hillary Clinton. She served as vice chair for Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and deputy chief of staff during Clinton's time as Secretary of State. Abedin's career is deeply intertwined with Clinton's political journey, having also held key roles in Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.

July 28, 1975: Birth of Huma Abedin

Huma Mahmood Abedin was born on July 28, 1975. This event marks the beginning of her life.

1996: White House Internship and Start of Journal Editorship

In 1996, Huma Abedin began an internship at the White House, where she was assigned to work with then-First Lady Hillary Clinton. During this same year, she also began working as an assistant editor for the Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs.

2000: Aide and Personal Advisor During Senate Campaign

Huma Abedin officially became Hillary Clinton's aide and personal advisor during Clinton's successful U.S. Senate campaign in New York in 2000.

2007: Abedin Begins Dating Anthony Weiner

Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner began dating in 2007.

2008: Traveling Chief of Staff for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign

During Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, Huma Abedin worked as her traveling chief of staff.

2009: Abedin and Weiner Become Engaged

Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner got engaged in 2009.

2009: Appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff to Hillary Clinton

Huma Abedin was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Hillary Clinton at the State Department in 2009.

July 10, 2010: Abedin Marries Anthony Weiner

Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner were married on July 10, 2010, in a ceremony officiated by former President Bill Clinton.

2010: Clinton Expresses Close Bond with Abedin at Wedding

At Huma Abedin's wedding to Anthony Weiner in 2010, Hillary Clinton said that if she had a second daughter, it would be Huma, highlighting their close relationship.

December 2011: Abedin Gives Birth to Son

Huma Abedin gave birth to a son in December 2011.

June 13, 2012: Congress Members Question Abedin's Security Clearance

On June 13, 2012, five Republican members of Congress sent a letter to the State Department Inspector General alleging that Huma Abedin had family connections to the Muslim Brotherhood and questioned her security clearance.

June 2012: Transition to Special Government Employee and Consultant

After returning from maternity leave in June 2012, Huma Abedin transitioned from her role as Hillary Clinton's deputy chief of staff to become a special Government employee and consultant. This allowed her to work for private clients while also advising the Secretary of State.

June 2012: Start of Multiple Employment Roles

Huma Abedin began working in four different job roles from June 2012.

2012: Benghazi Attack

In 2012, the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya was attacked, resulting in the deaths of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. This event became a subject of significant political controversy.

2012: Benghazi Attack and Aftermath Emails

Some intelligence officials alleged that Huma Abedin's emails relating to the 2012 Benghazi attack and its aftermath, which were sent through Hillary Clinton's private server, potentially contained classified information.

February 2013: End of Multiple Employment Roles

Huma Abedin's employment in four different roles ended in February 2013.

2013: Departure from the State Department and Transition Team Director

Huma Abedin left her position at the State Department in 2013. Following this, she took on the role of director for Hillary Clinton's transition team.

2013: Documentary Features Abedin

Huma Abedin was featured in "Weiner," a 2013 documentary about Anthony Weiner's unsuccessful campaign for Mayor of New York.

July 2015: Overpayment Investigation and Response

In July 2015, information was released indicating that the State Department's inspector general had found Huma Abedin to have been overpaid for unused leave time when she left government employment. This was attributed to violations of vacation and sick leave rules. Abedin contested the findings and requested an administrative review.

September 2015: Benghazi Committee Hears Testimony from Clinton Aides

In September 2015, the House Select Committee on Benghazi heard closed-door testimony from Cheryl Mills and Jake Sullivan, aides to Hillary Clinton, regarding the 2012 Benghazi attack.

October 2015: FOIA Request Hearing and State Department Response

A federal court in Washington, D.C., heard arguments in October 2015 regarding a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by Judicial Watch. The request sought to make Huma Abedin's emails and employment records public. In response, the State Department stated they could provide 69 pages of emails.

October 16, 2015: Abedin Testifies Before Benghazi Committee

On October 16, 2015, Huma Abedin provided closed-door testimony to the House Select Committee on Benghazi, regarding the 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, which resulted in the deaths of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

2015: Vice Chairperson for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign

Huma Abedin took on the role of vice chairperson for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign in 2015 while continuing to work as Clinton's personal assistant.

2015: State Department Subpoenas Clinton Foundation

In 2015, the U.S. Department of State issued a subpoena to the Clinton Foundation, seeking documents related to the charity's projects that may have required government approval during Hillary Clinton's time as Secretary of State. The subpoena also requested records related to Huma Abedin.

2015: FBI Investigation and Controversy Over Clinton's Emails

Starting in 2015, Huma Abedin's emails were part of an FBI investigation and controversy regarding Hillary Clinton's use of a private email account while serving as Secretary of State. This led to allegations from Republicans of potential violations of State Department regulations.

February 2016: State Department Subpoenas Clinton Foundation

In February 2016, The Washington Post reported that the State Department had issued a subpoena to the Clinton Foundation in late 2015, seeking documents related to the charity's projects during Clinton's tenure as secretary of state and records related to Huma Abedin.

February 2016: Classified Information Found on Private Server

In February 2016, it was revealed that 1,818 emails containing classified information, including 22 classified as Top Secret, were found on Hillary Clinton's private email server. While not marked classified at the time, these emails, some of which were sent by Huma Abedin, contained sensitive information, leading to further investigations and controversy.

August 29, 2016: Abedin Announces Separation from Weiner

Huma Abedin announced her separation from Anthony Weiner on August 29, 2016, following new sexting allegations against him.

October 28, 2016: FBI Announces Review of Emails on Weiner's Laptop

On October 28, 2016, the FBI announced it had discovered emails potentially related to Hillary Clinton's private email server on a laptop belonging to Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin's husband at the time. The discovery prompted the FBI to review the emails for classified material, sparking controversy just days before the 2016 presidential election.

October 30, 2016: FBI Obtains Warrant to Search Emails on Weiner's Laptop

On October 30, 2016, the FBI obtained a search warrant for emails found on Anthony Weiner's laptop that were potentially connected to Hillary Clinton's private email server. Huma Abedin had used the same laptop to send emails to Clinton.

2016: Vice Chair of Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign

In 2016, Huma Abedin served as the vice chair for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

May 19, 2017: Abedin Files for Divorce

On May 19, 2017, Huma Abedin filed for divorce from Anthony Weiner after he pleaded guilty to sexting a minor.

January 2018: Abedin and Weiner Withdraw Divorce Case

In January 2018, Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner withdrew their divorce case, opting to settle privately to protect their son.

2018: Recollection of Encounter with U.S. Senator

In 2018, triggered by the sexual assault accusations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Huma Abedin recalled an incident from the mid-2000s involving an unnamed U.S. senator. She described the incident, where the senator kissed her and pushed his tongue into her mouth, in her memoir.

November 2021: Abedin and Weiner's Divorce Nears Finalization

As of November 2021, Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner's divorce was in its final stages. They continued to co-parent their son.

November 2021: Publication of Memoir "Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds"

In November 2021, Huma Abedin's memoir, titled "Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds," was published.

May 2022: Abedin Opens Up About Anxiety and New Relationships

In May 2022, Huma Abedin revealed she sought therapy for anxiety stemming from her ex-husband's sexting scandal. She also shared she was dating again.

July 2022: TV Series Based on Abedin's Memoir Announced

In July 2022, actress Freida Pinto announced plans to develop and star in a television series based on Huma Abedin's memoir. Abedin will serve as executive producer along with Emily Verellen.