Childhood and Education Journey of Monica Lewinsky in Timeline

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Monica Lewinsky

An overview of the childhood and early education of Monica Lewinsky, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Monica Lewinsky is an American activist known for her involvement in the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal during the late 1990s. While working as a White House intern from 1995 to 1997, she had an affair with then-President Bill Clinton. The exposure of the affair led to widespread media coverage, a political scandal, and impeachment proceedings against Clinton. In later years, Lewinsky has become an anti-bullying activist and public speaker, addressing the challenges of online shaming and reclaiming her narrative.

July 23, 1973: Monica Lewinsky Born

On July 23, 1973, Monica Samille Lewinsky was born. She is an American activist who became known in the late 1990s due to her affair with President Bill Clinton.

Others born on this day/year

1988: Parents Divorced

In 1988, Monica Lewinsky's parents divorced and each remarried.

1991: Graduation from Bel Air Prep

In 1991, Monica Lewinsky graduated from Bel Air Prep, which was later known as Pacific Hills School.

1992: Affair with High School Instructor

In 1992, Monica Lewinsky began a five-year affair with Andy Bleiler, her married former high school drama instructor.

1993: Enrolled at Lewis & Clark College

In 1993, Monica Lewinsky enrolled at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

1995: Graduated with a Bachelor's Degree

In 1995, Monica Lewinsky graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

1996: Mother Wrote a Gossip Biography

In 1996, Monica Lewinsky's mother, Marcia Lewis, wrote "The Private Lives of the Three Tenors", a "gossip biography".

The Private Lives of the Three Tenors: Behind the Scenes With Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras
The Private Lives of the Three Tenors: Behind the Scenes With Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras

January 1998: News of the Clinton-Lewinsky Relationship Broke

In January 1998, news of the Clinton-Lewinsky relationship broke, causing Monica Lewinsky to hide from public attention. News of Lewinsky's affair with Andy Bleiler also came to light.

1998: Truth and Context Lost

In 1998, Monica Lewinsky reflected that during the initial unfolding of the scandal, the truth and context were disregarded. She noted that the women involved were reduced to serve political and financial purposes, lacking nuance in their portrayals.

2000: Revealed Affair with Married Man

In 2000, Monica Lewinsky revealed on Larry King Live that she had started an affair with a 40-year-old married man in Los Angeles when she was 18 years old, and that the affair continued while she was attending Lewis & Clark College in the early 1990s.

2004: Clinton's autobiography Published

In 2004, after President Clinton's autobiography, "My Life" was published, Monica Lewinsky gave an interview to the British tabloid Daily Mail.

2005: Moved to London

By 2005, Monica Lewinsky found that she could not escape the spotlight in the U.S., and she moved to London to study social psychology at the London School of Economics.

December 2006: Graduated with a Master of Science Degree

In December 2006, Monica Lewinsky graduated from the London School of Economics with a Master of Science degree.

2006: Earned Master's Degree

In 2006, Monica Lewinsky obtained a master's degree in psychology from the London School of Economics.

2013: Lewinsky Items up for Auction

In 2013, the items associated with Monica Lewinsky that Bleiler had turned over to Starr were put up for auction by Bleiler's ex-wife.

May 2014: Essay in Vanity Fair: "Shame and Survival"

In May 2014, Monica Lewinsky published an essay titled "Shame and Survival" in Vanity Fair, reflecting on her life and the Clinton scandal. She asserted the relationship was consensual, though she regretted it, and aimed to reclaim her narrative. Vanity Fair then announced her as a contributor.

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July 2014: Interview on The 90s: The Last Great Decade

In July 2014, Monica Lewinsky was interviewed for The 90s: The Last Great Decade, a three-part television special on the National Geographic Channel. The series examined key events of the 1990s, including the scandal involving Lewinsky. This marked her first interview in over a decade.

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October 2014: Public Stand Against Cyberbullying

In October 2014, Monica Lewinsky publicly addressed cyberbullying, identifying herself as "patient zero" of online harassment. Speaking at a Forbes magazine summit, she expressed her desire to support other victims and mentioned being influenced by the suicide of Tyler Clementi. She also joined Twitter to further her efforts.

March 2015: TED Talk on Cyberbullying

In March 2015, Monica Lewinsky continued her anti-cyberbullying advocacy by delivering a TED Talk, advocating for a more compassionate Internet.

June 2015: Anti-Bullying Ambassador and Speech at Cannes Lions

In June 2015, Monica Lewinsky became an ambassador for Bystander Revolution and gave an anti-cyberbullying speech at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

September 2015: Interview on Good Morning America

In September 2015, Monica Lewinsky was interviewed by Amy Robach on Good Morning America, discussing Bystander Revolution's Month of Action campaign for National Bullying Prevention Month.

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October 2017: Tweets #MeToo

In October 2017, Monica Lewinsky used the #MeToo hashtag on Twitter, indicating she was a victim of sexual harassment or assault, without giving specific details.

October 2017: Foreword to Shame Nation Book

In October 2017, Monica Lewinsky wrote the foreword to Shame Nation: The Global Epidemic of Online Hate by Sue Scheff and Melissa Schorr.

Shame Nation: The Global Epidemic of Online Hate
Shame Nation: The Global Epidemic of Online Hate

March 2018: Vanity Fair Essay on #MeToo and Bill Clinton

In March 2018, Monica Lewinsky wrote an essay for Vanity Fair, reflecting on her use of the #MeToo hashtag in October. While acknowledging her relationship with Bill Clinton was consensual, she considered it an "abuse of power" due to the age and power dynamic. She also revealed she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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May 2018: Disinvitation from Town & Country Event

In May 2018, Monica Lewinsky was disinvited from an event hosted by Town & Country after Bill Clinton accepted an invitation to the same event.

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September 2018: Speech in Jerusalem and Walk-Off

In September 2018, Monica Lewinsky spoke at a conference in Jerusalem. During the Q&A, she walked off stage after being asked by journalist Yonit Levi whether Clinton owes her a private apology, a question she had previously said was off-limits.

August 6, 2019: American Crime Story: Impeachment Announced

On August 6, 2019, it was announced that the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal would be the focus of the third season of American Crime Story, titled Impeachment.

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2019: Interview on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

In 2019, Monica Lewinsky was interviewed by John Oliver on HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. They discussed public shaming and how social media's presence during the 1990s scandal could have altered her experience.

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October 2020: Production Begins for American Crime Story: Impeachment

In October 2020, production began for the third season of American Crime Story: Impeachment, with Monica Lewinsky as a co-producer.

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June 2021: Alt Ending Productions and Deal with 20th Television

In June 2021, Monica Lewinsky started her own production company, Alt Ending Productions, and signed a first-look deal with 20th Television.

September 7, 2021: Premiere of American Crime Story: Impeachment

On September 7, 2021, American Crime Story: Impeachment premiered, portraying the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal based on Jeffrey Toobin's book A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President. Actress Beanie Feldstein played Monica Lewinsky.

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October 2021: Executive Production of 15 Minutes of Shame

In October 2021, Monica Lewinsky executive produced the HBO documentary 15 Minutes of Shame, directed by Max Joseph. The documentary explores public shaming, online shaming, and ostracism.

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