History of Monica Lewinsky in Timeline
Monica Lewinsky is an American activist known for her involvement in the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal in the late 1990s. While working as a White House intern from 1995 to 1997, she had an affair with then-President Bill Clinton. The affair became public knowledge, leading to significant media attention, political repercussions, and ultimately, Clinton's impeachment proceedings. Since then, Lewinsky has become an anti-bullying activist and public speaker, focusing on the dangers of online harassment and promoting empathy and resilience.
July 23, 1973: Monica Lewinsky's birth
On July 23, 1973, Monica Samille Lewinsky was born. She later became known for her involvement in the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.
1988: Parents' Divorce
In 1988, Monica Lewinsky's parents divorced and each remarried.
1991: High School Graduation
In 1991, Monica Lewinsky graduated from Bel Air Prep (later known as Pacific High School).
1992: Affair with Drama Instructor
In 1992, Monica Lewinsky began a five-year affair with Andy Bleiler, her married former high school drama instructor.
1993: Enrollment at Lewis & Clark College
In 1993, Monica Lewinsky enrolled at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.
July 1995: White House Internship Begins
In July 1995, Monica Lewinsky began an unpaid summer White House internship in the office of White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta.
November 1995: First Sexual Encounter
In November 1995, Monica Lewinsky stated that she had the first of nine sexual encounters with President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office.
December 1995: Paid Posting in the White House
In December 1995, Monica Lewinsky moved to a paid posting in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.
1995: White House Internship
In 1995, Monica Lewinsky began her internship at the White House, which eventually led to her involvement in the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.
1995: Bachelor's Degree
In 1995, Monica Lewinsky graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Lewis & Clark College.
April 1996: Transfer to the Pentagon
In April 1996, Monica Lewinsky was transferred from the White House to the Pentagon due to concerns about her time spent with Clinton.
1996: Mother's Biography
In 1996, Monica Lewinsky's mother, Marcia Lewis, wrote a "gossip biography" titled 'The Private Lives of the Three Tenors'.
March 1997: Last Sexual Encounter
In March 1997, Monica Lewinsky stated that she had the last of nine sexual encounters with President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office.
September 1997: Tripp Begins Recording Conversations
In September 1997, after Lewinsky told co-worker Linda Tripp about her relationship with Clinton, Tripp began to secretly record their telephone conversations.
December 1997: Lewinsky Leaves Pentagon
In December 1997, Monica Lewinsky left her position at the Pentagon.
1997: End of Affair
In 1997, the affair between Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton came to an end while she was working as a White House intern.
January 1998: Affidavit in Paula Jones Case
In January 1998, Monica Lewinsky submitted an affidavit in the Paula Jones case denying any physical relationship with Clinton, later leading to perjury investigations.
January 1998: News of Affair Breaks
In January 1998, news of the Clinton-Lewinsky relationship broke, leading to intense media scrutiny and public attention.
January 26, 1998: Clinton's Denial
On January 26, 1998, President Clinton stated, 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky,' in a nationally televised White House news conference.
August 17, 1998: Clinton's Defense
On August 17, 1998, Clinton defended his previous statements about his relationship with Lewinsky, arguing about the meaning of the word 'is'.
1998: Truth and Context Lost
In 1998, during the initial unfolding of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, Lewinsky felt that the "truth" and "context" were immediately lost, and that the women involved were reduced to serve other people's purposes for political or monetary gain.
March 3, 1999: Barbara Walters Interview
On March 3, 1999, Barbara Walters interviewed Monica Lewinsky on ABC's 20/20, watched by 70 million Americans.
March 1999: Publication of Monica's Story
In March 1999, Andrew Morton published 'Monica's Story,' Lewinsky's biography detailing her side of the Clinton affair.
May 8, 1999: Saturday Night Live Cameo
On May 8, 1999, Monica Lewinsky made a cameo appearance on NBC's Saturday Night Live.
June 1999: Feminist Debate in Ms. Magazine
In June 1999, Ms. magazine published articles debating the feminist implications of Lewinsky's behavior.
September 1999: Handbag Line Launch
In September 1999, Monica Lewinsky began selling a line of handbags under the company name The Real Monica, Inc.
February 2000: Jenny Craig Ads Stopped
In February 2000, Jenny Craig stopped running the ads featuring Monica Lewinsky due to controversy.
February 2000: Appearance on The Tom Green Show
In February 2000, Monica Lewinsky appeared on MTV's The Tom Green Show.
April 2000: End of Jenny Craig Campaign
In April 2000, Jenny Craig concluded Monica Lewinsky's campaign entirely.
2000: Affair Revelation on Larry King Live
In 2000, Monica Lewinsky revealed on Larry King Live that she had an affair with a 40-year-old married man in Los Angeles when she was 18.
March 2002: HBO Special: Monica in Black and White
In March 2002, Monica Lewinsky appeared in the HBO special "Monica in Black and White", answering questions about her life and the Clinton affair.
2003: Mr. Personality Host
In 2003, Monica Lewinsky hosted the reality television dating program, 'Mr. Personality', on Fox Television Network.
2004: Response to Clinton's Autobiography
In 2004, Monica Lewinsky responded to Bill Clinton's autobiography, 'My Life', in an interview with the British tabloid Daily Mail.
2005: Move to London
By 2005, Monica Lewinsky moved to London to escape the spotlight and study social psychology at the London School of Economics.
December 2006: Graduation with Master of Science Degree
In December 2006, Monica Lewinsky graduated with a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics.
2006: Master's Degree
In 2006, Monica Lewinsky earned a master's degree in psychology from the London School of Economics.
2009: Correspondence with Ken Gormley
In 2009, Monica Lewinsky corresponded with scholar Ken Gormley, stating that Clinton had lied under oath.
2013: Auction of Items by Bleiler's Ex-Wife
In 2013, items associated with Monica Lewinsky that Bleiler had turned over to Starr were put up for auction.
May 2014: Vanity Fair Essay
In May 2014, Monica Lewinsky wrote an essay for Vanity Fair magazine titled 'Shame and Survival', discussing her life and the scandal.
July 2014: Interview in 'The 90s: The Last Great Decade'
In July 2014, Monica Lewinsky was interviewed in a three-part television special for the National Geographic Channel, titled 'The 90s: The Last Great Decade'.
October 2014: Public Stand Against Cyberbullying
In October 2014, Monica Lewinsky took a public stand against cyberbullying, identifying herself as "patient zero" of online harassment and expressing her desire to help other victims of online shaming.
2014: Activism Against Cyberbullying
In 2014, Monica Lewinsky began her activism against cyberbullying, using her past experiences to raise awareness.
March 2015: TED Talk Against Cyberbullying
In March 2015, Lewinsky continued her public advocacy against cyberbullying by delivering a TED talk, calling for a more compassionate Internet.
June 2015: Ambassador for Bystander Revolution
In June 2015, Lewinsky became an ambassador and strategic advisor for the anti-bullying organization Bystander Revolution. Also in June 2015, she gave an anti-cyberbullying speech at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
September 2015: Good Morning America Interview
In September 2015, Lewinsky was interviewed on Good Morning America about Bystander Revolution's Month of Action campaign for National Bullying Prevention Month.
October 2017: Foreword to 'Shame Nation'
In October 2017, Lewinsky wrote the foreword to the book "Shame Nation: The Global Epidemic of Online Hate" by Sue Scheff and Melissa Schorr.
October 2017: #MeToo Tweet
In October 2017, Monica Lewinsky tweeted the #MeToo hashtag, indicating she was a victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault.
March 2018: Vanity Fair Essay
In March 2018, Lewinsky wrote an essay in Vanity Fair, reflecting on her relationship with Bill Clinton and characterizing it as an "abuse of power". She also revealed that she had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
May 2018: Disinvited from Town & Country Event
In May 2018, Lewinsky was disinvited from a Town & Country event after Bill Clinton accepted an invitation.
September 2018: Walk-off in Jerusalem
In September 2018, Lewinsky walked off stage at a conference in Jerusalem after being asked a question about whether Clinton owes her a private apology, a question she had previously said was off-limits.
August 6, 2019: American Crime Story: Impeachment Announcement
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, with Lewinsky as a co-producer.
2019: Interview with John Oliver
In 2019, Lewinsky was interviewed by John Oliver on Last Week Tonight, discussing public shaming and the potential impact of social media during the scandal.
October 2020: Impeachment Season Production Begins
In October 2020, production began on the third season of American Crime Story: Impeachment, with Monica Lewinsky as a co-producer.
September 7, 2021: American Crime Story: Impeachment Premieres
On September 7, 2021, the third season of American Crime Story: Impeachment, which focuses on the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal and features Monica Lewinsky as a co-producer, premiered.
October 2021: Executive Producer of '15 Minutes of Shame'
In October 2021, Lewinsky executively produced an HBO documentary called '15 Minutes of Shame', which focuses on public shaming, online shaming, and ostracism.
