Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has remained busy since she left the State Department six months ago, traveling around the country to give six-figure speeches at various industry groups’ events.
Clinton has made multiple speeches in places like Dallas, Los Angeles and Grand Rapids, Mich., and according to The Washington Post, has earned around $200,000 for each.
As the leading potential Democratic candidate for the 2016 presidential election, Clinton is currently the only one making paid speeches. This is mostly due to the fact that election ethics prohibit candidates in office from giving paid speeches. Clinton, however, who is out of office, is free to do so.
The former First Lady’s money-making venture in paid speeches is not unusual, however. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, receives similar compensation at speaking events and has earned millions of dollars doing so since he left office.
Other big-name leaders like former president George W. Bush and former Secretaries of State Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright, also earn a lot money to speak at events — although not quite as much as the Clintons do.
In contrast to the six-figure payments that the Clintons receive, former president George W. Bush and his administration officials make between $100,000 to $150,000 for every speech they make, The Post reported.
Clinton’s increasing popularity at these events is in part due to industries realizing that her history in public life and the potential she has as a 2016 presidential candidate will likely attract a greater crowd.
Clinton has not made any announcements regarding her plans for 2016, but many already support a bid by the former Secretary of State, including “Ready for Hillary” — a pro-Clinton super PAC that recently joined forces with the same firm that helped reelect President Obama in 2012.
