Former President Bill Clinton was hospitalized onDecember 23, at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, after developing a fever, his spokesman confirmed to CNN. He is undergoing testing and observation but remains “awake and alert,” according to an aide.
“The president is fine,” Angel Urena, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, said, adding that Clinton is hopeful to return home by Christmas. “He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving.”
News of Clinton’s hospitalization spread swiftly through his wide-reaching network of allies. A longtime associate emphasized that his condition was “not urgent or dire by any means.”
Clinton was at his Washington residence when his condition prompted medical evaluation. He is expected to stay in the hospital at least overnight for further monitoring.
This hospitalization follows a history of significant medical challenges for the 42nd president. In 2004, Clinton underwent quadruple coronary bypass surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York after doctors discovered life-threatening blockages in his arteries.
Led by Dr. Craig R. Smith, the four-hour procedure rerouted blood flow around four arteries that were over 90% blocked. “There was a substantial likelihood that he would have had a substantial heart attack in the near future,” said Dr. Allan Schwartz, the hospital’s chief of cardiology, at a press conference after the surgery.
The operation required Clinton’s heart to be stopped while a heart-lung machine took over for 73 minutes. Schwartz explained that Clinton attributed his symptoms — mild chest constrictions and shortness of breath — to acid reflux and a lack of exercise, thinking they were “not significant.”
Clinton’s family expressed relief following the surgery. “Chelsea and I thank God and the incredible medical team and staff here at New York-Presbyterian Hospital for taking such good care of my husband,” said Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at the time.
The following year, in 2005, Clinton received treatment for a partially collapsed lung, further adding to his health struggles. In 2010, Clinton required emergency surgery to insert two stents after a vein from his bypass surgery failed. This scare prompted him to adopt a vegan diet and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
In a 2013 AARP The Magazine interview, Clinton explained, “I just decided that I was the high-risk person, and I didn’t want to fool with this anymore. And I wanted to live to be a grandfather.”
He acknowledged challenges in the transition, “The main thing that was hard for me actually — much harder than giving up meat, turkey, chicken and fish — was giving up yogurt and hard cheese. I love that stuff, but it really made a big difference when I did it.”
Clinton credited his lifestyle change with helping him lose over 30 pounds and improving his energy levels. “I wanted to do it because this health and wellness work I’ve been doing is increasingly important to me,” he added, highlighting his commitment to promoting healthier habits through the Clinton Foundation.
Though Clinton’s vegan diet helped him maintain his health for years, he faced another setback in 2021 when he was hospitalized for six days in Los Angeles due to a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream.
In spite of his health challenges, Clinton has remained active in public life. Last fall, he campaigned vigorously and delivered remarks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. More recently, he has been promoting his latest book, “Citizen: My Life After the White House.”
As the former president undergoes observation, his team has assured the public he is in good spirits, sparking hope for a quick recovery.