Betty Currie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Betty Currie
Currie in 1999
Personal Secretary to the President
In office January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Patty Presock
Succeeded by	Ashley Estes
Personal details
Born	Betty Grace Williams (1939-11-10) November 10, 1939 (age 85) Edwards, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Bob Currie

Betty Grace Currie (born November 10, 1939) is an American government official. She worked as the personal secretary for Bill Clinton when he was the President of the United States. A personal secretary helps a leader with their daily tasks and schedule.

Early Life and School

Betty Currie was born in Edwards, Mississippi. When she was a child, her family moved to Waukegan, Illinois. She finished her high school education at Waukegan High School.

Working in Government

After high school, Betty Currie started working in offices. She worked at the Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. Later, she moved to Washington, D.C., the capital city.

In Washington, D.C., she worked for several important government groups. These included the United States Department of the Navy and the United States Postal Service. She also worked for the United States Agency for International Development and the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps helps people in other countries.

Betty Currie's career in government grew steadily. In 1969, Joseph Blatchford became the director of the Peace Corps. He needed a very good secretary. He said Betty Currie was "reliable" and "efficient." She stayed with him when he moved to another agency called ACTION. She worked there for three different directors.

Betty Currie also stayed connected to the Peace Corps. In 2006, she joined the board of directors for the National Peace Corps Association.

Working with Presidents

After retiring from government work for a short time, Betty Currie met John Podesta. He encouraged her to return to politics. In 1984, she helped with the presidential campaign for Walter Mondale. Later, she worked on the campaign for Michael Dukakis in 1988.

She then joined Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. She worked with James Carville in a special office called the "War Room" in Little Rock, Arkansas.

After Bill Clinton won the election, Betty Currie became his personal secretary. She worked for him during both of his terms as president. She still keeps in touch with the Clinton family. She even supported Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in 2008.

Later Work

In 2008, Betty Currie was appointed to the Alcohol Beverage Board in St. Mary's County, Maryland. This board helps manage rules about drinks.

In December 2008, she returned to Washington, D.C. She helped with the team preparing for President-elect Barack Obama. She answered phones for John Podesta, who was a co-chairman of the transition team.

Personal Life

Betty Currie has now retired from her work. She lives in St. Mary's County, Maryland, with her husband, Bob Currie. She also has a grown daughter.

Betty Currie with Socks, the Clintons' cat.

Buddy, the Clintons' dog, playing near Betty Currie's desk in 1998.

A special part of her personal life involves the Clinton family's pets. Socks, the White House cat, lived with Betty Currie after the Clintons left the White House. Socks stayed with her until the cat passed away in 2009.