Virginia Clinton Kelley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Virginia Clinton Kelley
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Kelley with President Bill Clinton in 1993.
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| Born |
Virginia Dell Cassidy
June 6, 1923 |
| Died | January 6, 1994 (aged 70) Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
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| Resting place | Rose Hill Cemetery, Hope, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names |
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| Education | Northwestern State University |
| Occupation | Nurse anesthetist |
| Known for | Mother of U.S. President Bill Clinton |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
William Jefferson Blythe Jr.
(m. 1943; died 1946)Roger Clinton Sr.
(m. 1950; div. 1962)
(m. 1962; died 1967)Jeff Dwire
(m. 1969; died 1974)Richard Kelley
(m. 1982; |
| Children |
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| Relatives |
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Virginia Clinton Kelley (born June 6, 1923, died January 6, 1994) was an American nurse. She was also the mother of Bill Clinton, who became the 42nd President of the United States. Virginia was known for her strong spirit and her support for her son throughout his life and political career.
Virginia Clinton Kelley's Early Life
Virginia Dell Cassidy was born in Bodcaw, Arkansas. She was the only child of James Eldridge Cassidy and Edith Cassidy. Her father was an iceman and later a grocer. Her mother was a nurse.
When Virginia was a toddler, her family moved to Hope, Arkansas. During her high school years, she worked as a waitress. After graduating, Virginia moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, to study nursing, just like her mother.
While training in Shreveport, she met William Jefferson Blythe, Jr.. They married in 1943, just before he left for military duty in World War II. After her training, Virginia returned to Hope, Arkansas.
Family and Marriages
After the war, William Blythe was on his way back to Hope when he died in a car accident. This happened three months before their son, Bill Clinton, was born.
Virginia later trained in New Orleans to become a nurse anesthetist. In 1950, Virginia married Roger Clinton Sr., a car salesman. They had a son named Roger Clinton Jr.. Bill, her first son, later took the Clinton last name in 1962. Roger Sr. and Virginia divorced in 1962 but remarried a few months later.
After Roger Clinton Sr. passed away in 1967, Virginia married hairdresser Jeff Dwire in 1969. Jeff died in 1974 due to complications from diabetes.
On January 17, 1982, Virginia married Richard Kelley. He was an executive at a food distribution company. Their marriage lasted until Virginia's death.
Later Years and Legacy
Virginia Clinton Kelley passed away on January 6, 1994, at her home in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was 70 years old and died from complications of breast cancer. Her death happened less than a year after her son, Bill Clinton, became the 42nd President of the United States in 1993.
She is buried next to her first husband, William J. Blythe, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hope, Arkansas.
Before she passed away, Virginia was interviewed by Connie Chung. She spoke about both of her sons. Bill Clinton later shared that his mother was one of the first people to support him when he first decided to run for president.
