Monica Lewinsky net worth is something many people are curious about. She first became known for a political scandal in the 1990s, but over the years, she has built a career as a writer, speaker, and activist. She has focused on issues like online bullying and public shaming.
So, let’s take a closer look at how she makes her money and what has shaped her career.
Monica Lewinsky in Brief
| Full Name | Monica Lewinsky |
| Date of Birth | July 23, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | San Francisco, California |
| Occupation | TV Personality, Activist, Fashion Designer |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 140 lbs (63.5 kg) |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
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What Monica Lewinsky Net Worth?
Monica Lewinsky is an American activist, TV personality, and Fashion Designer with an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. While she was once at the center of a major controversy, she has since built a career as a public speaker, television personality, and anti-bullying activist. Her income comes from book sales, speaking engagements, television appearances, and brand collaborations.
Monica has worked with organizations that focus on online harassment and has delivered powerful speeches about the effects of public shaming. She earns a significant amount from public speaking events, reportedly charging between $25,000 and $50,000 per appearance. Her work has helped her become a respected voice on topics like digital culture and media ethics.
Early Life
Monica Lewinsky was born on July 23, 1973, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in a wealthy family in Southern California. Her father, Bernard Lewinsky, was an oncologist, and her mother, Marcia Kay Vilensky, was an author. Her parents divorced in 1988, and both remarried.
Monica attended Sinai Temple in Los Angeles and went to Sinai Akiba Academy. She also went to John Thomas Dye School in Bel-Air and Beverly Hills High School. Monica graduated from Bel Air Prep in 1991.
After high school, Monica went to Santa Monica College and worked in the drama department at Beverly Hills High School. She also worked at a tie shop. In 1992, she started a five-year affair with her married high school drama instructor, Andy Bleiler.
Monica later went to Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where she graduated with a degree in psychology in 1995. In 2000, she told Larry King that she had an affair with a married man in Los Angeles when she was 18.
With help from a family connection, Monica got a summer internship at the White House in 1995. She later moved to a paid position in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs in December 1995.
Career
Monica Lewinsky’s immunity deal kept her from discussing many details publicly. However, she did work with Andrew Morton to write Monica’s Story, her biography about her affair with President Clinton. The book was released in 1999, and a part of it was featured in Time magazine. She made around $500,000 from the book and $1 million from an interview with Barbara Walters, but her legal bills were high.
In 1999, Lewinsky made a cameo on Saturday Night Live and also worked with Ms. magazine on articles about feminism and her actions. She started a handbag line called The Real Monica, selling her designs online and in stores like Henri Bendel. Later, she worked with Jenny Craig, appearing in commercials for a $1 million deal. The weight loss program was controversial, and her ads ended after a few months.
Monica Lewinsky moved to New York City in 2000 and became part of the social scene. She also appeared on MTV’s The Tom Green Show and worked as a correspondent for Monica’s Postcards on Channel 5 in the UK. In 2002, after her immunity agreement ended, she appeared on the HBO special Monica in Black and White, where she answered questions from a studio audience.
In 2003, she hosted Mr. Personality on Fox, a reality dating show. Despite some people boycotting the show, it did well in ratings. She also appeared on V Graham Norton and The View. In 2004, after Clinton’s book My Life was released, Lewinsky criticized him for not being honest about their relationship. She said he lied to protect the presidency and hurt her character.
By 2005, Monica Lewinsky moved to London to study social psychology at the London School of Economics. She graduated in 2006 with a Master’s degree. After that, she avoided the public eye, living in places like Los Angeles and Portland. She struggled to find work due to her past.
In 2009, she wrote to scholar Ken Gormley about Clinton’s lies under oath. In 2013, items linked to Lewinsky were auctioned, and throughout her years away from the spotlight, she had a difficult time rebuilding her career in marketing and nonprofit work.
Scandal
Monica Lewinsky said she had nine sexual encounters with President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office from November 1995 to March 1997. These encounters included oral sex but not full sexual intercourse.
Clinton had been accused of sexual misconduct before, during his time as Governor of Arkansas. Paula Jones filed a lawsuit, saying Clinton sexually harassed her. Lewinsky’s name came up during this case as Jones’ lawyers tried to show Clinton had inappropriate relationships with other government workers.
In April 1996, Lewinsky was moved from the White House to the Pentagon. There, she worked with Kenneth Bacon, a spokesman. In September 1997, Lewinsky told her coworker Linda Tripp about her relationship with Clinton. Tripp secretly recorded their calls.
In December 1997, Monica Lewinsky left her Pentagon job. She also signed an affidavit in January 1998, denying a physical relationship with Clinton. Lewinsky tried to get Tripp to lie, but Tripp gave the tapes to Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, who was already investigating Clinton.
In January 1998, news broke about Clinton and Lewinsky’s relationship. Clinton denied it during a press conference. Lewinsky then went into hiding at her mother’s home. News also came out about Lewinsky’s past affair with Andy Bleiler, her former high school teacher.
Later, Clinton denied having a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky. He argued that the meaning of the word “is” was important in his defense. Clinton admitted to an inappropriate relationship but denied lying under oath, saying that “oral sex” wasn’t included in his definition of sex. Clinton and Lewinsky both testified before a grand jury. Lewinsky was granted immunity in exchange for her testimony.
Personal Life
Monica Lewinsky went through a tough time after the scandal. She developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To cope with the pressure, she started knitting, which helped her feel better. In 1999, Monica founded The Real Monica, Inc. and designed handbags. These bags were sold in stores like Fred Segal and Henri Bendel.
After the scandal, Monica lived in New York City, London, Portland, and Los Angeles. She mostly stayed out of the public eye from 2005 until 2014. During that time, she wrote an essay called Shame and Survival for Vanity Fair. She also started contributing to their website.
As of late 2021, Monica Lewinsky said in PEOPLE magazine that she dates but is not married. She feels that she has earned the right to keep her romantic life private. Monica now lives in San Francisco, California.