Hillary Clinton confidant Huma Abedin is profiled in a lengthy Vogue article by Nathan Heller that called her “the engine at the center of Clinton’s well-run machine.” Abedin is the Democratic presidential candidate’s longest-serving staffer and started as an intern back in 1996.
Abedin was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to an Indian-born father and Palestinian mother who moved to Saudi Arabia when their daughter was very young.
“I grew up in a country where there was no such thing as electoral politics. I mean, we didn’t vote,” she told Vogue. Things have worked out quite well for Abedin ever since, here are five takeaways from the profile.
1. She is even tighter with Hillary than you thought
We already knew Clinton and Abedin were close, but the Vogue article makes them appear inseparable.
“To onlookers, Clinton and Abedin seem to travel the world as a single entity joined by complementary strengths,” Heller wrote. “If Clinton, in her bold suits and impeccable coifs, distills a certain era of feminist empowerment, Abedin, with her breezy downtown dresses and mobile power-dialing, is the professional face of a younger, more wired-in female generation.”
“The nature of our relationship has changed,” Abedin told Vogue. “Over the years, we’ve shared stories about our lives, we’ve shared more meals than I can count, we’ve celebrated together, we’ve mourned together.”
2. It wasn’t love at first sight with husband Anthony Weiner
“Our recollection is not identical,” Abedin told Vogue about the first time she met her husband, former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, which happened at Democratic retreat in 2001. “But we both remember that I ordered tea, and then left to use the ladies’ room, and then never came back. That was our first meeting.”
“One of the things that, because we became friendly, I found striking about Anthony was how smart he was, what a great debater he was. He was smart, he was passionate,” she told the magazine before calling his passion “very attractive.” The two married in 2010.
Weiner famously put Abedin in the public eye when a sexting scandal became tabloid fodder in 2011 and forced Weiner had to resign from Congress. Abedin stood by his side through the scandal, much like Hillary did with Bill Clinton.
The 2000 Camp David summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was “fascinating” to Abedin because she got to speak Arabic, according to Vogue.
Abedin is a practicing Muslim and said her faith helped her get through her husband’s sexting scandal. Her father was born in India and her mother was born in Pakistan. Her father even started a nonprofit, the Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs.
Her parents made sure she was educated on various aspects of her faith. “I’d come home, and my father would say, ‘We’re only doing Urdu or Hindi in the house today,'” she told Vogue.
Abedin doesn’t mind spending her career in Clinton’s shadow. “I feel like, in some small way, I’m helping her help other people,” she told Vogue.
Her single-minded devotion to her job has a down side. “When someone recently asked for a restaurant recommendation near the office, Abedin didn’t know a single eatery in downtown Brooklyn: In a year and a half of working there, she’d never once left the building for lunch,” Heller wrote.
But she declined to speculate about her own future in politics or a possible Hillary Clinton administratio. “I’ve never really thought about my job as one in which eventually I’m trying to be the boss of the organization,” Abedin told Vogue. “I don’t have that need — that ambition, in a way, or that identity crisis.”
She arrived at the White House in “Beltway-basic J.Crew suits” but now prefers high-fashion designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, and Alexander McQueen.
“I have often thought that if I weren’t in politics I would work in fashion,” she told the magazine.
We Need to Talk About Hillary Clinton's Crazy Hot Nephew (Photos)
The Internet is going nuts over Hillary Clinton's hot model nephew, Tyler Clinton.
The 22-year-old stunner -- who is the son of Bill Clinton's half-brother Roger -- stole the show after being spotted by viewers during last week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Since then, steamy photos of Tyler from a modeling shoot with photographer Adina Doria have gone viral.
"The hotness of Hillary Clinton's model nephew may be the only thing both parties can agree on," wrote one Twitter user.
"@HillaryClinton, will your nephew, Tyler Clinton, be coming to Colorado with you on Wednesday? Asking for a friend," wrote another.
Here's what you need to know about the latest Clinton family sensation:
1. He's super comfortable walking around in nothing but blue jeans.
Photo: Adina Doria
2. He knows how to rock a pair of shades.
Photo: Adina Doria
3. Not to mention a hoodie... Â
Photo: Adina Dario
4. He's mastered all kinds of looks, like this one:
Photo: Adina Doria
5. And this one...
Photo: Adina Doria
6. He also knows his way around a rose garden...
Photo: Adina Dario
7. And he's got those piercing blue eyes...
Photo: Adina Dario
In conclusion... While Dems may be #WithHer, the Internet is clearly #WithTyler.
https://twitter.com/mollieonair/status/760169516554784770
https://twitter.com/lbshane/status/760235951238950912
https://twitter.com/corriefaith/status/759880075625934848
How Hillary Did: Democratic Convention Speeches Ranked From Worst to Best (Videos)
With the Democratic Convention already half over, TheWrap is ranking the speeches so far. There are too many people taking the podium for us to include them all, so we're only evaluating the most memorable.
Howard Dean
His delivery Tuesday was stilted and felt off, until his conclusion, a callback to the speech that helped bury his 2004 presidential run. It's cool that he can joke about it, but disappointing he didn't have a better closer.
Bernie Sanders
The former presidential candidate got almost three minutes of cheers before he spoke, but delivered a long speech that didn't say much new. And he took 10 minutes to clarify that yes, he's still endorsing Hillary Clinton. His speech was just OK.
Elizabeth Warren
The Massachusetts senator is one of the Democrats' most energetic advocates for economic justice, but she was relatively low-key Monday. Warren may have been thrown off by people in the crowd who booed or heckled her for getting behind Clinton. But she did land some punches against Trump, her occasional Twitter antagonist.
Madeleine Albright
The first female Secretary of State, one of Clinton's predecessors in the job, made a passionate argument that Donald Trump has hurt U.S. national policy just by running for president.
Tim Kaine
He did a good job doing the attack-dog thing vice presidential candidates are supposed to do, and spoke a little Spanish, calling Clinton "lista" -- ready.
The comedian and former Sanders supporter said something no politician has had the guts to say when she accused the Bernie-or-Bust crowd of acting "ridiculous." Whether or not you agree, give her points for saying what she believes. The onetime Sanders surrogate made a strong case for switching over to "pretty kick-ass woman" Hillary Clinton.
Cory Booker
The New Jersey senator got the audience fired up by quoting Maya Angelou: "You may write me down in history / With your bitter, twisted lies / You may trod me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I'll rise."
Bill Clinton
He's had the same issue with Democratic Convention speeches since his first one in 1988: He goes on too long. But his slow, relaxed style is so much a part of his charm. His encomium to his wife and her great advice was lovely -- we could listen to hours about how they first started dating -- but he could have tightened up his long list of her accomplishments. Key line: "She's the best darn changemaker I've ever met in my entire life."
Joe Biden
He walked out to the theme from "Rocky" -- get it? We're in Philly, and he was born in Pennsylvania? -- and then paid tribute to the Rockys of the world. He said blue-collar people may not be respected in Washington, but celebrated people who get up every morning and "put one foot in front of the other." He also started a new anti-Trump chant: "Not a clue. Not a clue."
Michelle Obama
The first lady set the standard for convention speakers with these words: "I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent, black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn. And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters, and all our sons and daughters, now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States. So, don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't great, that somehow we need to make it great again, because this, right now, is the greatest country on Earth."
Hillary Clinton
She was the first presidential nominee in modern history to dress all in white, but she tried to share the spotlight with everyone she could. President Obama set her up Wednesday by portraying Trump as a man who claimed only he could rule. On Thursday, Clinton praised everyone from 9/11 first responders to Obama to Bernie Sanders. "Love trumps hate," she said, and made the case that as the first female presidential nominee, she isn't just in it for herself: "When any barrier in America falls, it clears the way for everyone. After all, when there are no ceilings, the sky's the limit."
President Barack Obama
We know, he said his wife's speech would be better. And Clinton's did the job. But this was one for history. Rejecting the idea that dark forces are hurting America, he said the values of his ancestors -- hard work, honesty and kindness -- are as strong as they've ever been. He said shortcuts and demagogues will never win, and belittled Trump's proposed border wall. "The American dream is something no wall with ever contain," Obama said.
1 of 14
Clinton, dressed all in white, gives credit to ”people who inspired me“
With the Democratic Convention already half over, TheWrap is ranking the speeches so far. There are too many people taking the podium for us to include them all, so we're only evaluating the most memorable.
22-year-old Tyler Clinton steals the show after being spotted at Democratic National Convention
The Internet is going nuts over Hillary Clinton's hot model nephew, Tyler Clinton.
The 22-year-old stunner -- who is the son of Bill Clinton's half-brother Roger -- stole the show after being spotted by viewers during last week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Since then, steamy photos of Tyler from a modeling shoot with photographer Adina Doria have gone viral.
"The hotness of Hillary Clinton's model nephew may be the only thing both parties can agree on," wrote one Twitter user.
"@HillaryClinton, will your nephew, Tyler Clinton, be coming to Colorado with you on Wednesday? Asking for a friend," wrote another.
Here's what you need to know about the latest Clinton family sensation:
1. He's super comfortable walking around in nothing but blue jeans.
Photo: Adina Doria
2. He knows how to rock a pair of shades.
Photo: Adina Doria
3. Not to mention a hoodie... Â
Photo: Adina Dario
4. He's mastered all kinds of looks, like this one:
Photo: Adina Doria
5. And this one...
Photo: Adina Doria
6. He also knows his way around a rose garden...
Photo: Adina Dario
7. And he's got those piercing blue eyes...
Photo: Adina Dario
In conclusion... While Dems may be #WithHer, the Internet is clearly #WithTyler.
https://twitter.com/mollieonair/status/760169516554784770
https://twitter.com/lbshane/status/760235951238950912
https://twitter.com/corriefaith/status/759880075625934848
How Hillary Did: Democratic Convention Speeches Ranked From Worst to Best (Videos)
With the Democratic Convention already half over, TheWrap is ranking the speeches so far. There are too many people taking the podium for us to include them all, so we're only evaluating the most memorable.
Howard Dean
His delivery Tuesday was stilted and felt off, until his conclusion, a callback to the speech that helped bury his 2004 presidential run. It's cool that he can joke about it, but disappointing he didn't have a better closer.
Bernie Sanders
The former presidential candidate got almost three minutes of cheers before he spoke, but delivered a long speech that didn't say much new. And he took 10 minutes to clarify that yes, he's still endorsing Hillary Clinton. His speech was just OK.
Elizabeth Warren
The Massachusetts senator is one of the Democrats' most energetic advocates for economic justice, but she was relatively low-key Monday. Warren may have been thrown off by people in the crowd who booed or heckled her for getting behind Clinton. But she did land some punches against Trump, her occasional Twitter antagonist.
Madeleine Albright
The first female Secretary of State, one of Clinton's predecessors in the job, made a passionate argument that Donald Trump has hurt U.S. national policy just by running for president.
Tim Kaine
He did a good job doing the attack-dog thing vice presidential candidates are supposed to do, and spoke a little Spanish, calling Clinton "lista" -- ready.
The comedian and former Sanders supporter said something no politician has had the guts to say when she accused the Bernie-or-Bust crowd of acting "ridiculous." Whether or not you agree, give her points for saying what she believes. The onetime Sanders surrogate made a strong case for switching over to "pretty kick-ass woman" Hillary Clinton.
Cory Booker
The New Jersey senator got the audience fired up by quoting Maya Angelou: "You may write me down in history / With your bitter, twisted lies / You may trod me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I'll rise."
Bill Clinton
He's had the same issue with Democratic Convention speeches since his first one in 1988: He goes on too long. But his slow, relaxed style is so much a part of his charm. His encomium to his wife and her great advice was lovely -- we could listen to hours about how they first started dating -- but he could have tightened up his long list of her accomplishments. Key line: "She's the best darn changemaker I've ever met in my entire life."
Joe Biden
He walked out to the theme from "Rocky" -- get it? We're in Philly, and he was born in Pennsylvania? -- and then paid tribute to the Rockys of the world. He said blue-collar people may not be respected in Washington, but celebrated people who get up every morning and "put one foot in front of the other." He also started a new anti-Trump chant: "Not a clue. Not a clue."
Michelle Obama
The first lady set the standard for convention speakers with these words: "I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent, black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn. And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters, and all our sons and daughters, now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States. So, don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't great, that somehow we need to make it great again, because this, right now, is the greatest country on Earth."
Hillary Clinton
She was the first presidential nominee in modern history to dress all in white, but she tried to share the spotlight with everyone she could. President Obama set her up Wednesday by portraying Trump as a man who claimed only he could rule. On Thursday, Clinton praised everyone from 9/11 first responders to Obama to Bernie Sanders. "Love trumps hate," she said, and made the case that as the first female presidential nominee, she isn't just in it for herself: "When any barrier in America falls, it clears the way for everyone. After all, when there are no ceilings, the sky's the limit."
President Barack Obama
We know, he said his wife's speech would be better. And Clinton's did the job. But this was one for history. Rejecting the idea that dark forces are hurting America, he said the values of his ancestors -- hard work, honesty and kindness -- are as strong as they've ever been. He said shortcuts and demagogues will never win, and belittled Trump's proposed border wall. "The American dream is something no wall with ever contain," Obama said.
1 of 14
Clinton, dressed all in white, gives credit to ”people who inspired me“
With the Democratic Convention already half over, TheWrap is ranking the speeches so far. There are too many people taking the podium for us to include them all, so we're only evaluating the most memorable.