Monica Lewinsky’s Young Years: Photos From Her White House Intern Days to Now

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September 18, 2023 1:58PM EDT

monica lewinsky

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Monica Lewinsky, born July 23, 1973, burst into the pop culture zeitgeist as a White House intern for former President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. The president admitted to having an affair with Monica, then in her early 20s, during her time in the White House between 1995 and 1996, ultimately leading to his impeachment, among other repercussions, and one of the biggest political scandals of the time.

The former White House intern became an overnight figure following the entire ordeal. After decades of being shamed and used as a punchline in popular culture, Monica has parlayed her reputation into a formidable career, including becoming an advocate against anti-bullying and sexual harassment. Amid the re-emergence of the #MeToo movement within the last few years, too, public perception of how Monica had been portrayed in the past has significantly shifted.

The advocate and TV personality has been reclaiming her narrative ever since, and even produced an installment of Ryan Murphy’s ‘American Crime Story’ centered on Bill’s impeachment. Swipe for photos of the former White House intern and advocate during her younger years, ones that would shape the inspirational woman she is today, to now.

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Monica Lewinsky in the 90s

Monica Lewinsky in the 90s — Monica Lewinsky is pictured at Harrods in London for her book signing in the 90s.

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Monica Lewinsky Prepares To Testify About Her Affair With Bill Clinton

Monica Lewinsky Prepares To Testify About Her Affair With Bill Clinton — Monica Lewinsky arrives at a U.S. federal court in Washington on August 20, 1998 to testify about her affair with then-President Bill Clinton. There was a media frenzy.

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Monica Lewinsky Dines Out Amid Affair Reports

Monica Lewinsky Dines Out Amid Affair Reports — Monica Lewinsky and her attorney William Ginsburg leave a restaurant in Washington on a Saturday night following reports of her affair with then-President Bill Clinton. She wore a blue suit.

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Monica Lewinsky Attends A Book Signing

Monica Lewinsky Attends A Book Signing — Telling her story. Monica Lewinsky attends a book signing at Waterstones in Oxford, Britain in 1999.

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Monica Lewinsky Attends A Book Tour

Monica Lewinsky Attends A Book Tour — Monica Lewinsky attends a book tour for journalist Andrew Morton’s biography about her story ‘Monica’s Story’ at a Paris department store. She wore teal and pearls.

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Monica Lewinsky At A Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Monica Lewinsky At A Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Monica Lewinsky attends a Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 73rd Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 25, 2001. Her black dress was classic.

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Monica Lewinsky Attends A Screening

Monica Lewinsky Attends A Screening — Monica Lewinsky arrives for a special screening of ‘The Score’ in New York. She had on a sheer shirt and styled her hair in curls.

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Monica Lewinsky Attends A ‘GQ’ Award Event

Monica Lewinsky Attends A ‘GQ’ Award Event — Monica Lewinsky arrives at GQ’s Men of the Year Awards in New York on October 16, 2002. Her gown was so glam.

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Monica Lewinsky Poses For A Photo

Monica Lewinsky Poses For A Photo — Monica Lewinsky poses for a photograph in New York on June 23, 2004. She wore a leopard coat.

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Monica Lewinsky Poses For A Photo

Monica Lewinsky Poses For A Photo — Monica Lewinsky poses for a photograph in New York on June 23, 2004. Her hair was big, as was her smile.

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Monica Lewinsky Attends A Party In London

Monica Lewinsky Attends A Party In London — Monica Lewinsky stuns in a little black dress at the Masterpiece Marie Curie Party in London. So chic!

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Monica Lewinsky At The 2015 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

Monica Lewinsky At The 2015 Vanity Fair Oscars Party — Monica Lewinsky attends the Vanity Fair Oscars party in Los Angeles on February 22, 2015 following the 87th Academy Awards. Red really is her color!

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Monica Lewinsky At The 2015 Tony Awards

Monica Lewinsky At The 2015 Tony Awards — Monica Lewinsky arrives at the 69th Annual Tony Awards in New York on June 7, 2015. The off-the-shoulder lace look made her look like a princess.

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Monica Lewinsky Attends An Exhibit In London

Monica Lewinsky Attends An Exhibit In London — Monica Lewinsky attends an exhibition to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Opera Gallery in London on July 1, 2015. Her plaid pants looked adorbale

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Monica Lewinsky At The 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Monica Lewinsky At The 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Monica Lewinsky arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California following the 88th Annual Academy Awards on February 28, 2016. Classic.

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Monica Lewinsky In 2016

Monica Lewinsky In 2016 — Monica Lewinsky attends an event thrown by The Hoping Foundation in London on June 16, 2016. She wore green leather.

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Monica Lewinsky At The 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Monica Lewinsky At The 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Monica Lewinsky arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles on February 26, 2017. Glitter, mesh, and tulle made her look so fun.

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Monica Lewinsky At The 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Monica Lewinsky At The 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Monica Lewinsky dazzles in blue at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles on March 4, 2018. Her silky one-shouldered gown was divine.

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Monica Lewinsky Attends A Women In Entertainment Event

Monica Lewinsky Attends A Women In Entertainment Event — Monica Lewinsky attends The Hollywood Reporter’s 2018 Women in Entertainment event in Los Angeles on December 5, 2018. She looked sharp in a grey cashmere sweater and red jacket.

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Monica Lewinsky Speaks At A Women In Entertainment Event

Monica Lewinsky Speaks At A Women In Entertainment Event — Stage presence! Monica Lewinsky speaks at The Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100 Women in Entertainment event in Los Angeles on December 5, 2018.

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Monica Lewinsky At The 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Monica Lewinsky At The 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Monica Lewinsky arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles on February 9, 2020. The glittering black dress was so glam with her big hair.

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Monica Lewinsky & Beanie Feldstein At The Finale Screening Of ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’

Monica Lewinsky & Beanie Feldstein At The Finale Screening Of ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ — Monica Lewinsky hugs Beanie Feldstein during a screening of the final episode of FX’s ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’. Beanie, who played Monica in the limited series, wore a white dress with blue flowers as a nod to That dress.

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Monica Lewinsky At The 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Monica Lewinsky At The 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Monica Lewinsky is stunning in a red, longsleeved dress with a high-neck and cleavage cutout during the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Mar. 27. She had her hair back in a toussled style.

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Monica Lewinsky In 2022

Monica Lewinsky In 2022 — Monica Lewinsky looks so cute in red slacks and a blue and black sweater during an FYC event for FX’s ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ on Jun. 10, 2022. Leopard print heels completed the look.

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Monica Lewinsky at Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2023

Monica Lewinsky at Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2023 — Monica Lewinsky looked stunning in this black & white lace dress at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles on March 12, 2023.

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