Hillary Clinton hits the paid speeches circuit - former Secretary of State to do pro-bono work for charities

Could speakers fees and proceeds from a new memoir bolster a campaign kitty?

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers | Published Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 7:27 AM | Updated Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 10:15 AM

Jubilant conservatives might want to temper their excitement; Politico is reporting that Hillary Clinton plans to give a series of lucrative paid speeches this year.

Clinton, who just retired as U.S. Secretary of State, is reportedly joining the Harry Walker Agency and is expected to earn fees in the six-figure range, which observers say could later be put to many uses.

Clinton will reportedly speak for no fee on behalf of causes she supports, and she is expected to donate some of her earnings to charity.

'We are proud to share the exciting news that Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has joined the Harry Walker Agency exclusively for her speaking engagements,' the agency announced on Monday.

Former President Bill Clinton, also represented by Harry Walker Agency, has enjoyed a lucrative career on the speaking circuit since leaving the White House in 2001. In 2011 he earned $13.4 million from speaking fees, which places his total speaking earnings at $89 million over 10 years.

Hillary Clinton is expected to join the paid speaking circuit in April or May and the latest move fires speculation that she will run for president in 2016.

Clinton insists she's taking a break from politics after a groundbreaking four years at the State Department.

In addition to her lucrative new speaking gig, she has also announced plans to write another memoir, focusing on her time as secretary of state, which is certain to become a bestseller, bolstering her bank balance and possibly her campaign kitty observers say.