As the Secretary of State is expected to soon announce her departure from the Obama administration, she has spoken in a surprisingly candid manner about the importance of her Christian faith on her career in public service.
Hillary Clinton, who was raised in the United Methodist Church, once said her heritage instilled in her the 'obligation' to relieve suffering but now the 65-year-old has gone even further, calling her faith 'fundamental' to her identity.
The personal statement by the former first lady turned senator turned cabinet member comes amid the unending speculation that she has her eye on another bid for the White House in 2016.
Woman of faith: Hillary Clinton (at a St. Louis Baptist church in 2008 during the Democratic presidential primary) has called her Methodist heritage 'fundamental' to her identity
Clinton agreed to be interviewed for a profile of her career and approach to diplomacy for an article in the Washington Post.
Reviewing the major milestones of the past four years serving under President Barack Obama, she reflected on why she was attracted to the pursuit of social justice in her profession.
And when asked to comment on the impact of her faith, she stated, 'It is very much fundamental as to who I am and how I see myself.'
Clinton, an Illinois native, was born into a family that had a long tradition in the church that was established by Charles and John Wesley in England in the 1729.
The Protestant denomination, the second-largest in the U.S. with 12.1 million members, was established with a strong calling toward evangelism and missionary work.
The family: Bill Clinton, a Southern Baptist, wed Hillary Rodham in October 11, 1975. The couple (pictured in September 2011 in New York) decided to raise their daughter Chelsea, left, in the Methodist church
In a 1992 profile, she told the United Methodist News Service that her family history in the church dated 'way back to the days of the camp meetings and the Wesleys.'
She attended the First Methodist Church of Park Ridge, Ill. during her teen years and credited the church's youth minister, the Rev. Donald Jones, to helping her form a passion of social justice.
'As a Christian, part of my obligation is to take action to alleviate suffering,' she had said in the article, written during her husband's first presidential campaign.
Though she married Bill Clinton, a Southern Baptist, in October 11, 1975 she maintained her membership in the Methodist due to the denomination's focus on evangelism, social action and intellect.
'Explicit recognition of that in the Methodist tradition is one reason I’m comfortable in this church,' she said.
Former President Bill Clinton has long embraced his Baptist heritage from his native Arkansas throughout his political career.
During his time as Governor of Arkansas and later as Commander in Chief, he frequently stopped in at churches and seemed right at home behind a pulpit.
But the 66-year-old has reportedly turned to Buddhism recently in an effort to help him alleviate stress - part of his modified routine after he had heart surgery in 2004.
Interfaith: Chelsea Clinton, who was raised in the Methodist church, and Marc Mezvinsky, who is Jewish, were married on July 31, 2010 in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Representatives from both faiths officiated the ceremony
'Meditation offers him that, he has a mantra that he likes to chant and after every session he feels transformed and full of positive energy,' a source told Radar Online.
The Times of India also reported that the Democrat has enlisted the help of a Buddhist monk to guide him through his spiritual journey.
Clinton has also adopted a vegan diet after he had quadruple bypass surgery to unclog four arteries.
'I was lucky I did not die of a heart attack,' he said in 2011 in a CNN interview.
The Clintons' daughter, 32-year-old Chelsea, was raised in the Methodist church.
She wed Marc Mezvinsky, who is Jewish, in July 2010. Rabbi James Ponet and Rev. William Shillady, a Methodist minister, conducted their interfaith marriage ceremony in Rhinebeck, New York.
Bill Clinton has recently said that the couple are eager to start a family.
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