Note: This article includes mentions of suicide.
The affair was front-page news, but Lewinsky’s personal struggles went virtually unnoticed.
However, the intern-turned-activist has bravely shared the tragic details of her story.
Here, we uncover the impact of the scandal on the woman at the center of it all.
I was Patient Zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale almost instantaneously."
Social media could have made things must worse, as Lewinsky admitted toInStylein 2023.
However, having an online community of supporters could have also provided more consistent comfort.
Although social media wasn’t around to help her then, Lewinsky uses it to connect with supporters now.
In particular, mother and daughter reportedly had a very tight bond.
“Monica worships her mother.
The two are incredibly close.
And alike,” a friend of the Lewinsky family told theWashington Post.
“Marcia is Monica squared.”
In anArmchair Expertpodcast episode, Lewinsky explained just how crucial her family’s support was.
“I couldn’t talk to most of my friends until after they had testified.
I don’t think I would have survived without my family,” she said.
Michael is Monica’s only sibling and was born four years after her.
“And he was a sophomore in college.”
Although the two have since reunited, there’s no way to ever get that lost time back.
We can only imagine how heartbreaking this was for Monica to face.
For example, she shared an anecdote from 2015 in herVanity Fairessay.
“Soon I began working with anti-bullying organizations globally.
Lewinskytweetedher displeasure with this slight: “Emily Post would [definitely] not approve.”
That same year,Timeshared a video of Lewinsky at a speaking engagement in Jerusalem.
“I regret the entire relationship and ever having met him,” she said.
This response is no surprise given the painful mental health struggles she experienced when the Clinton scandal unfolded.
So I seriously considered jumping.”
Thankfully, Lewinsky had some positive influences in her life.
Considering how far she has come since 1998, it’s clear Lewinsky took the road less traveled.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Call or text 988 or chat988lifeline.org.
