Clintons Now Millionaires, Thanks to First Lady’s Book

WASHINGTON — President Clinton, who hails from a decidedly modest background, last year entered the rarefied realm of the millionaires, according to his 1996 tax return, in which he and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton reported $1,065,101 in adjusted gross income.

But the lion’s share of money came from Mrs. Clinton, who earned $742,852 in royalties from her book, “It Takes a Village.” As president, Clinton was paid $200,000. The couple paid $199,791 in federal taxes, according to tax returns released Monday.

The Clintons also reported $609,300 in charitable contributions, attributable primarily to the proceeds of the first lady’s book.

“As a general principle, Mrs. Clinton will neither benefit or end up in less fortunate circumstances as a result of having written her book,” said Mike McCurry, the White House press secretary.

The Clintons also reported $100,066 in capital gains from a blind trust administered by Boston Harbor Trust Co. In addition, they had $28,606 in interest and $5,141 in dividends last year.

McCurry also suggested that the president--who along with his wife faces more than $2 million in legal bills--might not fully regard himself as a millionaire: “He’s got some bills hanging around that probably would diminish his enthusiasm for that designation.”

Clinton’s income was enhanced by $57 through residuals from a 1992 appearance on the “Arsenio Hall Show.” But the show-biz windfall also triggered a tax liability: $2 to the state of California.

The White House also released the tax returns of Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, showing that they earned $279,285 and paid federal income tax of $80,941 in 1996. They made $35,530 in charitable contributions; $35,000 of the money came from Mrs. Gore’s book, “Picture This,” and was donated to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.