Hillary Claims Shes Dead Broke, Demands Taxpayers Pay For Her... Hillary Clinton has long received criticism for the outrageously high speaking rates she demands for giving speeches at events. Now, the former First Lady is defending her fees, claiming that when she left the White House in 2001, she was dead broke. Hillary made the claim in an interview with ABCs Diane Sawyer. She claimed that she and Bill were both dead broke when they left the White House and did not have the money the needed to pay for their houses or Chelseas education. So how exactly does Hillary define dead broke? Well considering she makes about $200,000 per speech that she gives, were guessing that claim in relative. We came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt, Clinton told Sawyer, We had no money when we got there, and we struggled to, you know, piece together the resources for mortgages, for houses, for Chelseas education. You know, it was not easy. What do you think? Were the Clintons ever truly broke? 