Monica Lewinsky Says Ken Starr's Death Brings Up 'Complicated Feelings'

Mar. 15, 2025

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Monica Lewinskyis speaking out following the death ofKen Starr.

The former U.S. solicitor general, who spearheaded the impeachment investigation into former PresidentBill Clinton, died Tuesday ofcomplications from surgeryat the age of 76.

“As i’m sure many can understand, my thoughts about ken starr bring up complicated feelings…,” Lewinsky, 49, wrote onTwitter. “But of more importance, is that i imagine it’s a painful loss for those who love him.”

In response, Philippe Reines — a former longtime senior advisor toHillary Clinton—tweeted, “Would love to see the first draft.” Lewinskywrote back, “This actually was -essentially—the first draft (i futzed w/ order a wee bit)… but therapy next week will be… interesting.”

In an essay Lewinsky wrote forVanity Fairin 2018, shedescribed the time she crossed pathswith Starr for the first time almost 20 years since the investigation.

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During their chance encounter at a New York City restaurant, Lewinsky took the opportunity to speak her truth.

“I finally gathered my wits about me — after an internal command ofGet it together,” she explained inVanity Fair. " ‘Though I wish I had made different choices back then,’ I stammered, ‘I wish that you and your office had made different choices, too.’ In hindsight, I later realized, I was paving the way for him to apologize. But he didn’t. He merely said, with the same inscrutable smile, ‘I know. It was unfortunate.’ "

Starr died of complications from surgery at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, Texas, according to astatementfrom his family.

“We are deeply saddened with the loss of our dear and loving Father and Grandfather, whom we admired for his prodigious work ethic, but who always put his family first,” Starr’s son, Randall, said in the statement on behalf of him and his sisters, Carolyn S. Doolittle and Cynthia S. Roemer.

REX/Shutterstock.

“The love, energy, endearing sense of humor, and fun-loving interest Dad exhibited to each of us was truly special, and we cherish the many wonderful memories we were able to experience with him,” the statement continued.

Starr also served as a member of former PresidentDonald Trump’slegal defense teamduring his Senate impeachment trial in 2020.

He was also the president of Pepperdine University from 2004 to 2010 and later became the 14th president of Baylor University from 2010 to 2016.

source: people.com