CREDIT: Mikael Kjellstrom, Canwest News Service; The Calgary Herald Posted on 06/12/2003 9:40:16 PM PDT by Mister Magoo
Rumours abound as Clinton 'befriends' billionaire socialite
Former U.S. president seen frequently with Magna CEO
Robert Fife CanWest News Service
Thursday, June 12, 2003
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton met Belinda Stronach at a charity event at Magna's private Ontario golf course.
Magna CEO Belinda Stronach is reportedly charmed by Bill Clinton's intelligence and knowledge of world affairs.
OTTAWA - Belinda Stronach, the billionaire chief executive of Magna International, has developed a close personal and business relationship with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, but friends of the auto giant executive insist they are not "romantically linked."
Stronach, who recently announced plans to divorce Olympic speed-skating champion Johann Olav Koss, struck up her friendship with Clinton after he attended a charity event at Magna's private golf course in Aurora, Ont., two years ago.
Since then, Stronach, 36, and Clinton, 57, have been spotted together on at least three other occasions, including a private dinner last July when he was in Toronto to honour rock and roll legend Ronnie Hawkins. Over the past six months, the two have dined together at the Democratic governors' conference in Baltimore as well as a Democratic fund raiser in California.
It has fuelled speculation in Toronto's business and political establishment and in the U.S. media, including the New York Daily News and Chicago Sun Times, that there may be more to the relationship than meets the eye.
However, friends say they are simply good friends, although the wealthy socialite has admitted to being attracted to Clinton.
Stronach split four months ago from Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist for Norway who is working toward his MBA at the University of Toronto. It was Stronach's second marriage. She has two children from the first marriage.
Stronach is reportedly intrigued by the former president's charisma and brain-power, particularly his knowledge of world events.
Magna spokesman Jim Warren characterized Stronach's friendship with Clinton as a "business relationship." Clinton's office in New York requested that any questions about the relationship be submitted in writing.
Rumours of a more serious relationship are not surprising given Clinton's checkered love life and reputation as a womanizer. Hilary Clinton acknowledges Clinton's unfaithfulness in her new book, describing how angry she was at discovering he had a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Stronach is one of the beneficiaries of the Stronach Trust, which controls Magna, the biggest independent auto-parts maker in Canada and a major international player. The company has annual sales of more than $13 billion US.
Clinton is also friends with Frank Stronach, the father of Belinda who is founder and controlling shareholder of Magna. He is reported to have expressed an interest in contributing to Clinton's presidential library in Little Rock, Arkansas.
© Copyright 2003 Vancouver Sun
Daschle's more her height. I hear she throws a sinker when tossing lamps so Daschle better be quick on his feet.
Somehow, that sounds like a Clinton.
More like a Ted Bundy just after his escape from jail in Utah. A rape spree.
Also at the Preakness:
http://www.thehill.com/shadow/052003.aspx
HORSING AROUND
Heads turned in the Jockey Club at Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore Saturday when Bill Clinton arrived with new track owners Frank Stronach and his sharp and sexy daughter, Belinda, to watch New York-bred Funny Cide win the second leg of the Triple Crown in the Preakness Stakes.
Clinton seen with new blonde (10-18-02)
Mark Coleman In New York
BILL Clinton’s chequered love life became the source of fresh speculation yesterday after he was spotted with yet another blonde.
The former US president is reported to have shared an intimate dinner with Belinda Stronach, a married business woman.
According to reports, Mr Clinton, 56, wined and dined Ms Stronach, 35, the head of an international car parts company, in Toronto.
The pair have apparently struck up a cosy friendship and were caught embracing at the end of the evening.
"Clinton gave her a peck on the cheek before she got into her car," the New York Post reported. Another tabloid, the Daily News, pronounced that the two "had dinner and were seen embracing before they parted".
The papers said that the couple appeared to be fairly close, exchanging fond glances as they walked around the city.
Mr Clinton, who was in Toronto for a party honouring the musician Ronnie Hawkins, who has been diagnosed with cancer, twitched awkwardly with his mobile phone after realising that he and Ms Stronach, who was wearing a black dress and diamond necklace, were being followed by photographers.
The revelations are bound to renew consternation between Mr Clinton and his wife Hillary, to whom he has been married for 26 years.
Four months ago Mr Clinton was linked with another blonde socialite, Lisa Belzberg, 38, who is also a Canadian.
In February, Ms Stonach became the chief executive of Canada-based Magna International, a car parts company founded by her father.
In 1999 she married a former Olympic speed-skating champion, Johann Olav Koss, who is her second husband.
"She holds the bizarre distinction of taking over the top job from her ex-husband, who now heads one of the $10.5 billion company’s largest subsidiaries," reported Fortune magazine this year.
She should have one of those portable oxygen tanks around whenever Bill's in the room.
ChiComs, Canadian socialists, what's the difference. As long as its illegal, count on The Toon and the neo-coms to be there.
yitbos
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