WASHINGTON (AP) – Jill Biden offers comforting advice to Kelly Clarkson, telling the singer and talk show host that she is getting divorced that things happen for the best and that life will end up “looking better”.
The first lady – herself a divorcee – also reveals what she expects when COVID-19 clarifies and explains why women should set aside time for themselves every day, as she does. She spoke during an interview with Clarkson that will air nationally on Thursday.
Clarkson recently brought his show to the White House for a socially distant conversation with Biden in the East Room. NBC released excerpts from interviews on Wednesday, including a clip of the first lady offering reassuring words about how to continue after a relationship ends.
Quoting her late mother’s advice, she tells Clarkson that things happen for a reason. She also says that her divorce freed her to meet Joe Biden and have a family with him.
“My mom always told me that things are going to get better tomorrow,” said Jill Biden, encouraging Clarkson to “take it one day at a time and things will get better.”
“I look back now and think, you know, if I hadn’t been divorced, I never would have met Joe,” she continued. “I wouldn’t have the beautiful family I have now. So I really think things happen for the best and I think, Kelly, over time, I don’t know how long it’s been for you, but I think over time, you heal, and you’re going to be surprised and i can’t wait until that day comes for you. “
Clarkson spoke in other interviews about the pain of his public separation. She filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock last year, after almost seven years of marriage. They have two children.
After marrying Joe Biden, Jill Biden helped raise her children Beau and Hunter after their mother and baby sister died in a car accident in 1972. The couple later had a daughter, Ashley. Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015, aged 46. Bidens also have six grandchildren.
During her first solo television interview, Jill Biden also discussed her interest in education, military families, cancer research and healing in the country. She also answered questions from members of the program’s virtual audience.
“Maybe I’ll have a martini and some chips,” she told an audience member who asked what she would do when COVID-19 cleaned up.
She explained why she loves to exercise and make time for herself.
“I run, I ride a bike. It clears my head, so this is very important to me and I think that all women should have something, it doesn’t have to be exercise, although I expected it to be, ”she said. “Just to have a moment for you.”
“So I wake up early and this is my time for me,” said Biden.
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