In 2004, Bill Clinton Addressed The Prospect Of Becoming 'First Gentleman'

Twelve years before Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman to become a major party's presumptive nominee for president, there was already chatter about her making a run for the White House.

It was 2004, and Hillary was both a Democratic senator in New York and the former first lady. But her quest for the Oval Office wasn't on the table at that point, according to her husband. As the former president told Oprah back then, he and Hillary hadn't even discussed if she would run, ever.

"I don't know, except when she told me she absolutely would not run this year," Bill Clinton said on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

The reason Hillary wasn't going to pursue the presidency, Bill added, was because she had other political priorities.

"Keep in mind, the people of New York were very good to her. They gave her a chance to serve as senator -- we'd just moved up there. She told them she'd finish her term, and she was determined to do it," Bill explained. "She just likes being a senator, so I don't know if she'll ever have a chance to run."

Four years later, Hillary went up against Barack Obama in a failed bid for the White House. Now, she stands as the presumptive Democratic nominee opposite the GOP's Donald Trump. Regardless of who her opponent would be, Bill expressed full confidence in Hillary's ability to lead the country.

"If she did run and did win, I think she would be magnificent," he said. "I've never known anybody with any more ability than her."

When Oprah asked if he'd ever thought about what it would be like to be the "first husband," the former president laughed and said he'd be game. 

"I would do whatever the duties require," Bill said. "Whatever was required, I would do!" 

Another "Oprah Show" flashback with the Clintons:

The life advice Hillary thinks about every day, thanks to her mother