Former President Bill Clinton Cheers on Daughter Chelsea at NYC Marathon With Bandaged Nose

Bill Clinton made a rare public appearance on Sunday at the New York City Marathon, where he was seen greeting his daughter Chelsea at the finish line but it wasn’t just the family reunion that caught attention. The 79-year-old former president had a noticeable bandage covering the tip of his nose, reigniting questions about his ongoing health issues.

Clinton, joined by wife Hillary, was photographed in two separate shots with the bandage clearly visible while embracing Chelsea, 45, after her race. No official explanation has been given for the bandage, but for those who’ve followed Clinton’s long medical history, it’s yet another moment in a string of concerning public appearances.

A look at Clinton’s two-decade health saga:

• In 2004, Clinton narrowly avoided a major heart attack and underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery after nearly 100% arterial blockage was discovered.

• Just a year later, in 2005, he suffered a collapsed lung, adding to an already fragile medical profile.

• In 2021, he was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection that became a bloodstream infection, requiring several days of treatment.

• After contracting COVID-19 in 2022, despite claims of a “mild case,” his past heart complications raised serious concerns.

• Most recently, in August 2025, he was spotted at an airport while aides carried what appeared to be a portable defibrillator yet another public clue that his health may be more fragile than acknowledged.

Despite these mounting issues, Clinton was reported to be in good spirits as he greeted his daughter. But the images a former president of the United States with a bandaged nose, looking noticeably frail only serve to amplify the ongoing conversation about the Clintons’ physical and political future.

Hillary Clinton, now 78, has remained politically active behind the scenes, sparking speculation about her influence in the Democratic Party’s future leadership decisions. But it’s impossible to ignore the physical toll that decades of public life have taken on both Clintons. As Democrats look toward 2026 and beyond, the question remains: are they really ready to turn the page, or are they still clinging to the past?

Either way, Sunday’s photo op reminds Americans that the Clintons aren’t fading quietly even as age and health concerns loom large.

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