WASHINGTON 鈥� Jill Biden offers comforting advice to Kelly Clarkson, telling the singer and talk-show host as she goes through a divorce that things happen for the best and that life will eventually 鈥渓ook better.鈥�
The first lady 鈥� a divorcee herself 鈥� also reveals one thing she looks forward to when COVID-19 clears up and explains why women should take some time for themselves every day as she does. She spoke during an interview with Clarkson that is set to air nationally on Thursday.
Clarkson recently brought her show to the White House for a socially distant conversation with Jill Biden in the East Room. NBC released interview excerpts Wednesday, including a clip of Jill Biden offering comforting words about carrying on after a relationship breakup.
Citing her late mother's advice, she tells Clarkson things happen for a reason. She also says her divorce freed her to meet Joe Biden and have a family with him.
鈥淢y mother always said to me things are going to look better, tomorrow,鈥� Jill Biden said, encouraging Clarkson to 鈥渢ake one day at a time, and things will get better.鈥�
'I look back on it now, and I think, you know, if I hadn鈥檛 gotten divorced, I never would have met Joe," she continued. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 have the beautiful family I have now. So I really think things happen for the best and I think, Kelly, over time, I don鈥檛 know how long it鈥檚 been for you, but I think, over time, you heal, and you鈥檙e going to be surprised and I can鈥檛 wait until that day comes for you.鈥�
Clarkson has spoken in other interviews about the pain of her public breakup. She filed for divorce last year from Brandon Blackstock after nearly seven years of marriage. They have two children.
After marrying Joe Biden, Jill Biden helped raise his sons Beau and Hunter after their mother and baby sister died in a car crash in 1972. The couple later had a daughter, Ashley. Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46. The 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 the country. She also answered questions from members of the show's live, virtual audience.
鈥淢aybe go have a martini and some french fries,鈥� she replied to one audience participant who asked about the one thing she would do when COVID-19 clears up.
She also explained why she makes sure to exercise and take time out for herself.
鈥淚 love to exercise. I run, I bike. It clears my head, so that鈥檚 really important to me and I think all women should have something, it doesn鈥檛 have to be exercise, although hopefully it would be," she said. 鈥淛ust to take a moment for yourself.鈥�
鈥淪o I get up early, and that鈥檚 my time that I have for myself," Biden said.
Darlene Superville, The Associated Press
