Visitors to Marrakech’s Jemma El Fna may have been surprised to see former US President Bill Clinton and power partner, Hilary Clinton, this past weekend touring the square. The famous couple was spotted on September 21, 2019, posing for pictures with snake charmers, talking to artisans, and exploring Marrakech’s souks. The 42nd US president and Mrs. Clinton, who ran for presidential office in 2016, flew into Morocco to attend the 60th birthday party of Marc Lasry. The Moroccan American billionaire is originally from Marrakech. In spite of immigrating to the United States from the young age of seven and becoming extremely successful as the CEO of Avenue Capital Group, a pension hedge fund, and co-owning the Michigan Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, Mr. Lasry never forgot his roots. He invited the world’s top stars to his Moroccan wedding in 2017, which the Clintons also attended, and is currently hosting a birthday extravaganza at La Mamounia Hotel.
The world-class luxury La Mamounia Hotel has historically hosted names like Winston Churchill, who visited so often the hotel named their bar after him. Alfred Hitchcock was also inspired by the regal setting and he wrote to script to The Birds from La Mamounia Hotel.
For his birthday celebration, Mr. Lasry invited more than 300 of the world’s leading figures in finance and politics. The Clintons, friends of both Lasry and the Morocco Kingdom, were an obvious choice for the invitation list. They have positive ties with the Kingdom. Mr. and Mrs. Clinton, alongside their daughter Chelsea, attended King Hassan II’s funeral in Rabat in July 2015. At the event, Mr. Clinton gave a speech to address staff and families at the U-S Embassy in the Moroccan capital. He also spoke highly of the late king’s positive impact on the Middle East; he brought more stability. He also expressed confidence in King Mohammed VI’s abilities to take the throne.