Bill and Hillary Clinton celebrate birth of granddaughter

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton say they are "blessed, grateful, and so happy" to become grandparents.

Their daughter, Chelsea, gave birth Friday night to her first child, Charlotte.

Chelsea Clinton announced the news on Twitter and Facebook early Saturday, saying she and husband Marc Mezvinsky are "full of love, awe and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of our daughter, Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky."

The former president and first lady said in the statement on Saturday, "Chelsea is well and glowing. Marc is bursting with pride. Charlotte's life is off to a good start."

The baby was born at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, where the Mezvinskys live. No other details of her birth were released by the family.

The news comes as Hillary Clinton deliberates whether to run for the White House in 2016. She is the leading Democratic contender to succeed President Barack Obama, her 2008 campaign rival, and has said she expects to make a decision around the beginning of next year.

The baby has been eagerly anticipated. Hillary Clinton has called the prospect of becoming a grandmother her "most exciting title yet." She even has picked out the first book she intends to read to her grandchild, the classic "Goodnight Moon."

She has said she didn't want to make any decisions about another campaign until the baby's arrival, pointing to her interest in enjoying becoming a grandmother for the first time.