Marianne Williamson poses for a portrait in Los Angeles in January 2019.
In pictures: Presidential candidate Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson poses for a portrait in Los Angeles in January 2019.
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Updated 5:17 PM EST, Sat March 4, 2023

Marianne Williamson, a best-selling author who is perhaps best known for being a spiritual counselor to Oprah Winfrey, formally announced on Saturday, March 4, 2023, that she's running for president again. Her previous bid for the White House, in 2020, was unsuccessful.

Williamson said in a February 2023 statement teasing her announcement that she was motivated to run by "a realization of the Democratic Party's shift away from the party of President Franklin Roosevelt" and "the economic injustices endured by millions of Americans due to the influence of corporate money on our political system."

"The opponent is not a specific situation or circumstance," Williamson said at her campaign launch. "The opponent is an economic mindset that has had its grip on this country for the last 50 years."

Williamson, a native of Houston, attended Pomona College in California after graduating from high school. "In my mid-20s I began reading a set of books called 'A Course in Miracles,' " she says on her campaign website. "The 'Course' is not a religion, but rather a self-study program of spiritual psychotherapy based on universal spiritual themes. There is no dogma or doctrine; it is simply a book on how to forgive. I had no idea at the time that my study of the 'Course,' plus writing and speaking about it, would turn into a 35-year career."
Williamson, a native of Houston, attended Pomona College in California after graduating from high school. "In my mid-20s I began reading a set of books called 'A Course in Miracles,' " she says on her campaign website. "The 'Course' is not a religion, but rather a self-study program of spiritual psychotherapy based on universal spiritual themes. There is no dogma or doctrine; it is simply a book on how to forgive. I had no idea at the time that my study of the 'Course,' plus writing and speaking about it, would turn into a 35-year career."
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Williamson and actress Judith Light attend an AIDS charity party in Los Angeles in 1991.
Williamson and actress Judith Light attend an AIDS charity party in Los Angeles in 1991.
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Williamson appears with talk-show host Sally Jessy Raphael at a taping in 1993. Williamson's first book, "A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles," became a New York Times best-seller in 1992.
Williamson appears with talk-show host Sally Jessy Raphael at a taping in 1993. Williamson's first book, "A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles," became a New York Times best-seller in 1992.
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Williamson shakes hands at a book signing in 2002. She has written several best-selling books in her career.
Williamson shakes hands at a book signing in 2002. She has written several best-selling books in her career.
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Williamson, third from right, joins media mogul Oprah Winfrey and other Winfrey friends for the launch of Winfrey's XM Radio station in 2006.
Williamson, third from right, joins media mogul Oprah Winfrey and other Winfrey friends for the launch of Winfrey's XM Radio station in 2006.
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In 2007, Williamson speaks at a news conference in Washington to reintroduce a bill called the Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act.
In 2007, Williamson speaks at a news conference in Washington to reintroduce a bill called the Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act.
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Williamson speaks to supporters in 2013 as she ran for a congressional seat in California. She finished fourth in the Democratic primary.
Williamson speaks to supporters in 2013 as she ran for a congressional seat in California. She finished fourth in the Democratic primary.
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Williamson and her daughter, India, in 2014.
Williamson and her daughter, India, in 2014.
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Williamson is joined by, from left, Katy Perry, Hayden Slater, Nicole Richie and Rivka Sophia Rossi during a campaign event in April 2014.
Williamson is joined by, from left, Katy Perry, Hayden Slater, Nicole Richie and Rivka Sophia Rossi during a campaign event in April 2014.
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Williamson leads a "love mob" campaign rally in May 2014.
Williamson leads a "love mob" campaign rally in May 2014.
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Williamson speaks at her election-day rally in Santa Monica, California, in June 2014.
Williamson speaks at her election-day rally in Santa Monica, California, in June 2014.
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Williamson attends an awards show in 2015 for Project Angel Food, a nonprofit she founded that serves home-bound people with AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.
Williamson attends an awards show in 2015 for Project Angel Food, a nonprofit she founded that serves home-bound people with AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.
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Williamson cuts a cake to commemorate Project Angel Food's 10-millionth meal in 2016.
Williamson cuts a cake to commemorate Project Angel Food's 10-millionth meal in 2016.
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Williamson announces her presidential campaign in January 2019.
Williamson announces her presidential campaign in January 2019.
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Williamson greets supporters after announcing her presidential bid.
Williamson greets supporters after announcing her presidential bid.
Patrick Fallon/Zuma
Williamson speaks at a campaign stop in Keene, New Hampshire, in March 2019.
Williamson speaks at a campaign stop in Keene, New Hampshire, in March 2019.
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Williamson takes questions from potential voters during a CNN town hall in April 2019.
Williamson takes questions from potential voters during a CNN town hall in April 2019.
Edward M. Pio Roda/CNN
Williamson makes a point during the first Democratic debates in June 2019.
Williamson makes a point during the first Democratic debates in June 2019.
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Williamson addresses people at the Iowa State Fair in August 2019.
Williamson addresses people at the Iowa State Fair in August 2019.
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Williamson, left, holds hands with supporters in a moment of meditation in Iowa City in January 2020. She dropped out of the presidential race later that month.
Williamson, left, holds hands with supporters in a moment of meditation in Iowa City in January 2020. She dropped out of the presidential race later that month.
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen/AP
Williamson leaves the stage after endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders during a campaign rally in Austin, Texas, in February 2020.
Williamson leaves the stage after endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders during a campaign rally in Austin, Texas, in February 2020.
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Williamson announces her bid for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2023.
Williamson announces her bid for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2023.
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