( CNN ) -- When Rep. Anthony Weiner admitted Monday to sending inappropriate messages and photos `` of an explicit nature '' to women online , his wife of 11 months was not standing at his side . Huma Abedin was with another politician , Secretary of State Hillary Clinton . Abedin , 34 , began working for Clinton as a White House intern in 1996 , eventually becoming the former first lady 's traveling chief of staff -- or `` body man '' -- during her campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination . Her popularity among movers and shakers in the Democratic Party should have been an asset for Weiner 's future . However , now that she is the victim of the congressman 's indiscretion , `` ... the Democrats are furious at this guy , '' Democratic insider James Carville told CNN Monday . `` He is married to one of the most popular people in the Democratic Party . '' Weiner : Liberal firebrand or political opportunist ? Although she is described as a very private person , Abedin 's intelligence , striking style , unusual background and ability `` to make the trains run on time , '' brought her attention well before last summer 's marriage to Weiner . Vogue magazine profiled her in 2007 , an unusual distinction for a campaign aide . `` Huma Abedin has the energy of a woman in her 20s , the confidence of a woman in her 30s , the experience of a woman in her 40s and the grace of a woman in her 50s , '' Clinton told Vogue . `` She is timeless , her combination of poise , kindness and intelligence are matchless , and I am lucky to have had her on my team for a decade now . '' Abedin is the daughter of college professors . Her late father , an Islamic scholar , was from India and her mother , a sociologist , was from Pakistan . She was born in Kalamazoo , Michigan , but the family moved to Saudi Arabia when she was 2 . She moved back to the United States to attend George Washington University . She told Vogue that she decided at 15 that she wanted to be an international journalist , inspired by former CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour . Can Weiner survive scandal ? Abedin 's plans changed when the White House intern program assigned her to the first lady 's office , not the press office as she had requested . She has not been far from Clinton since then , friends say . `` I do n't think you could say they are like mother and daughter , '' actress Mary Steenburgen and longtime friend to the Clintons told Vogue in 2007 . `` It 's more like an older sister-younger sister relationship , but it 's definitely familial . '' She joined Clinton 's State Department staff in 2009 , serving as a senior aide . Her efficiency , language abilities , attention to detail and remarkable ability to pack for long trips -- noted by the Vogue reporter -- make her invaluable to the globe-trotting Clinton . New York voters divided on Weiner 's future . `` Huma does make the trains run on time , '' Clinton lawyer Bob Barnett told Vogue . The Vogue story hinted in 2007 that she dated actor John Cusack and cyclist Lance Armstrong . Abedin was introduced to Weiner during the 2008 campaign . Former President Bill Clinton officiated at their July 2010 wedding . Their marriage drew extra attention because Abedin is Muslim and Weiner is Jewish . Ruben Navarrette : Weiner 's only choice is to resign . Weiner rose through New York City politics as a young man unafraid of a fight and eager for media attention . Abedin , in contrast , is known for her diplomacy and privacy .
Huma ##yun , Muslim , joined Hillary Clinton 's staff 14 years ago . She is a senior advisor to the secretary of state . CNN profiled her in part because of her religion . She 's Muslim and he 's Jewish .