WASHINGTON, DC (AFP) — Hillary Clinton for president in 2016? Husband Bill yesterday refused to rule out such a run.

The 64-year-old was defeated for the Democratic nomination by Barack Obama in 2008 and has since said repeatedly she will not again seek to be America's first female president.

But Bill Clinton, interviewed by broadcaster CBS and asked point blank whether his wife might run in four years' time if Obama is re-elected in November, hinted it was a possibility.

"I have no earthly idea what she will decide to do," Clinton said.

He said his wife is tired after all her hectic years of public service — eight as first lady when he was president from 1993 to 2001, then eight more as a senator representing the state of New York, and now as secretary of state.

"She wants to take some time off, kind of regroup, write a book," the former president said.

"I think we ought to give her a chance to organize her life and decide what she wants to do," he added.