Why the US needs a woman president: Hillary Clinton's daughter

NEW YORK - Chelsea Clinton's star is rising. Photographed, interviewed and increasingly prominent in her family's charitable empire, there is no more ardent cheerleader for her mother's bid for the presidency.

Photographed in a Gucci dress and Cartier bracelet, the 35-year-old philanthropist, wife and new mother appeared on the front cover of Elle with an impassioned plea for a female leader.

"When you ask about the importance of having a woman president, absolutely it's important," she told the magazine.

"One of our core values in this country is that we are the land of equal opportunity, but when equal hasn't yet included gender, there is a fundamental challenge there that, I believe, having our first woman president - whenever that is - will help resolve."

Although it is early days, Ms Clinton has already been more visible than during her mother Hillary Clinton's failed bid for the White House in 2008, when she shied away from speaking to the press.

Based on interviews with friends and associates of the Clintons, Politico reported that the younger Ms Clinton could become a major figure in the campaign and possibly the White House.

Ms Meena Bose, professor of political science at Hofstra University, said: "I think she will play a more active role in 2016 than she did in 2008 but again, I think it will be on her own terms."

Mr Robert Shapiro, former chair of political science at Columbia University, said Ms Clinton's appeal to younger voters and women tapped into her mother's emphasis of women and families: "Now with Chelsea having a baby, and (Mrs Clinton) her first granddaughter, there is that angle that can be pursued."

Separately, in response to Mrs Clinton launching her presidential campaign, the Clinton Foundation announced it would continue taking contributions from six foreign governments, including Britain and Australia, while barring donations from all others.

It also said it would begin disclosing all donations more frequently.