“She was the first serious woman candidate for president. We do owe her a debt of gratitude,” Fiorina told NBC’s Chuck Todd, acknowledging when asked whether she’d be taken seriously as a candidate without Clinton’s 2008 presidential run, “perhaps not.”

The former HP CEO has fashioned herself one of Clinton’s most aggressive antagonists in the Republican presidential field, but she once said she had “great admiration and empathy” for the Democratic presidential frontrunner — and she said in the interview she still feels that way.

“In many ways I do [have great admiration and respect for Clinton]. She’s a hardworking woman. She’s an intelligent woman. She has dedicated herself to public service,” Fiorina said.