Hunter Biden Details Crack Use, Alcohol Addiction in Rare Interview

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Hunter Biden isn’t hiding from his mistakes. 

Approximately half a year following the presidential pardon issued by Joe Biden for his son’s federal tax evasion and gun-related offenses, the 55-year-old man opened up about his past battles with alcoholism and substance abuse.

As a lifestyle expert, I can personally attest that I haven’t encountered anyone untouched by the profound impact of drugs and alcohol. This is a widespread issue that, despite its ubiquity, seldom receives open dialogue – a fact I discussed with Channel 5‘s creator, Andrew Callaghan, in our recent interview on July 21st.

Hunter Biden, who is the father of Naomi Biden (31), Finnegan Biden (23), Maisy Biden (22), Navy Roberts (6), and Beau Biden Jr. (5), acknowledged that battling alcohol was equally challenging for him as overcoming his cocaine addiction.

Hunter stated, “I consumed a considerable amount of alcohol daily, almost an entire handle of vodka. Alcohol, more destructive than any other drug I’ve encountered, not only harms your body but also exposes you to greater danger than any other substance I’ve known. Moreover, the crack cocaine I was using at the time poses less physical health risks compared to the precarious situations you find yourself in just to acquire it.

Though Hunter has been sober since 2019, he mentioned that he’s continuing on his path of recovery. He also expressed, “I’m still dealing with the consequences that come with some past actions, and I’m working towards making amends for personal issues I feel require it.

In the past few years, the national spotlight on my personal struggles with drugs has been a tough ride, but it’s become my driving force to maintain sobriety. I’ve learned that transparency about my journey can help others who may be going through similar trials, and this realization has kept me clean for good.

In his 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things, Hunter elucidated that when one achieves sobriety, they often cling onto secrets. This guilt can accumulate and leaves an individual feeling exposed, as if they’re on the verge of being discovered. This fear can be alleviated in a room full of strangers online, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the uncomfortable sensation. Then, a trigger can occur, causing the brain to suggest the only solution it knows—drinking or using drugs—as a desperate attempt to protect oneself. As a result, they find themselves stuck in this vicious cycle.

Indeed, Hunter noted his public controversies somewhat saved him from that cycle. 

He mentioned that their kindness to him has left no more hidden matters in his life. While not all gossip about him is accurate, he’s been quite transparent about the aspects that most would find deeply embarrassing.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but share my awe as he openly discusses his rocky past, yet gleams with pride when talking about his journey towards sobriety. To me, it’s an achievement I am immensely proud of him for!

For a deeper look into the Biden family, keep reading…

At age 30, Joe Biden tragically lost his first wife Neilia Hunter Biden and their 13-month-old daughter Naomi in a car accident in 1972. As a newly elected senator, he prioritized raising his sons Beau Biden and Hunter Biden, temporarily setting aside romantic relationships.

Frank Biden had given him Jill Jacobs’ phone number a few years back, which was when he first came across her number and she wasn’t on the stove before that.

In his 2007 memoir, “Promises to Keep“, Joe expressed that finding love once more with the future first lady, had essentially restored his life. He began to harbor hope that his family could potentially be reunited.

Joe and Jill married on June 17, 1977.

Frequently, the president often remembers his late son, Beau Biden III, who served as an Army major and was Delaware’s two-term attorney general. Tragically, he passed away due to glioblastoma in 2015 at the young age of 46.

Joe shared with the New York Times, upon publishing his 2017 memoir “Promise Me, Dad”, that Beau strictly adhered to a personal code of honor. While it might seem odd, this was indeed the case. His dad often said, ‘Never explain and never complain.’ Remarkably, not a single complaint ever escaped Beau’s lips. Not even once.

In one of the last nights of Beau’s life, as Joe put it, his son confronted his own mortality. Witnessing the loss of his mother and sister, he didn’t want me to retreat emotionally. He didn’t want me to abandon the vibrancy of living.

During his heartfelt tribute for his sibling, Hunter shared his earliest recollection of Beau. This memory took shape in 1972, when they found themselves lying beside each other in the hospital, following a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of their mother and sister.

The day prior to his inauguration in January 2020, at a National Guard/Army Reserve facility named after his son, Joe expressed his heartfelt pride in hailing from the state of Delaware.

He expressed additional pride, given the location at the Major Beau Biden facility, and went on to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, my sole regret is that he isn’t here. If circumstances were different, we would have the honor of presenting him as our president.

In the year 2002, Beau tied the knot with Hallie Biden (formerly known as Olivere). They were blessed with a daughter named Natalie Naomi Biden in 2004, and their son Robert Hunter Biden II joined the family in 2006.

Ultimately, I chose not to pursue a presidential run in 2016 following the heartbreaking loss of my son Beau. However, before I even contemplated this decision, I sought counsel from my dear daughter, Hallie, as her father, Ron Olivere, shared with Delaware’s News Journal.

“Her response,” Ron said, “was, ‘Pop, we’re behind you all the way. We’re behind you 100 percent.'”

Natalie, who was 10 when her father passed away, expressed on TODAY before her grandfather’s inauguration in January 2020 that Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday. She explained that the reason she cherishes this holiday is because the family traditionally goes to Nantucket, where they all – including cousin Maisy, grandpa, uncle, and late dad – used to participate in a Polar Bear plunge in November.

In the year 2023, she completed her education at St. Andrew’s School, a location part of which was used for filming “Dead Poets Society”, situated in Middletown, Delaware. Following this, she chose to attend the University of Pennsylvania, an institution that holds a special place in her father’s history.

Natalie attended a May 2024 State Dinner for the president of Kenya with date Rafael Hajjar.

Hunter, the son of Beau and Hallie who bears his uncle’s name, has chosen to keep his life low-key most of the time. However, he has graced significant family occasions such as inaugurations with his presence.

During a CNN townhall with Anderson Cooper in March 2020, I shared a unique arrangement we had with Beau’s children, who lived nearby in Delaware. With social distancing being the norm, we found an innovative way to stay connected – sitting on our back porch while they sat on the lawn with their chairs. We engaged in heartfelt conversations about their daily experiences, from missing school to dealing with sibling squabbles, and more.

In 2021, the president and his wife were present at the confirmation ceremony of their grandson, which took place at their regular church, St. Joseph on the Brandywine, a church they have attended for a long time.

Robert Hunter Biden, born on February 4, 1970, is a Yale Law School alumnus who has openly discussed his fight against addiction issues and personal hardships.

In June 2024, it was determined that he had lied twice about his drug use on a federal background check form for a firearm and once for possessing a gun while addicted to or using illegal substances – all felonies. Before his father granted a pardon on Dec. 1, he faced a possible prison sentence of up to 25 years.

Hunter also pled guilty to tax-avoidance charges in September.

Despite being overshadowed by unfavorable news reports, Hunter was seldom present at the majority of his father’s political campaigns in 2020.

In 2019, I shared with The New Yorker that Beau and I have been side by side since we were transported in baskets during his initial campaign. We attended every major event and small gathering connected to his political journey. I’ve never skipped a rally for my father. It’s devastating for me, and it’s tearing both of us apart, that I’m not standing by his side in Philadelphia, near the Rocky statue. This separation is heart-wrenching for me; it’s taking a toll on me and him. My dad urges me to be present, and my mom echoes the same sentiment. However, I can’t help but wonder about the price we must pay for that presence.

In August 2020, the Hunter who had spoken remotely during his father’s official Democratic National Convention acceptance speech was not present. However, on November 7, he attended the president-elect’s victory speech in Wilmington in person.

And despite his troubles, Hunter remains one of the president’s closest advisors.

In 1993, a Yale Law School graduate tied the knot with Kathleen Buhle. Together they have three beautiful daughters: Naomi King Biden (born December 23, 1993), Finnegan Biden (born September 9, 2000), and Maisy Biden (born in 2001).

In 2015, the couple separated, and Kathleen mentioned drug abuse and infidelity as some of her husband’s flaws when she filed for divorce later on.

After the passing of his brother Beau, Hunter developed a romantic relationship with his widow, Hallie. Speaking about this when the news was made public in March 2017, he expressed to Page Six that they feel incredibly fortunate to have found love and support in each other during such a challenging period. Many who care for them have noticed this bond, he added, and they are thankful for the family and friends who have stood by their side throughout this journey.

The oldest offspring of the hunter completed their undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by enrollment at Columbia Law School. Currently, they are an associate at Arnold & Porter.

It turns out that Naomi and Tiffany Trump went to the same university, Penn, at one point. Interestingly enough, both Donald Trump (future president) and Joe Biden were present at their graduation ceremony in 2016. Additionally, Tiffany shared a photo of her and Naomi enjoying time together in the Hamptons during the summer of 2018.

Naomi mentioned that her grandfather, who held the position of Vice President for two terms during the administration of Barack Obama, is always ready to take a call from any of his grandchildren, regardless of time or location.

She mentioned on PBS Newshour in August 2020 that “He will be delivering a speech on stage, and when we contact him, he would respond with ‘What’s up?!’

For a short period before their November 19, 2022, wedding on the South Lawn, Naomi resided with her grandparents at the White House together with her future spouse, Peter Neal, as they worked out their wedding plans.

As I walked down the aisle, I found myself whispering a gentle reminder, “It’s the White House,” to myself. Yet, with the passing of each day, it becomes less extraordinary and more familiar, almost like second nature.

On election day Nov. 5, Naomi announced she and her husband were expecting their first child. 

They named their second child Catherine Eugenia “Jean,” an homage to Hunter’s grandmother, Jean Finnegan.

In 2021, she completed her studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and since then, she has been a frequent attendee at notable events both in Washington D.C. and internationally. For instance, in April 2023, she joined grandma Jill to witness the coronation ceremony of King Charles III.

In the year 2023, the President and his wife were present at the graduation ceremony of Hunter and Kathleen’s youngest child from the University of Pennsylvania.

Although Finnegan’s sister keeps her Instagram account private, feel free to explore Maisie’s artworks and peeks into her lifestyle on her publicly accessible profile instead.

In addition, she likes to wear a well-organized suit, often donning a dark jacket and pants along with Air Jordans at her grandfather’s inauguration, while opting for a Brooks Brothers pinstripe suit for a state dinner with the Australian Prime Minister in October 2023 held at the White House.

Back in May 2019, Hunter tied the knot with Melissa Cohen from South Africa during a rooftop wedding in Los Angeles following their romantic courtship that spanned over a couple of weeks.

As reported by the New Yorker, merely a few days following their initial date, Hunter got a “shalom” (a Hebrew term meaning both ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’, and ‘peace’) tattooed on his left bicep to correspond with Melissa’s existing ink. A short while later, on May 15th, he popped the question.

The following day, she agreed, he purchased wedding rings and arranged for a wedding ceremony, which included hiring an officiant.

Hunter shared with the magazine that he phoned his father after getting married, and told him the news. His dad was on speakerphone, and he responded, “Thank you for helping my son find the courage to love again.” To Hunter, he said, “Son, when I realized you found love again, I knew it would bring us closer together.” Hunter then replied, “Dad, I’ve always had love inside me. What allowed me to see it was your unwavering faith in me and refusal to ever give up on me.

Hunter and Melissa welcomed son Joseph Robinette “Beau” Biden IV on March 28, 2020.

In 2019, Lunden Alexis Roberts filed a child support lawsuit against Hunter Biden, claiming that he is the father of her daughter Navy, who was born in August 2018.

Initially, he asserted that he didn’t have a romantic involvement with Lunden. However, by January 2020, an Arkansas judge approved a paternity agreement following DNA evidence that confirmed him as the biological father of the child.

Afterward, the Hunter individual consented to provide a confidential sum as monthly child support, as reported by CNBC.

Recognizing that he now has seven grandchildren for the first time, the president made a statement to People, expressing that his son Hunter and Navy’s mother, Lunden, are cooperating to cultivate a relationship that prioritizes their daughter’s well-being while respecting her privacy as much as feasible in the future.

He went on to say, “This isn’t about politics; it’s a personal concern. Jill and I are simply looking out for the well-being of all our grandchildren, including Navy.

On June 9, 1981, Joe and Jill Biden were proud to welcome their one shared child, Ashley Blazer Biden, into the world.

In 2010, the Tulane graduate earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice. Since then, she has served as the Associate Director at the Delaware Center for Justice for over seven years.

In the vibrant year of 2017, I embarked on a unique journey by establishing my very own clothing brand, Livelihood. The emblem of this brand is a poignant symbol that resonates deeply with me – the letters ‘LH’ subtly pierced by an arrow. This design serves as a heartfelt tribute to my dearly departed brother, Beau.

In a conversation with The Lily last June 2020, I shared a profound insight: sometimes, we must experience the deepest lows to catapult ourselves towards our greatest heights. For me, his cancer was that gravitational pull that brought me crashing down. Yet, in those moments of utter despair, I found an unexpected strength. I had no other choice but to propel myself forward, to persist, and to continue chasing my dreams as if they were the very bow he once held for me.

Joe expressed deep admiration to TopMob News upon her debut at New York Fashion Week, stating, “I believe she’s on track to transform the world, as she’s been striving for this since she was just 3 years old.

Ashley shared with TODAY that she intends to employ her role as the first daughter to champion social justice, promote mental health awareness, and participate in community improvement and rejuvenation.

Regarding the harsh criticism aimed at her family, particularly her father and brother Hunter, she stated to Elle magazine in 2023, “The true display of strength is maintaining kindness even as the world becomes increasingly unkind.

She didn’t hold back her anger; instead, she explained, “It’s only natural for anyone who deeply cares about someone to feel upset when they are being unfairly criticized.” She further stated, “There’s a lot of nonsense out there that isn’t true at all.

Ashley encountered her spouse, Dr. Howard (who specializes in plastic surgery, teaches otolaryngology, and serves as the chief medical officer at StartUp Health – a venture capital firm), via Beau.

The doctor sought approval from his future father-in-law (which was given) and proposed to Ashley at sunset on a cliff in Big Sur, California. Later in June 2012, they got married in an interfaith ceremony that combined Catholic and Jewish traditions, taking place at the same church in Delaware where she had been baptized.

Joe expressed to People before the wedding that he couldn’t believe how quickly his little girl had grown up, saying, “Oh my, time has flown by!” However, he also emphasized that this man was indeed the right one, and he is receiving an extraordinary woman.

Joe is the eldest among four siblings, and Valerie Biden Owens, his sister, has often been seen accompanying him during his political campaigns. Interestingly, she has served as his primary political advisor for nearly five decades.

As a lifestyle expert, let me share a personal perspective on someone we all know well. In an interview with Axios following the announcement of his 2020 election victory, I remarked, “He is indeed known for his eloquence.” Yet, allow me to rephrase it from my perspective: “Here’s Biden once more, engaging in lengthy conversations – just like now. However, my brother stands out not only for his words but also for his exceptional listening skills.

When asked about a name she would use for him upon his presidency, Valerie responded, “I’d call him Joey or Joe. If he addresses me as ‘First Sister’, I’ll refer to him as ‘Mr. President’ instead.

To reach Joe Biden, you’ll need to go through us initially…We might not appear threatening, but keep in mind, our grandmother is Dr. Biden,” Naomi posted on October 22, 2020, during the final stretch of the presidential campaign.

Later on, she posted a picture showing her oldest grandchildren embracing their grandfather after learning about his election victory on November 7, 2020 in the morning.

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2025-07-21 23:48