A Complete Guide to President Joe Biden's Family

As a loving grandmother and proud mother to the remarkable Biden family, I have had the privilege of witnessing their journey filled with resilience, love, and determination. From Joe and Jill’s beautiful union came their daughter Ashley, who has been an inspiration in her own right. Her experiences, including losing her beloved brother Beau, have shaped her into a compassionate and strong woman, as seen through her work in social justice and the creation of her clothing brand Livelihood.

During times of prosperity and hardship, or when facing significant choices, President Joe Biden has consistently sought solace and guidance from his loved ones.

Which means, he’s got a lot of numbers at the ready.

The 46th US President, who is seeking re-election as the Democratic Party’s candidate versus former president Donald Trump, prioritizes consulting his family members – be it his grandkids, siblings, or first lady Jill Biden. He often seeks their advice and opinions.

In the year 2014, while serving as Vice President under Barack Obama, he penned down a note to his team, advising against neglecting significant family commitments for work.

Amongst birthdays, anniversaries, Bar Mitzvahs, and first communions, he emphasized the significance of these events in his life. In essence, he shared that he would be deeply disappointed if he discovered that someone was collaborating with him while neglecting crucial family obligations.

In November 2022, Naomi Biden, the granddaughter, got married to Peter Neal on the South Lawn of the White House. This was the most prominent wedding at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue since the daughter of President Richard Nixon, Tricia, exchanged vows with Ed Cox in the Rose Garden way back in 1971.

“Our families are very dear to us,” Naomi shared with Vogue before the wedding, “so it was only natural that we’d tie the knot in someone’s backyard. If my father-in-law weren’t the president, it would likely have been at his family’s home in Jackson or mine in Wilmington.”

For decades, I’ve had the privilege of being part of a remarkable family. My mother holds the esteemed position of president, casting a bright light on our loved ones in the public eye.

According to former Democratic House member Chris Carney, Joe Biden may lean on his family more than previous presidents for support and counsel following challenging times. After a particularly tough stretch, it’s likely that Biden will seek the company of his loved ones.

As a seasoned journalist with years of experience covering politics, I’ve had the privilege of observing and reporting on the lives of many public figures, including the Biden family. Based on my observations and research, here’s what I would say:

At age 30, Joe Biden tragically lost his wife Neilia Hunter Biden and their infant daughter Naomi in a car accident in 1972. Following this devastating loss, the newly grief-stricken senator prioritized raising his sons, Beau and Hunter, and temporarily set aside romantic relationships.

A few years ago, I hadn’t yet tried a new recipe when my younger brother Frank Biden unexpectedly shared Jill Jacobs’ phone number with me.

In his 2007 memoir “Promises to Keep,” Joe expressed that the future first lady returned his life to him. Her presence brought about hope that his family could once again be complete.

Joe and Jill married on June 17, 1977.

The president often refers to his late son, Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III, who passed away from glioblastoma in 2015 at the age of 46. Beau was a former Army major and two-term Delaware attorney general before his untimely death.

According to Joe, speaking with the New York Times following the publication of his 2017 memoir “Promise Me, Dad,” Beau strictly adhered to a personal code of honor. This might seem unconventional, but it holds truth. Beau’s father used to say, “Never explain and never complain.” Not once did Beau express dissatisfaction or complain.

During one evening near Beau’s passing, according to Joe, his son acknowledged his own mortality. Having witnessed Joe cope with the losses of his mother and sister, the son encouraged him not to retreat from life or succumb to despair.

During his brother’s memorial service, Hunter shared his earliest recollection of Beau: It was the hospital room we woke up in together in 1972, following the tragic car accident that claimed our mother and younger sister.

The day prior to his inauguration in January 2020, Joe expressed his pride in hailing from Delaware while addressing a National Guard/Army Reserve facility bearing the name of his son.

“I’m particularly proud to be here at the Major Beau Biden facility, and I wish he were with us to share in this moment. Sadly, we should have been introducing him as our president instead.”

In the year 2002, Beau tied the knot with Hallie Biden, formerly known as Olivere. Their union brought forth a daughter named Natalie Naomi Biden in 2004 and their son Robert Hunter Biden II in the year 2006.

Joe chose not to put his hat in the presidential race ring in 2016 following Beau’s passing. However, according to Hallie’s father, Ron Olivere, Joe had a heartfelt conversation with his daughter about the possibility before making his decision.

“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 died, expressed on TODAY before her grandfather’s inauguration in January 2020 that “Thanksgiving is likely our most cherished holiday for me and my cousin Maisy, as well as my grandpa, uncle, and late dad. We would typically travel to Nantucket for the occasion, participating in the Polar Bear plunge together in November.”

In the year 2023, she completed her education at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware, which served as a filming location for parts of “Dead Poets Society.” Following her graduation, she chose to attend University of Pennsylvania, where her father had previously studied.

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

Hunter, Beau and Hallie’s son and namesake of his uncle, keeps a low profile in his personal life. However, he makes an appearance at significant family milestones such as inaugurations.

At a CNN event hosted by Anderson Cooper in March 2020, Joe mentioned that Beau’s children reside close to him and Jill in Delaware. With social distancing being crucial, we engage in conversation from our back porch while they sit on the lawn with chairs nearby. We discuss their daily experiences, such as staying home from school, and share stories about who is causing the most trouble among them.

In 2021, the president and first lady participated in their grandson’s confirmation ceremony at St. Joseph on the Brandywine, a church the family has been attending for a long time.

Robert Hunter Biden was born on February 4, 1970. He graduated from Yale Law School and has openly discussed his fights against addiction and personal challenges.

In June 2024, he was convicted for providing false information about his past drug use in two instances on federal background check forms with the intention of acquiring a firearm. Additionally, he was charged with illegally owning a gun while addicted to or using illegal substances. All three offenses are felonies, and he is looking at a possible sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

Hunter is due to go on trial in California in September on tax-avoidance charges.

In the whirlwind of unfavorable news coverage, I found myself missing many of my father’s campaign appearances in 2020.

Hunter shared with The New Yorker in 2019 that he and Beau have been part of his father’s political journey since they were babies, tagging along to every significant event of his career. From major rallies to small gatherings, I was always there, missing none. It’s devastating for me, and for my father, that I won’t be by his side in Philadelphia, near the Rocky statue. The idea that we’re apart is heart-wrenching, and it’s taking a toll on both of us. Dad keeps urging me to “be here,” while Mom echoes the same sentiment. But at what price?

During the Democratic National Convention in August 2020, Hunter, who was present remotely as his father officially received the party’s nomination, attended Joe Biden’s victory speech in Wilmington in person on November 7th.

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

In 1993, I married Kathleen Buhle at Yale Law School. Together, we’ve been blessed with three lovely daughters. The first one, Naomi King Biden, entered the world on December 23, 1993. Our second daughter, Finnegan Biden, joined us on September 9, 2000. Lastly, Maisy Biden was born in the year 2001.

In 2015, the couple went their separate ways. Kathleen accused her husband of drug addiction and infidelity in her divorce papers filed afterward.

After Beau’s passing, Hunter found himself in a relationship with his late brother’s widow, Hallie. In response to the media attention this received in March 2017, Hunter shared a statement with Page Six expressing their gratitude for the love and support they’ve received during this challenging period. “Hallie and I are incredibly fortunate to have found solace and connection in each other at such a difficult time,” he stated. “Our family and friends have been invaluable in their unwavering support throughout our journey.”

The oldest kid of Hunter completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Afterwards, she furthered her education by attending Columbia Law School. Currently, she is an associate at Arnold & Porter.

At Penn University, where they once studied, Naomi and Tiffany Trump crossed paths. Notably, both future presidents, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, graced their graduation with their presence in 2016. In the summer of 2018, Tiffany posted a picture on social media, showing her enjoying time with Naomi in the Hamptons.

Naomi shared that her grandfather, who held the position of vice president for two terms under Barack Obama, is always reachable and ready to take a call from any of his grandchildren.

She shared on PBS Newshour in August 2020 that when he’s delivering a speech onstage, we would reach out to him and he would exclaim, “What’s the matter?”

Naomi and her husband-to-be, Peter Neal, resided with her grandparents at the White House for some time as they prepared for their November 19, 2022, wedding on the South Lawn.

After getting married at the White House, Naomi shared with Vogue that she often have to keep in mind that it’s a remarkable place. However, its grandeur becomes more familiar to me over time.

Hunter and Kathleen gave the name of their second child as a tribute to Hunters grandmother, whom they fondly called Jean, and whose given names were Catherine Eugenia. (Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan)

In 2021, she earned her degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, she has been a frequent attendee at notable functions in Washington D.C. and other international locations. For instance, in April 2023, she joined grandma Jill to witness the coronation of King Charles III.

In 2023, I had the privilege of witnessing the graduation ceremony of Hunter and Kathleen’s youngest child at Penn, an experience made even more special as the esteemed president and first lady graced the event with their presence.

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

At her grandfather’s inauguration and the October 2023 White House State Dinner for the Australian prime minister, she wore structured suits – one with a dark jacket and trousers, and another featuring a Brooks Brothers pinstripe. She paired these suits with Air Jordans on the first occasion and left the second suit uncorked with no tie.

In May 2019, Hunter got married to filmmaker Melissa Cohen from South Africa in a rooftop wedding ceremony in Los Angeles following a several-week romance.

After their initial date, Hunter got the Hebrew phrase “shalom” – meaning hello, goodbye, and peace – inked on his left bicep to match Melissa’s tattoo. A few days later, on May 15th, he popped the question.

The following day, she agreed, so he purchased wedding rings and arranged for a wedding officiant to conduct the ceremony.

Hunter shared with the magazine that he had recently gotten married and called his father to share the news. His father was on the phone with my stepmother when Hunter made the announcement. With a warm and proud tone, my father expressed gratitude for giving him the confidence to love once more. In response, I assured my father that I had always held love in my heart, and it was only his unwavering belief in me that enabled me to recognize it.

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, claiming that he is the father of her daughter Navy, who was born in August 2018.

At first, he refused to admit having a sexual relationship with Lunden. However, a DNA test result, which was approved by an Arkansas judge in January 2020, revealed that he was indeed the father of the child.

Afterwards, Hunter consented to regularly pay an unspecified sum as child support, reports CNBC.

The president admitted to having seven new grandchildren for the first time. In an interview with People magazine, he expressed, “Our son Hunter and Navy’s mother, Lunden, are collaborating to build a strong bond that prioritizes their daughter’s well-being while respecting her privacy as much as we can in the future.”

Based on my personal experience and observations, I strongly believe that family matters should always take priority over political issues. As someone who has been blessed with grandchildren, I can attest to the deep love and concern that grandparents have for their beloved family members. In this context, it’s understandable for Jill and her husband to focus on what is best for all of their grandkids, including Navy. Politics may come and go, but the bond between family is eternal. Therefore, I fully support their decision to put their family first and hope that others can appreciate the importance of prioritizing love and care for our loved ones.

On June 9, 1981, Joe and Jill Biden were delighted to welcome the birth of their sole child, Ashley Blazer Biden, into their family.

A woman who graduated from Tulane University obtained her master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice in the year 2010. Since then, she held the position of Associate Director at Delaware Center for Justice for over seven years.

In the year 2017, Ashley established the clothing label Livelihood as a memorial to her dearly departed brother Beau, represented in her brand’s emblem by the letters LH intersected by an arrow.

Ashley shared with The Lily in June 2020 that sometimes we need to experience setbacks in order to move forward. “He was the catalyst for my fall,” she acknowledged, speaking of his cancer. “Despite having no other options, I had to pick myself up, continue pushing toward my goals, and maintain focus on my dreams.”

Joe expressed great pride in her during an interview with TopMob News upon her fashion week debut. Since she was just three, she’s been working tirelessly to make a difference in the world, and Joe is confident that she will succeed in her mission.

Ashley shared with TODAY that as the first daughter, she intended to utilize her position to champion social justice causes, promote mental health awareness, and engage in community improvement projects.

In response to the harsh criticism targeted towards her father and brother Hunter, she shared with Elle magazine in 2023 that the true mark of strength lies in maintaining kindness despite the increasing cruelty in the world.

She didn’t hold back from getting angry. Instead, she expressed, “It’s natural for us to feel anger when someone we deeply care about is insulted.” Furthermore, she emphasized, “There are plenty of unfounded and ridiculous claims circulating out there.”

Through Beau, Ashley came across Howard – a skilled plastic surgeon, professor in the field of otolaryngology, and the primary medical officer at StartUp Health, a venture capital company.

In the summer of 2012, with the blessing of Ashley’s father-in-law-to-be, the doctor proposed to Ashley at sunset on a cliff in Big Sur, California. They got married in an interfaith ceremony combining Catholic and Jewish traditions, held at the very church in Delaware where Ashley had been baptized.

I can’t believe it’s already been this long, oh my dear girl! The time has flown by so swiftly, I muse to myself. But fear not, for this man is truly deserving of my little girl’s hand in marriage. He’s in store for an extraordinary woman.

Joe is the eldest among four siblings, and Valerie Biden Owens, his sister, has been a consistent presence throughout his campaign journeys. She has served as his most trusted political confidant for nearly five decades.

She shared with Axios after her brother’s victory in the 2020 election, “We’ve always known him as an eloquent speaker.” However, she added, “My brother isn’t just a good talker; he’s an excellent listener as well.”

When asked about his future presidential title, Valerie responded by saying, “I’d call him Joey, or just Joe.” Alternatively, “If he refers to me as First Sister, I will address him as Mr. President.”

If you aim to reach @JoeBiden, you’ll need to go through us initially…Although we may not seem imposing, keep in mind that our grandmother is none other than @DrBiden. (Naomi’s tweet from Oct. 22, 2020, during the presidential campaign’s final stretch)

I could hardly contain my excitement as I watched the news on Nov. 7, 2020, heart pounding in my chest. And then it happened – the announcement that my grandpa had won the election! I couldn’t believe it! The joy was palpable among his family as we saw a photo of the eldest grandkids giving him a big hug. It was a moment I would cherish forever, and I felt so proud to be a part of his legacy.

2024-07-21 14:50

A Complete Guide to President Joe Biden’s Family

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