The former U.S. president’s story goes beyond politics. It’s a life shaped by love, loss, and the powerful role of fatherhood. Now, as he faces a serious illness, the lives — and losses — of his children reveal a story of resilience and heartbreak.
Joe Biden departing the White House and stopping to talk to the press on his way to an event in Miami, Florida, on January 30, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Further testing revealed a Gleason score of 9, one of the highest grades on the scale for cancer severity. The disease is Stage 4, but reportedly “hormone-sensitive,” meaning it may still respond to treatment. Biden’s office stated, “The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
As the 82-year-old weighs his next steps, the story of his children underscores the emotional strength he has carried through public service and private sorrow. Joe had three children with his first wife, Neilia: Beau, Hunter, and Naomi.
After Neilia and Naomi died in 1972, he raised his surviving sons alone. In 1977, he married Jill Jacobs, and they welcomed their daughter Ashley. Each of his children has left a distinct mark on his life — some through public achievements, others through deeply personal loss.
Ashley Biden
Ashley Blazer Biden, born on June 8, 1981, is Joe and Jill Biden’s only child together. Unlike her half-siblings, Ashley has kept a deliberately low profile while dedicating her career to social work and justice reform.
Ashley earned a degree in Cultural Anthropology from Tulane University, followed by a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Her early work focused on supporting marginalized youth. From 2006 to 2007, she served as an Employment and Education Specialist at West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington.
She then became an Education & Employment Liaison for Delaware’s Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, where she worked on job training programs inside juvenile detention centers.
In 2012, Ashley became Executive Director of the Delaware Center for Justice, a nonprofit advocating for people impacted by the criminal legal system. She remained there for seven years, focusing on reform, support for formerly incarcerated women, and systemic change.
Ashley Biden attends the Paramount White House Correspondents’ Dinner after-party at the French Ambassador’s residence on April 30, 2022, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
Ashley once told Elle magazine in 2023 that she had “never wanted to be in the public eye” and added, “Yeah, I still don’t.” She said her focus is on amplifying other people’s stories and supporting the work of organizations making a difference.
Ashley Biden walks the red carpet with her mother, Second Lady Jill Biden, at the 88th Annual Academy Awards on February 28, 2016, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Her social media bio reflects that same message, describing her as a social worker, criminal justice reformer, voter, proud family member, and devoted dog mom. She is married to Philadelphia surgeon Howard Krein.
Although she has often avoided the spotlight, she stepped into a more public role in 2019 when she left her nonprofit position to campaign for her father during his presidential run. Her behind-the-scenes involvement reflected both loyalty and personal conviction.
Ashley Biden and her father, Joe Biden, attend the Gilt x Livelihood launch event at Spring Place on February 7, 2017, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
While Ashley has chosen a quiet life of advocacy, her half-brother has lived much of his adult life under intense public scrutiny.
Joe Biden embraces daughter Ashley Biden on stage during the 75th Annual Father of the Year Awards Luncheon on June 14, 2016, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Hunter Biden
Robert Hunter Biden, born in 1970, was just two years old when he survived the crash that killed his mother and baby sister. He sustained a fractured skull, while his brother Beau suffered a broken leg. The accident occurred just as their father was preparing to be sworn into the U.S. Senate.
Hunter Biden attends the World Food Program USA’s McGovern-Dole Leadership Award Ceremony at the Organization of American States, on April 12, 2016, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
Hunter attended Georgetown University and later Yale Law School, graduating in 1996. In between, he joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, where he met his first wife, Kathleen Buhle. The couple married in 1993 and have three daughters: Naomi, Finnegan, and Maisy.
However, their 24-year marriage ended in 2017 amid serious personal and financial strain. During their divorce, Kathleen alleged that Hunter had spent large sums on drugs, alcohol, and other affairs, leaving the family without money for basic expenses.
Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle attend the World Food Program USA’s McGovern-Dole Leadership Award Ceremony, on April 12, 2016, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
Years after their divorce, Kathleen reflected on the emotional toll of their relationship. In an interview tied to her memoir, “If We Break,” she said she had forgiven Hunter for the pain he caused, including his addictions and infidelity.
“Anger is such a heavy weight to carry and I was in a lot of pain,” she said. “When I made the decision to divorce, I wanted to let go of all of that.”
Joe Biden walks with his wife Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden, and daughter-in-law Kathleen Biden at Arlington National Cemetery for the burial of U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, on August 29, 2009, in Arlington, Virginia. | Source: Getty Images
Much of Hunter’s pain, she acknowledged, stemmed from a time when Hunter was already in deep crisis. His struggles with addiction intensified after the death of his brother, Beau, in 2015.
His daughter Naomi later captured the emotional depth of his bond with her Uncle Beau, describing the brothers as so close they seemed to share, “One heart, one soul, one mind.”
Joe Biden walks in the inaugural parade with his sons, Hunter (left) and Beau (right), during President Barack Obama’s swearing-in as the 44th U.S. President, on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
In the years that followed, Hunter faced multiple legal and personal challenges. He became the subject of a federal investigation into his taxes and foreign business dealings.
Jill Biden and Hunter Biden take part in the “Live Below the Line” Challenge at the World Food Program USA office, on May 1, 2013, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
Around the same time, in 2019, an Arkansas woman, Lunden Roberts, filed a paternity suit. DNA testing later confirmed Hunter as the father of Navy Joan Roberts. Initially unacknowledged publicly, she was later recognized by Joe.
Hunter Biden holds his son Beau while watching fireworks on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2023, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
In a 2023 statement to People magazine, Joe said, “Our son Hunter and Navy’s mother, Lunden, are working together to foster a relationship that is in the best interests of their daughter, preserving her privacy as much as possible going forward.”
Hunter Biden poses with actor Woody Harrelson at the after-party for the IMPACT Film Festival’s screening of “The Messenger,” on October 29, 2009, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
He emphasized that the situation was personal, not political, and that he and Jill simply wanted the best for all of their grandchildren, including Navy. Hunter remarried and is now raising a young son, but remains under political and legal scrutiny.
Hunter Biden, with his wife Melissa and their son Beau, returns to the White House in Washington, D.C., on January 17, 2025, after visiting Joint Base Andrews. | Source: Getty Images
While Hunter’s struggles have played out in public, his brother’s life reflected quiet service, steady purpose, and rising promise — a path cut short by illness.
Hunter Biden attends the Artists and Athletes Alliance’s Inaugural Honors event at Café Milano, on January 19, 2009, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
Beau Biden
Joseph Robinette “Beau” Biden III, born in 1969, was the eldest son of Joe and Neilia Biden. A Yale Law School graduate, Beau joined the Delaware Army National Guard in 2003. He deployed to Iraq in 2008, serving in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
A respected public servant, Beau was elected as Delaware’s Attorney General in 2006 and reelected in 2010. He was known for fighting child abuse and advocating for victims.
In 2014, he announced plans to run for governor, writing to constituents, “What started as a thought — a very persistent thought — has now become a course of action that I wish to pursue.”
Beau Biden introduces his father, Sen. Joe Biden, at the Democratic National Convention on August 27, 2008, in Denver, Colorado. | Source: Getty Images
But his political rise was interrupted by health issues. Beau suffered a mild stroke in 2010. Three years later, in 2013, doctors diagnosed him with brain cancer. He received treatment at MD Anderson in Houston and was declared in remission by November that year.
Sadly, the cancer returned. Beau died in May 2015, at age 46, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The U.S. flag flies at half-staff at the White House in honor of Beau Biden on June 6, 2015, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
In a family statement, then-Vice President Biden said, “It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life.”
Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and family arrive for Beau Biden’s funeral at St. Anthony of Padua Church on June 6, 2015, in Wilmington, Delaware. | Source: Getty Images
Then-President Barack Obama paid tribute to Joe’s late son, saying he followed in his father’s footsteps by studying law and pursuing public service. He called Beau “a good, big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and deeply faithful man,” whose impact on others continues to be remembered and felt.
Mourners hold photos of Beau Biden as the hearse arrives for his funeral on June 6, 2015, in Wilmington, Delaware. | Source: Getty Images
Beau’s death marked a significant loss in Joe’s personal life, but it was not the first. Decades earlier, he experienced another tragedy with the loss of his eldest daughter, whose life had only just begun.
Beau Biden appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on September 16, 2008, in Burbank, California. | Source: Getty Images
Naomi Biden
Naomi Christina Biden, born in November 1971, was the youngest of Joe and Neilia’s three children. On December 18, 1972, just weeks after Joe had been elected to the U.S. Senate, Naomi and Neilia were killed in a car crash. Joe was 30 years old at the time and had not yet taken office.
Joe Biden and his late wife Neilia smile in an undated photo, shown beside an image of their daughter Naomi, who died at just over one year old in a 1972 car crash. | Source: Getty Images
That morning, Neilia planned to take the children Christmas shopping and pick up a tree in Wilmington, Delaware. While Joe was in Washington, D.C., interviewing staff with his sister Valerie, his brother Jimmy called with news of the accident.
The wreckage of the Biden family vehicle after the fatal crash on December 18, 1972, in Wilmington, Delaware. | Source: Getty Images
After speaking with him, Valerie turned to Joe and said, “There’s been a slight accident. Nothing to be worried about. But we ought to go home.”
Naomi died at just over one year old. Her brothers, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured but survived. In his autobiography, “Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics,” Joe described how he felt in that moment, “I could not speak… only felt this hollow core grow in my chest, like I was going to be sucked inside a black hole.”
Joe Biden is sworn in as a U.S. Senator at Wilmington Medical Center on January 5, 1973, as his son Beau recovers from injuries sustained in the car crash that killed his wife Neilia and daughter Naomi. | Source: Getty Images
Years later, Hunter named his eldest daughter Naomi in her memory. As the years passed, Joe’s role as a father expanded into one as a grandfather — and now great-grandfather — with his growing family.
Joe has seven grandchildren from his four children and three from his first marriage: Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III, Robert Hunter Biden, and Naomi Christina “Amy” Biden. Over the years, he and his grandchildren have spoken about their strong bond and the ways they stay connected.
Joe’s Bond with His Grandkids
In 2021, several of Joe’s grandchildren appeared on “TODAY with Jenna & Friends” to talk about their relationship with him. Maisy Biden, one of his granddaughters, revealed that he regularly called them.
Every few days, he would phone a different grandchild to check in. She added that being president never stopped him from attending games or events whenever possible.
US President Joe Biden stands with Ashley Biden, Melissa Cohen Biden, Beau Biden Jr., Hunter Biden, and US First Lady Jill Biden to view a Christmas tree lighting in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on November 29, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
During a 2022 interview on the SmartLess podcast, Joe also spoke about the love and connection he shares with his grandchildren. Although he became President of the United States, his grandkids affectionately call him “Pop.”
He confirmed that his powerful position hadn’t changed the family’s closeness, noting they stay in touch almost daily. Speaking of his grandchildren, Joe said his “best recreation” since taking office has been finding moments to connect with his granddaughters.
The politician, who turned 80 that year, shared, “They’re crazy about me and I’m crazy about them. Every single day, I contact every one of my grandchildren.”
The former president’s grandchildren will undoubtedly be part of the close-knit circle supporting him through this difficult time. Here’s what we know about each one of them today.
US Vice President Joe Biden with Naomi Biden as they walk out from Air Force Two upon arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport on August 17, 2011, in Beijing, China | Source: Getty Images
Naomi Biden
In January 2025, Joe was preparing to become a great-grandfather. His eldest grandchild, Naomi Biden, was scheduled for a C-section that month, a joyful update he shared in an interview, exclaiming, “I’m about to be a great-grandfather, Jesus God.”
Naomi, the eldest daughter of Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle, is a lawyer. She married attorney Peter Neal in a historic White House ceremony in 2022. The couple lived at the White House and frequently joined Joe and Dr. Jill Biden on trips.
Naomi first revealed her pregnancy on Election Day. She has consistently supported her grandfather, especially after he chose to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Though she typically keeps a low profile, she testified in her father’s federal gun trial last year, where he was convicted.
The former president later pardoned his son in December.
Finnegan Biden
Naomi’s younger sister, Finnegan Biden, has made headlines due to her active involvement in student advocacy and campus politics. In high school, she led a protest that challenged and eventually changed her school’s dress code.
By the time she reached college, her passion for activism continued. In March 2020, as the University of Pennsylvania moved to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, students faced mounting academic and personal pressures.
US Vice President Joe Biden and Finnegan Biden at Helsinki-Vantaa airport on March 7, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
Finnegan, then a rising senior in the College of Arts and Sciences (Class of 2021), spearheaded a student petition to extend the deadline for selecting pass/fail grading.
The original deadline of April 13 was widely considered too early. Through Change.org, she argued that students dealing with unstable living conditions, time zone challenges, and health concerns needed more flexibility. Her petition garnered over 3,500 signatures and the university extended the deadline to April 29, 2020.
US President Joe Biden with Finnegan Biden in front of Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport on September 22, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Throughout the campaign, Finnegan deliberately avoided divisive language, especially regarding the controversial topic of mandatory pass/fail grading, to maintain unity. She used GroupMe and social media to reach student networks across all class years.
Though the university didn’t respond immediately, the eventual policy change reflected the petition’s impact. Reflecting on the campaign, Finnegan expressed pride in the student body’s solidarity.
US President Joe Biden and Finnegan Biden watch the Independence Day fireworks display from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
She highlighted the importance of initiative and grassroots activism, saying, “You have to be the change you want to see. Anything as little as just writing a petition. I hope everyone else can realize that it’s not that hard. But you have to do it.” Her efforts empowered students and fostered unity in a difficult period.
In May of that year, Naomi posted two photos of Finnegan, tagged her, and celebrated her accomplishments. She wrote, “BURSTING WITH PRIDE AND PERPETUALLY IN AWE OF MY FIRST LOVE AND LITTLE SIS @finneganbiden ilysmsmsmsm.”
Maisy Biden
While Naomi and Finnegan have carved their separate paths, their younger sister Maisy is also thriving in hers.
US Vice President Joe Biden with Maisy Biden at the Center for Memory and Reconciliation in Bogota on June 18, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
On her website, she introduces herself as Roberta Mabel “Maisy” Biden and describes herself as an artist.
