A quick guide to the life of Joe Biden
Joe Biden is running for a second term as president. Aged 81, he’s had a long political career, spending decades in Congress before becoming vice president then president. We’ve got a quick guide on how the son of a car salesman reached America’s highest office.
Biden was born into an Irish Catholic family with working-class roots
Born in Scranton Pennsylvania in 1942, he was the first child of Catherine Eugenia Finnegan and Joseph Robinette Biden Sr. The family had financial ups and downs, and eventually moved to Delaware where his father found a more modest living selling cars. Biden Jr had a bad stutter growing up, with a teacher cruelly calling him “buh-buh-Biden”. However, he managed to overcome it by repeating words in the mirror and was a popular kid in school, helped by his sporting talents. He studied at University of Delaware then went to law school, but his grades were poor and he was accused of plagiarising an essay.
Biden became a senator for Delaware, but days later his wife and daughter died
Biden married Neilia Hunter in 1966, whom he met on holiday as a student. The couple had three children: Beau, Hunter and Naomi (Amy). After spending time as a corporate lawyer and state attorney, he won an election to serve on a local council in Delaware - his first step into politics. Then, at just 29 years old, he ran for the US Senate and won as an unexpected outsider against the 63-year-old Republican incumbent. However, tragedy struck just weeks later when Neilia and Amy died in a car crash. Biden considered giving up his seat and becoming a priest, but decided to be sworn in with Hunter and Beau by his side.
Biden was in the Senate for 36 years, serving from President Nixon to Obama
Considered the Democrat’s golden boy, he quickly became a national figure known for his straight-talking manner. Later on, Biden made headlines for leading committees which oversaw the appointment of top judges and foreign policy. This included chairing a controversial televised hearing which involved a judge accused of sexual harassment. He also championed key laws including the Violence Against Women Act and Crime Act, which some have praised and others have criticised for increasing prisoner numbers. Biden also married again to Jill Jacobs, his current wife and first lady, and they had a daughter, Ashley. In 1987, he made a first attempt to run for president but the campaign ended quickly amid accusations he plagiarised campaign speeches.
He became vice president to Barack Obama
Biden launched a second attempt to become president in 2008. But again, his campaign collapsed and instead he accepted a joint ticket with Barack Obama, becoming his vice president. The pair developed a close relationship in office, which was often described as a bromance. Over Obama’s two terms, Biden was a key adviser, shaping White House policies on issues such as gay rights and troops in Afghanistan. He also helped shepherd important laws through Congress such as the Affordable Care Act. At the end of his presidency, Obama awarded Biden the Medal of Freedom.
Biden decided not to run in 2016, but returned and won in 2020
Biden’s son Beau - a budding politician - died of brain cancer in 2015. The following year, Biden decided not to run for president, saying he was still grieving. Donald Trump won the election. After leaving office, Biden set up foundations and became an honorary professor, earning millions from book deals and speaking fees. In 2019, he announced he was running for the White House (again). Biden promised to bring stability and experience to the office. He won over 50% of the votes cast - receiving more than 80 million votes, the most in US history.
Biden has done a lot as president, but he isn’t that popular
The Biden administration has enacted several massive bills passed by Congress, including financial support after Covid-19 and huge investment in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing and health care. However, despite strong economic growth and record low jobless, many Americans are frustrated by the rising cost of living and hold Biden responsible. His administration has also been criticised for a migrant crisis at the southern border. On foreign policy, Biden oversaw a chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, which was followed by the return of the Taliban. Under Biden’s leadership the US championed a global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is by far the biggest contributor in aid.
Biden plans to run again in 2024, but concerns have been raised over his age
Running for re-election in a re-match against Donald Trump, Biden will highlight his track record on the economy and present his opponent as a threat to democracy. A key vulnerability could be his age and questions about his frailty. An investigation led by special counsel Robert Hur found that Biden “wilfully retained and disclosed classified materials” but concluded he wouldn’t be charged because he would likely present himself as an "elderly man with a poor memory". Biden was furious about Hur’s 345-page report, but got his facts muddled when trying to defend himself.