Joe Biden Family Tree: The Story Behind The 46th US President

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., born 20 November 1942 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA, was the 46th President of the United States (20 January 2021 – 20 January 2025) — oldest person ever inaugurated as President; 47th Vice President of the US (2009–2017) under Obama; US Senator from Delaware (1973–2009).

The Family's Roots: An Irish-Catholic Pennsylvania Family

The Biden family is Irish-Catholic from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

His Parents

Father: Joseph Robinette Biden Sr. (1915–2002) — used-car salesman.

Mother: Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden (1917–2010) — homemaker.

His Siblings

Valerie Biden Owens, born 1945 — sister; campaign manager.

Frank Biden — younger brother.

James Biden — younger brother.

His First Wife: Neilia Hunter

Neilia Hunter Biden (1942–1972) — married Joe in 1966; killed in a car accident on 18 December 1972 along with their 1-year-old daughter Naomi; her sons Beau and Hunter were injured but survived.

Their Children

Joseph "Beau" Biden III (1969–2015) — eldest son; Delaware Attorney General; died of brain cancer at 46.

Robert Hunter Biden, born 4 February 1970 — son; lawyer; convicted of federal gun charges (June 2024) and tax evasion (September 2024); pardoned by Biden December 2024.

Naomi Christina Biden (1971–1972) — daughter; killed in same car accident as her mother.

His Wife: Jill Jacobs Biden

Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden, born 3 June 1951 — Educator; PhD English (University of Delaware); First Lady. Married Joe on 17 June 1977.

Daughter with Jill

Ashley Blazer Biden, born 8 June 1981 — social worker; founded Livelihood (denim clothing brand).

The Biden Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Joseph Biden Sr. (1915–2002) — car salesman.

Mother: Catherine Finnegan Biden (1917–2010).

Siblings: Valerie Biden Owens (b. 1945); Frank; James.

First Wife: Neilia Hunter (1942–1972; m. 1966; killed in car accident 18 December 1972).

Children with Neilia: Beau (1969–2015, brain cancer); Hunter (b. 4 February 1970); Naomi (1971–1972, car accident).

Wife: Jill Jacobs Biden (b. 3 June 1951; m. 17 June 1977) — educator.

Daughter with Jill: Ashley Blazer Biden (b. 8 June 1981).

Joe Biden:

  • Born 20 November 1942, Scranton
  • University of Delaware (BA 1965); Syracuse University College of Law (JD 1968)
  • US Senator (Delaware): 1973–2009 — youngest US Senator (age 30); 36-year career
  • Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee: 1987–95
  • Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee: 2001–03, 2007–09
  • 47th Vice President of the US: 20 January 2009 – 20 January 2017
  • 46th President of the US: 20 January 2021 – 20 January 2025
  • Major legislation: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021); Inflation Reduction Act (2022); CHIPS Act (2022)
  • Withdrew from 2024 presidential race: 21 July 2024; endorsed Kamala Harris

What the Biden Family Story Teaches Us

A used-car-salesman father. Three siblings. A first wife and infant daughter killed in a car accident in 1972. Two sons who survived the accident — one later dying of brain cancer at 46, one publicly convicted of federal crimes. A second marriage of 47 years. A daughter who became a social worker. A presidency at age 78.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Joe Biden story carries the same lesson. Some family records hold catastrophic loss alongside the highest office. The 1972 car accident and the 2015 cancer death are on the Biden family record alongside the 2021 inauguration.

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