When former President Joe Biden was given the number of a college senior after becoming a widower, he didn’t expect her reaction to his call. While their initial meeting was a bit bumpy, she knew he was special by the end of their first date.
Before former President Joe Biden found lasting love with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, he was married previously to his college sweetheart, Neilia Biden. The couple welcomed three children.
Senator Joe Biden and his wife Jill while running for president of the United States on July 14, 1987 | Source: Getty Images
Neilia tragically died in 1972 in a car accident along with their one-year-old daughter, Naomi. A tractor-trailer collided with their station wagon, killing them at the scene.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Joe spoke about the loss during a commencement speech at Yale University. He revealed that just six weeks after being elected as Delaware’s senator, his “whole world was altered forever.”
Newly elected Senator Joe Biden with his wife Neilia in an undated photo | Source: Getty Images
He recalled that while hiring staff in Washington, he received a phone call that would change his life forever. “My wife and three children were Christmas shopping, He said, “A tractor-trailer broadsided them and killed my wife and killed my daughter. And they weren’t sure that my [two] sons would live.”
His sons, Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III and Robert Hunter Biden, spent months recovering in the hospital. Joe was sworn in as senator at the medical facility. Reflecting on that time, he shared, “The incredible bond I have with my children is the gift I’m not sure I would have had, had I not been through what I went through. . . . But by focusing on my sons, I found my redemption.”
Senator-elect Joe Biden and Neilia Biden cut his 30th birthday cake at a party in Wilmington, on November 20, 1972, with their son, Hunter, and another child | Source: Getty Images
However, love wasn’t off the table for the young senator. A few years later, he met the woman who would become his sons’ stepmother and the First Lady of the United States.
Jill Biden watching as Joe Biden announces his bid for 1988 Democratic presidential nomination on June 1, 1987 | Source: Getty Images
Meeting and Falling for His Second Wife
Three years after his devastating loss, Joe was introduced to Jill Tracy Jacobs by his brother. Joe would later suggest that his late wife had something to do with bringing him and Jill together.
In August 2020, Jill shared a nostalgic photo of herself sitting in Joe’s lap outdoors as he embraced her. She reflected on the first time he called her unexpectedly on a Saturday in 1975.
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The first six words she said to him were, “How did you get this number?” At the time, Jill had also been previously married.
She recalled, “I was a senior, and I had been dating guys in jeans and clogs and T-shirts, he came to the door and he had a sport coat and loafers, and I thought, ‘God, this is never going to work, not in a million years.’ He was nine years older than I am!”
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However, their first date was a success. They watched “A Man and a Woman” at a movie theater in Philadelphia and connected immediately. When Jill got home, Joe shook her hand to say goodnight. She later confessed, “I went upstairs and called my mother at 1:00 a.m. and said, ‘Mom, I finally met a gentleman.'”
Although Jill thought he was a gentleman, Joe had to propose five times before she said yes. She explained, “I said, ‘Not yet. Not yet. Not yet.’ Because by that time, of course, I had fallen in love with the boys, and I really felt that this marriage had to work. Because they had lost their mom, and I couldn’t have them lose another mother. So I had to be 100 percent sure.”
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Eventually, Joe gave Jill an ultimatum. He told her it was the last time he would propose and that while he didn’t care when they got married, he needed a commitment. That was the push she needed, and she finally said yes.
The couple married on June 17, 1977, at the United Nations chapel in New York City, with a Catholic priest officiating. About 40 of their closest friends and family attended, and Joe’s sons stood beside him and Jill at the altar.
Senator Joe Biden after announcing his candidacy for president in Wilimington, Delaware, with his wife Dr. Jill Biden on June 1, 1987 | Source: Getty Images
They celebrated their union with a lunch reception at the Sign of the Dove. The couple then went on a honeymoon with the boys, explaining that the marriage was about the entire family coming together.
Jill and Joe Biden at a state dinner for President Jacques Chirac of France at the White House in Washington, D.C., on February 1, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
Introducing His Well-Educated Wife and the Secret to Their Longstanding Marriage
By 2008, Jill, then 57, was a well-educated professional. She held two master’s degrees— one from West Chester University and another from Villanova University—a bachelor’s degree, and a doctorate in education from the University of Delaware.
By that time, Joe’s wife had been teaching for over 20 years, including working with emotionally disturbed teenagers. She was a professor of English at Delaware Technical and Community College.
Vice President Joe Biden kisses Dr. Jill Biden before addresseing the troops in Fort Drum, New York, on July 28, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
When Senator Barack Obama selected Joe as his vice-presidential running mate, Joe introduced Jill to the world in a charming way. He said, “My wife, Jill, who you’ll meet soon, who’s drop-dead gorgeous. My wife, Jill, she also has a doctorate degree, which is a problem. [sic]”
After decades together, Joe has remained deeply in love with his wife. In 2023, during a CNN interview in Nairobi, Kenya, Jill discussed her role in their marriage.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill kiss during the first White House conference on women’s health research on December 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
She explained that she tries to maintain a “good balance” by offering Joe advice based on her observations and daily interactions, rather than attempting to directly influence his decisions. Her experiences in teaching and travel help inform the insights she shares with him.
Jill added that her husband often broadens her perspective by presenting opposing viewpoints, something she considers one of his strengths. The interview was part of her five-day trip to Africa, which also included stops in Namibia and Kenya.
First Lady Jill Biden at the unveiling of the White House Holiday decor in Washington, D.C., on November 27, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
In a 2020 interview, Joe was asked to share the secret to his long marriage. Smiling, he said, “I adore her.” Even though he thought it might sound silly, he described a moment when he saw Jill coming down the stairs and realized his heart “still skips a beat” when he sees her.
Joe has frequently shown affection for his wife over the years, including through social media. On January 20, 2021, the day he was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States, he shared a heartfelt video of the two of them.
In the video, the couple wore face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Jill supported her husband by grabbing hold of his hand. Joe captioned the post, “I love you, Jilly, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have you with me on the journey ahead.”
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Fans have reacted warmly to the couple’s enduring relationship. One person commented on JIll’s throwback photo from 1975, writing, “Real people. Real family. Models of decency, resilience, empathy and service [sic] to others.”
Another added, “Your love story is beautiful. ❤️❤️❤️❤️.” A different commenter described them as a “Beautiful couple❣️.” Someone else noted, “😍❤️ best couple ever since 1975 till now , this a great blessing. [sic]”
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Joe’s Cancer Diagnosis
Sadly, the Bidens are currently facing one of their most difficult trials. On May 16, 2025, Joe was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. A statement released by his office on May 18 confirmed that the cancer had spread to his bones.
According to the statement, Joe initially experienced urinary symptoms. After medical tests, doctors discovered a “small nodule” on his prostate. The cancer was described as having a Gleason score of 9 and evidence of bone metastasis.
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The Gleason score is used to describe how prostate cancers look under a microscope, with nine and 10 indicating the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Joe’s diagnosis is Stage 4, meaning the cancer has already spread beyond its origin.
The statement from his office added, “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which [sic] allows for effective management.” Joe is currently reviewing treatment options with his family and medical team.
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In the days following the announcement, the politician shared a touching photo of himself, Jill, and their cat on social media. He addressed the diagnosis by writing, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
As Joe Biden and Jill prepare to face his diagnosis, their love story remains a testament to resilience, devotion, and shared strength in the face of hardship. Their journey continues to inspire people around the world, and we wish them well.
