Joe Biden (born November 20, 1942, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.) is the 46th president of the United States (2021–25), former vice president (2009–17) under Barack Obama, and Delaware’s longest-serving U.S. senator (1973–2009). Known for his resilience, affable style, and long public service, Biden became one of the most recognizable figures in American politics for more than half a century.
Raised in Scranton and later Delaware, Biden earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware (1965) and a law degree from Syracuse University (1968). Elected to the New Castle County Council (1970–72), he rose quickly in politics. In 1972, at just 29 years old, he won election to the U.S. Senate, becoming one of the youngest senators in American history. Tragedy struck soon after when his wife and infant daughter died in a car accident, an event that shaped his political and personal outlook. He remarried in 1977 to Jill Jacobs, an educator, with whom he has a daughter.
As a senator for Delaware (1973–2009), Biden built a reputation on foreign relations, judicial matters, and criminal law. He twice chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and led the Senate Judiciary Committee (1987–95). Biden was central in debates over NATO, the Balkans conflict, post-9/11 security policy, and the Iraq War.
Biden’s first presidential campaign in 1988 ended in controversy over plagiarized speeches, and his 2008 campaign faltered early. However, he became Obama’s running mate in 2008, serving two terms as vice president. In office, he helped navigate budget crises, oversaw Iraq policy, and supported major Obama initiatives, including the Affordable Care Act (2010). His son Beau Biden’s death in 2015 delayed his 2016 presidential ambitions.
In 2020 Biden defeated Donald Trump, pledging to “restore the soul of America.” His presidency oversaw major legislation, including the American Rescue Plan (2021), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021), and the Inflation Reduction Act (2022). He also navigated crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, the withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021), and the Russia-Ukraine war (from 2022).
In 2023–24, Biden faced mounting challenges: inflation, criticism over the Israel–Hamas war, and concerns about his age. His poor performance in a 2024 debate with Trump intensified pressure to step aside. On July 21, 2024, he withdrew his reelection bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, becoming the first sitting president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 to forgo reelection.
Biden left office on January 20, 2025, as Trump returned to power. In May 2025, Biden revealed a Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, marking a difficult post-presidency. Despite controversy in later years, Biden remains remembered for his decades of service, his commitment to American democracy, and his role as a bridge between generations of Democratic leadership.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. |
| Byname | Joe Biden |
| Born | November 20, 1942, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Age | 82 (as of 2025) |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| U.S. Senate | 1973–2009 (Delaware) |
| Vice President | 2009–17 (under Barack Obama) |
| President | 2021–25 (46th president) |
| Major Legislation | American Rescue Plan (2021), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021), Inflation Reduction Act (2022) |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction (2017) |
| Family | Married Jill Jacobs (1977); four children (including late Beau Biden) |
| Post-presidency | Withdrew from 2024 race; diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer in 2025 |
