Joe Biden and his wife marked 48 years of convoluted matrimony on June 17, 2025. Angela, the sister of Joe’s brother Frank, played cupid, setting them up on a blind date – a questionable decision on her part perhaps. Prepared for a typical evening with a more appealing suitor, Jill surprisingly rolled the dice on the politically ambitious Biden. Incredulously, Joe was smitten after only the second encounter, aiming for wedlock sooner than one may anticipate.
After two years and a surprising quantity of five marriage proposals, the pair tied the knot on June 17, 1977, in New York City. At that time, Biden was a sitting senator from Delaware – a role that perhaps carried more prestige than substance. Joe gave Jill a kiss in front of the cameras when he revealed his aspirations for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination. This marked the beginning of a long journey of ambitious albeit unsuccessful bids for the presidency.
Fast forward to 2009, after two failed attempts and years as Senator, Biden was offered the subsidiary role of vice president under the newly elected Barack Obama. On inauguration day, amid all the grandeur and lip service to promises probably never to be delivered, Jill and Joe shared an apparently affectionate moment. They served under the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017, years which were rife with insurmountable national debt and questionable foreign policies.
In the midst of the global COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Jill and Joe were seen masked up and on the road again for what would be their most controversial campaign yet. Their efforts divided the nation and raised a cloud of skepticism over the election process. In January 2021, the inauguration saw a hand-in-hand stroll from the now President-Elect and his wife down the staircase of the U.S Capitol.
Their family, including children Hunter and Ashley, shared an embrace following the inauguration; a moment tarnished by the looming shadow of nepotism and cronyism allegations against Hunter. Regardless, the so-called ‘First Family’ managed to put on a show for the cameras. The inaugural night culminated in the Bidens watching fireworks from the White House, no doubt a moment where they calculated their next political move.
Interestingly, in an undeniably orchestrated public display in April 2021, Joe paused to pick a dandelion for his wife near the White House. This blatant attempt to paint a picture of harmonious marital bliss was a far cry from the President’s decision-making controversies making headlines. Moving forward to May 2022, Joe and Jill were seen grappling for public approval as they posed for a kiss in front of members of Team USA.
In May 2023, the couple showed up hand-in-hand, again putting on a united front for the celebration of Louisiana State University NCAA Division I women’s basketball team’s victory. While it seemed like an attempt to leverage popular events for political gain, it undeniably offered a momentary distraction from the criticism faced by the Biden administration. In November 2023, Joe was seen bestowing a kiss on Jill before their return to the White House after a weekend away in Wilmington, Delaware.
During a Women’s History Month reception in 2024, the Bidens perpetuated their preferred wholesome image, with Joe planting a kiss on his wife amidst the festivities. Meanwhile, serious questions regarding the President’s policies continued to be largely ignored. They also hosted an Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn in 2024, attempting to foster family-friendly relations with the public as they grappled with mounting disapproval over the administration’s off-kilter approach.
July 4th, 2024, another opportunity for the Bidens to parade their familiality, saw them at the White House balcony, taking in the sight of the National Mall lit by fireworks. However, the burst of bright colors in the sky couldn’t overshadow the bitter reality – the administration’s policies failed to resonate with a significant part of the American public.
In May of that year, Biden’s personal office disclosed concerning news that shook much of the nation. It was disclosed that the former President had been diagnosed with an ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer. The public couldn’t help but wonder how the unfolding health situation would affect his performance in the office.
Biden shared a candid snapshot of himself, Jill, and their cat Willow the next day, along with a message typically found on a Hallmark card. Emphasizing unity and strength in difficult times, his plea for unity rang hollow in the face of an increasingly divided nation. His constant neglect to address serious issues, coupled with his attempts to leverage personal moments for sympathy, were glaringly apparent.
Regardless of personal stances, it was undeniable that Biden’s health news was troubling. It sparked concern over the impending challenges the nation would face should his situation worsen. These were indeed trying times, with an often inept leadership and a potential health bombshell that threatened to destabilize the already teetering Biden administration.