History of Beau Biden in Timeline
"Beau" Biden, eldest son of President Joe Biden, was a prominent figure in Delaware. He served as the state's Attorney General and held a military rank in the Delaware Army National Guard, even serving in the Iraq War. His promising political career, which included a potential gubernatorial run, was cut short by his untimely death from brain cancer in 2015.
February 3, 1969: Birth of Beau Biden
Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III was born in Wilmington, Delaware on February 3, 1969.
December 18, 1972: The Biden Family Car Accident
On December 18, 1972, Beau Biden, his father Joe Biden, and brother Hunter Biden were involved in a car crash that killed Beau's mother, Neilia, and infant sister, Naomi.
June 1977: Joe Biden's Marriage to Jill Jacobs
Joe Biden married Jill Jacobs in June 1977, after the death of his first wife, Neilia. Beau Biden welcomed Jill as his stepmother.
1981: Birth of Ashley Biden
Ashley Biden, Beau Biden's half-sister, was born in 1981 to Joe Biden and Jill Jacobs.
1991: Beau Biden's Graduation from the University of Pennsylvania
Beau Biden graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991.
1995: Beau Biden's Career at the U.S. Department of Justice
Beau Biden worked at the U.S. Department of Justice in Philadelphia from 1995 to 2004.
1999: Beau Biden's Continued Work in Kosovo
Beau Biden continued his work in Kosovo in 1999.
2002: Beau Biden's Marriage to Hallie Olivere
Beau Biden married Hallie Olivere in 2002.
2003: Beau Biden Joins the Delaware Army National Guard
Beau Biden joined the Delaware Army National Guard in 2003 and achieved the rank of major.
2004: Beau Biden Joins Bifferato, Gentilotti, Biden & Balick
Beau Biden became a partner at the law firm of Bifferato, Gentilotti, Biden & Balick in 2004 after his work in Kosovo.
2004: Birth of Natalie Naomi Biden
Beau Biden's daughter, Natalie Naomi Biden, was born in 2004.
2006: Beau Biden Runs for Attorney General of Delaware
Beau Biden ran for attorney general of Delaware in 2006 and won by a five percent margin.
2006: Birth of Robert Hunter Biden II
Beau Biden's son, Robert Hunter Biden II, was born in 2006
2007: Beau Biden Becomes Delaware Attorney General
Beau Biden served as the 44th attorney general of Delaware from 2007 to 2015.
2008: Beau Biden Introduces his Father at the 2008 DNC
Beau Biden introduced his father, Joe Biden, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention after Joe's nomination for vice president.
2008: Beau Biden's Controversial Handling of the Robert H. Richards IV Case
Beau Biden was criticized for his handling of the prosecution of Robert H. Richards IV, a Du Pont family heir, who was accused of sexual assault in 2008.
2008: Joe Biden Resigns from the Senate
Joe Biden resigned from the Senate in 2008 after being elected as vice president.
September 2009: Beau Biden Returns from Iraq
Beau Biden returned from Iraq in September 2009 after completing his year-long deployment.
October 2009: Beau Biden Considers Running for Senate
Beau Biden stated he was considering running for Senate in October 2009 but ultimately decided against it in order to focus on his role as attorney general.
May 2010: Hospitalization and Mild Stroke
In May 2010, Beau Biden was admitted to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware, due to complaints of headaches, numbness, and paralysis. He was later diagnosed with a mild stroke and transferred to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia for observation.
November 2, 2010: Beau Biden Wins Second Term as Delaware Attorney General
Beau Biden was re-elected as Delaware attorney general for a second term on November 2, 2010.
2010: Speculation About Beau Biden's Potential Senate Run
After Joe Biden resigned from the Senate in 2008, speculation arose that Beau Biden would run for the seat in the 2010 special election.
August 2013: Brain Cancer Diagnosis
Beau Biden was admitted to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in August 2013. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive type of brain cancer, after experiencing disorientation and weakness. He underwent surgery to remove a lesion, followed by radiation and chemotherapy, which stabilized his condition.
2013: Beau Biden's Cancer Diagnosis
Beau Biden was diagnosed with cancer in 2013.
2014: Beau Biden Announces Run for Governor of Delaware
Beau Biden announced his intention to run for governor of Delaware in the 2016 election in the spring of 2014.
May 20, 2015: Recurrence of Brain Cancer and Death
On May 20, 2015, Beau Biden was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, due to the recurrence of his brain cancer. Tragically, he passed away ten days later on May 30th at the age of 46.
May 30, 2015: Death of Beau Biden
Beau Biden died on May 30, 2015, at the age of 46 from glioblastoma.
November 4, 2015: Posthumous Albert Schweitzer Leadership Award
On November 4, 2015, Beau Biden was posthumously honored with the Albert Schweitzer Leadership Award, the highest recognition bestowed by the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation (HOBY). This award recognized his significant contributions to humanity.
August 2016: Highway and Center Named in Honor of Beau Biden
In August 2016, a ceremony was held to rename a highway in southeastern Kosovo as "Joseph R. 'Beau' Biden, III" in recognition of his contributions to the training of Kosovar judges and prosecutors. Additionally, the Major Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center in New Castle, Delaware, was named in his honor that year.
2016: Beau Biden's Posthumous Candidacy for Governor
Beau Biden planned to run for governor of Delaware in the 2016 election but he died in 2015 before the election took place.
2016: Beau Biden's Posthumous Candidacy
Beau Biden was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor of Delaware in the 2016 gubernatorial election; however, he died in 2015 before the election.
2016: Legacy and Recognition
In 2016, a part of the 21st Century Cures Act was designated as the "Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot" initiative as a tribute to him. Furthermore, a scholarship bearing his name was established at Syracuse University College of Law in the same year.
November 14, 2017: Publication of "Promise Me, Dad"
Joe Biden published his memoir, "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose," on November 14, 2017. The book reflects on Beau Biden's illness, death, and the impact it had on their family.
March 2, 2020: Joe Biden Mentions Beau in Campaign Speech
On March 2, 2020, during his presidential campaign, Joe Biden mentioned Beau in a speech. He drew a comparison between Beau and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who had just endorsed Biden's candidacy.
January 20, 2021: New Radicals Reunion in Honor of Beau Biden
During Joe Biden's presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021, the band New Radicals reunited for the first time in 22 years to perform their hit song "You Get What You Give." This song held special significance as it was a favorite of Beau's, and its lyrics were recited by his sister Ashley during his funeral in 2015. The band's decision to perform after years of declining offers was driven by their desire to honor Beau and his father's presidency.
