Childhood and Education Journey of Hunter Biden in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Hunter Biden, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Hunter Biden is an American attorney and businessman, and the son of President Joe Biden. He co-founded BHR Partners, a Chinese investment company, and served on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian natural gas producer. His business dealings have been subject to scrutiny and controversy, particularly his involvement with companies in China and Ukraine, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to his father's political career. He has also worked as a lobbyist and in investment firms.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

February 4, 1970: Hunter Biden Born

On February 4, 1970, Robert Hunter Biden was born. He is the second son of Joe Biden and his first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden.

December 18, 1972: Death of Mother and Sister

On December 18, 1972, Hunter Biden's mother and younger sister Naomi were killed in an automobile crash. Hunter and his older brother Beau were seriously injured but survived.

1972: Death of Mother and Sister

In 1972, Hunter Biden's mother and sister died in a motor vehicle accident, an event that he believes contributed to his later addiction struggles.

January 1973: Father Sworn into U.S. Senate

In January 1973, Joe Biden was sworn into the U.S. Senate while Hunter and Beau spent several months in the hospital recovering from injuries sustained in the December 18, 1972 car crash.

1977: Stepmother

In 1977, Jill Jacobs Stevenson became Hunter Biden's stepmother.

1981: Birth of Half-Sister Ashley

In 1981, Hunter Biden's half-sister Ashley was born.

1992: Graduation from Georgetown University

In 1992, Hunter Biden graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Georgetown University.

1993: Marriage to Kathleen Buhle

In 1993, Hunter Biden married Kathleen Buhle after serving as a Jesuit volunteer at a church in Portland, Oregon.

1996: Graduation from Yale Law School

In 1996, Hunter Biden graduated from Yale Law School after transferring from Georgetown University Law Center.

May 2013: Biden's Application for U.S. Navy Reserve Approved

In May 2013, Hunter Biden's application for a position in the U.S. Navy Reserve was approved. At age 43, Biden was accepted as part of a program that allows a limited number of applicants with desirable skills to receive commissions and serve in staff positions. Biden received an age-related waiver and a waiver for a past drug-related incident; he was sworn in as a direct commission officer by his father in a White House ceremony.

2014: Pardon Covers Offenses

In December 2024, Hunter Biden's father pardoned him for all federal offenses committed between 2014 and 2024, including any potential offenses not yet discovered.

October 2015: Separation from Kathleen Buhle

In October 2015, Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle formally separated.

2016: Relationship with Hallie Olivere Biden Begins

In 2016, Hunter Biden began a relationship with his brother's widow, Hallie Olivere Biden.

2017: Divorce from Kathleen Buhle

In 2017, Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle divorced.

2017: Relationship with Zoë Kestan Begins

In 2017, Hunter Biden began a romantic relationship with Zoë Kestan.

August 2018: Fourth Daughter Born to Lunden Alexis Roberts

In August 2018, Hunter Biden's fourth daughter was born in Arkansas to Lunden Alexis Roberts.

2018: Relationship with Zoë Kestan Continues

In 2018, Hunter Biden continued his romantic relationship with Zoë Kestan.

May 2019: Marriage to Melissa Cohen

In May 2019, Hunter Biden married South African filmmaker Melissa Cohen within a week of meeting her.

2019: Intervention

Hunter Biden had an intervention in early 2019 due to his struggles with addiction.

2019: Relationship with Hallie Olivere Biden Ends

In 2019, Hunter Biden's relationship with Hallie Olivere Biden ended.

February 2020: New York Times Reports on Biden's Art

In February 2020, The New York Times reported that Hunter Biden had been painting as an "undiscovered artist" in his Hollywood Hills home. The report also displayed some of his paintings, including 'Untitled #4 (a study in ink)' and 'Untitled #3 (a signed work)'.

March 2020: Son Beau Born

In March 2020, Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen's son, named Beau in honor of Biden's brother, was born in Los Angeles.

March 2020: Paternity Suit Settled

In March 2020, Hunter Biden's paternity suit with Lunden Alexis Roberts was settled after a DNA test confirmed he was the father. He agreed to pay $20,000 a month in child support.

2022: Kathleen Buhle's Memoir "If We Break" Released

In 2022, Kathleen Buhle released her memoir "If We Break", which documents her account of her relationship with Hunter Biden.

If We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction, and Healing

Check it on Amazon

June 2023: Child Support Dispute Settled

In June 2023, Hunter Biden and Lunden Alexis Roberts settled their child support dispute. Biden agreed to give several of his paintings to his daughter, pay an undisclosed monthly amount in child support until she turns 18, and assist with college tuition. Roberts dropped her petition to change their daughter's surname.

June 2024: Hunter Biden's Role in Presidential Campaign

After a poor presidential debate performance by Joe Biden in June 2024 caused intensified public concern about his age and fitness for the presidency, Hunter Biden helped Joe with speech preparation and began joining meetings with the president and his staffers. Hunter maintained daily, often hourly contact with his father on calls and Hunter emerged as one of the strongest voices in Joe's circle urging him not to drop out of his reelection campaign.

December 2024: Presidential Pardon

In December 2024, Hunter Biden's father pardoned him for all federal offenses committed between 2014 and 2024.

March 2025: Secret Service Detail Withdrawn

In March 2025, Hunter Biden's Secret Service detail was withdrawn on the direction of Donald Trump, reversing Joe Biden's order for extended post-presidency protection.