Challenges in the Life of Jill Biden in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Jill Biden faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Jill Biden is an American educator and served as the First Lady of the United States (2021-2025) as the wife of President Joe Biden. Previously, she was the Second Lady during her husband's vice presidency (2009-2017). Notably, she maintained her career as a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College throughout her time as First Lady. She was the first First Lady to hold a salaried job during the majority of her husband's tenure and the first to carry on with her professional career outside the White House for the majority of her tenure as first lady.

Sections (4)

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

2004: Opposed Joe Biden running for president initially

In 2004, Jill Biden initially opposed her husband running in the presidential election due to her opposition to the Iraq War.

May 2015: Death of Step-son Beau Biden

In May 2015, Jill Biden's stepson, Beau Biden, passed away due to brain cancer. She described this loss as "totally shattering" and mentioned that she lost her faith for four years following his death.

July 2020: Speaking Out on COVID-19 Impact on Education

In July 2020, Jill Biden spoke out about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and criticized U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

February 2022: Community College Tuition Item Dropped

In February 2022, Jill Biden publicly acknowledged at the Community College National Legislative Summit that the free community college tuition item had been dropped from the Build Back Better bill, expressing her disappointment.

July 2022: Latino Americans Claim

At the July 2022 conference of Latino advocacy organization UnidosUS, Jill Biden claimed Latino Americans were as "unique" as tacos, and also mispronounced the word "bodegas." This Latino stereotyping caused widespread condemnation. She later apologized.

July 2022: Favorability ratings decline

During the first year and a half of being first lady, a CNN poll revealed that Jill Biden's favorability ratings had declined; compared to 34 percent favorable to 29 percent unfavorable during June–July 2022.

July 2022: Expresses Frustration with Administration's Challenges

In July 2022, Jill Biden expressed frustration with the challenges her husband has faced as his administration has sought to address a range of issues.

August 2022: Contracts COVID-19

In August 2022, Jill Biden, who was fully vaccinated with two booster shots, contracted COVID-19 and went into isolation protocols.

April 2023: Invitation to Iowa Hawkeyes

In April 2023, Jill Biden committed an "unforced error" by extending an invitation to the losing Iowa Hawkeyes to the White House after the 2023 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament championship game, which is traditionally only extended to the winners. The offer was later rescinded.

September 2023: Contracts COVID-19 Again

In September 2023, Jill Biden contracted COVID-19 again.

February 2024: Jill Biden often sought to shield her husband

By February 2024, reports indicated that Jill Biden often sought to shield her husband from excessively long appearances or making impromptu remarks, as Joe Biden's age and associated frailties became a central topic of news coverage.

July 21, 2024: Withdrawal from the 2024 United States presidential election

On July 21, 2024, the withdrawal of Joe Biden from the 2024 United States presidential election was announced, a decision that Jill Biden had advocated for to preserve his dignity. She subsequently publicly thanked her husband's supporters and urged them to work for the candidate he had endorsed, Vice President Kamala Harris.

2024: The Bidens returned to Delaware

In 2024, the Bidens returned to Delaware. The presidential loss in 2024 had come amid a series of defeats for Democrats at multiple electoral levels and vote-share declines in many demographics, and occasioned considerable soul-searching about what had gone wrong.

May 2025: Accusation of "elder abuse"

In May 2025, Leo Terrell suggested that Jill Biden should face criminal charges for "elder abuse." He argued that she was aware of President Joe Biden’s health issues yet remained silent during his reelection campaign.