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 political figure, serving as the First Lady of the United States from 2021 to 2025 and previously as the Second Lady from 2009 to 2017. Married to President Joe Biden, she holds a doctorate in education and has been a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College since 2009. Notably, she is considered the first wife of a president or vice president to maintain a paid job throughout the majority of her husband's time in office.
2004: Opposed Husband's Presidential Run Initially
In 2004, Jill Biden initially opposed her husband running for president, but after George W. Bush's reelection, she urged him to run again.
May 2015: Death of Beau Biden
In May 2015, Jill Biden's stepson, Beau Biden, passed away from brain cancer, which she described as a "totally shattering" loss that significantly impacted her faith.
July 2020: Criticism of Betsy DeVos and virtual learning
In July 2020, Jill Biden spoke out about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, criticizing Betsy DeVos and emphasizing the need for a science-based strategy and a public school educator as Secretary of Education.
February 2022: Jill Biden Acknowledges Loss of Free Community College Tuition Item
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 any BBB bill and expressed her disappointment.
July 2022: Jill Biden Expresses Frustration with Administration 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.
July 2022: CNN poll reveals decline in favorability ratings
In July 2022, a CNN poll indicated a decline in Jill Biden's favorability ratings, dropping from 58% favorable at the time of her husband's inauguration to 34% favorable, and from 28% unfavorable at the time of her husband's inauguration to 29% unfavorable. This was attributed to her being more outwardly political and the general increase of partisan polarization.
August 2022: Jill Biden Contracts COVID-19
In August 2022, Jill Biden, who was fully vaccinated, contracted COVID-19 and went into isolation protocols.
January 2023: Jill Biden Undergoes Mohs Surgery
In January 2023, Jill Biden underwent Mohs surgery to remove two basal-cell carcinoma lesions from her face and chest.
September 2023: Jill Biden Contracts COVID-19 Again
In September 2023, Jill Biden contracted COVID-19 again.
February 2024: Concerns over Joe Biden's age
By February 2024, Joe Biden's age became a central topic of news coverage, and reports indicated that Jill Biden often sought to shield her husband from excessively long appearances or impromptu remarks.
July 21, 2024: Withdrawal from presidential election
On July 21, 2024, the withdrawal of Joe Biden from the 2024 United States presidential election was announced. Jill Biden had advocated for the announcement to be made on a weekend to preserve his dignity.
January 2025: Favorability ratings at end of term
In January 2025, as Jill Biden's term as First Lady came to an end, a CNN poll showed her with a 33% favorability rating and a 31% unfavorability rating with 35% unsure how they feel about her.
