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 the former First Lady of the United States (2021-2025), married to President Joe Biden. Previously, she served as the Second Lady from 2009 to 2017 during her husband's vice presidency. Notably, she has continued her career as an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College since 2009, even while holding the position of First Lady, demonstrating her commitment to education.

Sections (4)

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

1988: Biden's 1988 Presidential Campaign

In 1988, during her husband's unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, Jill Biden stated she would continue teaching emotionally disabled children even if she became First Lady.

2004: Opposed Joe Biden's Presidential Run

In 2004, Jill Biden initially opposed her husband's presidential run, but after George W. Bush's reelection in 2004, 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 profoundly changed her life.

February 2022: Acknowledgment of Dropped 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 the Build Back Better bill, expressing her disappointment.

July 2022: Latino Stereotyping Incident at UnidosUS Conference

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

July 2022: CNN Poll Revealed Favorability Decline

During the first year and a half of being first lady, a CNN poll revealed that Jill Biden's favorability ratings had declined; in July 2022 the CNN poll showed Jill Biden with a 34% favorability rating and a 29% unfavorability rating.

July 2022: Expressed 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: Jill Biden Contracts COVID-19

In August 2022, despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, Jill Biden 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.

January 2025: End of Term Favorability Rating

As Jill Biden's term as First Lady came to an end in January 2025, a CNN poll showed her with a 33% favorability rating and a 31% unfavorability rating with 35% unsure how they feel about her.