Jill Biden is an American educator and the current first lady of the United States. As the wife of President Joe Biden, she served as the second lady from 2009 to 2017. Notably, she has maintained a career as an English professor throughout her husband's political career, becoming the first wife of a vice president or president to hold a paid job during the majority of their tenure.
Jill Tracy Jacobs was born on June 3, 1951.
In 1961, the Jacobs family moved to Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, a suburb north of Philadelphia. Jill's father, Donald, became the president and CEO of InterCounty Savings and Loan in Chestnut Hill.
Jill Jacobs graduated from Upper Moreland High School in 1969.
In February 1970, Jill Jacobs married Bill Stevenson. She also enrolled at Brandywine Junior College to study fashion merchandising, but later found it unfulfilling.
Jill and Bill Stevenson drifted apart, ultimately separating in 1974. Jill then returned to the University of Delaware to study English.
Jill Jacobs and Joe Biden met in March 1975 on a blind date orchestrated by Joe's brother, Frank. Despite their age difference, Jill was taken by Joe's demeanor and manners.
In May 1975, Jill's divorce from Bill Stevenson was finalized, concluding a turbulent period in her life.
Jill graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1975. Following her graduation, she embarked on her teaching career, starting as a substitute teacher in Wilmington before taking a full-time high school English teaching position at St. Mark's High School.
Jill and Joe Biden exchanged vows in a private ceremony at the United Nations Chapel in New York City on June 17, 1977.
Jill Jacobs married Joe Biden in 1977, becoming a stepmother to his two sons, Beau and Hunter.
On June 8, 1981, Jill and Joe Biden celebrated the birth of their daughter, Ashley Blazer Biden.
On June 8, 1981, Jill and Joe Biden welcomed their daughter, Ashley Blazer Biden.
Jill Biden earned her Master of Arts in English from Villanova University in 1987, marking another milestone in her academic journey.
During Joe Biden's 1988 presidential campaign, Jill maintained her dedication to her career, expressing her intention to continue teaching emotionally disabled children even if she were to become First Lady.
In 1993, Jill Biden founded the Biden Breast Health Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to providing free breast health awareness programs to schools and communities in Delaware. This initiative was inspired by the breast cancer diagnoses of four of her close friends.
Jill Biden began her tenure as an English instructor at Delaware Technical & Community College's Stanton campus in 1993.
Jill Biden strongly opposed the Iraq War and her husband's potential candidacy in the 2004 presidential election. She even went as far as interrupting a strategy meeting in a swimsuit with "NO" written on her stomach to express her disapproval.
In January 2007, Jill Biden received her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in educational leadership from the University of Delaware at the age of 55. Her dissertation, completed under her birth name, focused on student retention in community colleges.
In 2007, Jill Biden co-founded Book Buddies, an organization dedicated to providing books for children from low-income families.
After George W. Bush's 2004 reelection, Jill Biden encouraged her husband to run for president again. During his 2008 campaign, she continued teaching and joined his campaign on weekends, emphasizing education as her main focus as a potential first lady.
In 2008, Jill Biden concluded her time teaching at Delaware Technical & Community College.
When Joe Biden became Barack Obama's running mate, Jill Biden actively campaigned, showing support for military families with a Blue Star Mothers Club pin in honor of her stepson Beau's deployment. Despite not being a naturally gifted speaker, she connected well with audiences. Throughout the campaign, she continued teaching and grading papers on the campaign bus, demonstrating her commitment to education.
After becoming Second Lady in January 2009, Jill Biden continued her teaching career, accepting a position at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). This made her potentially the first Second Lady to hold a paid job while her spouse was vice president.
In May 2009, President Obama put Jill Biden in charge of an initiative to promote the value of community colleges, aligning with her passion for education.
Jill Biden's commitment to teaching was evident when she transitioned from an adjunct to a full-time faculty member at NOVA in 2009.
In 2009, Jill Biden became the Second Lady of the United States when Joe Biden assumed the role of Vice President. Notably, she also began her tenure as a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College.
Jill Biden delivered her first major university commencement address at the University of Delaware's winter commencement in January 2010.
In August 2010, Jill Biden made a cameo appearance on the Lifetime television series "Army Wives" as part of her efforts to raise awareness and support military families.
In April 2011, Jill Biden and Michelle Obama launched Joining Forces, a national initiative dedicated to supporting the needs of U.S. military families.
Jill Biden extended her support to USAID's FWD campaign in September 2011, aiming to raise awareness about the dire situation in the Horn of Africa, where millions faced famine, war, and drought.
Jill Biden's dedication to education led her to secure a permanent position as an associate professor at NOVA in 2011, where she continued to teach and inspire students.
In February 2012, Jill Biden participated in a "Community College to Career" bus tour to highlight the partnerships between community colleges and businesses.
In June 2012, Jill Biden released a children's book inspired by her stepson Beau's deployment and witnessed her daughter Ashley's marriage to Howard Krein.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden won re-election on November 6, 2012, securing Jill Biden a second term as Second Lady.
During Joe Biden's 2012 re-election campaign, Jill Biden maintained a less prominent role, continuing her teaching schedule and making fewer solo appearances. Despite her reserved approach, she remained a valuable asset to the campaign due to her ability to connect with key demographics such as military families, teachers, and women.
Jill Biden began her second term as Second Lady of the United States in January 2013, continuing her advocacy work and commitment to education.
Jill Biden continued her work with military personnel during her second term as Second Lady. She visited the Center for the Intrepid, attended the inaugural Invictus Games, and actively campaigned for Democratic candidates in the 2014 midterm elections.
Tragedy struck in May 2015 when Jill Biden's stepson, Beau Biden, passed away from brain cancer, a devastating loss that deeply affected her.
On October 21, 2015, Jill Biden was present at her husband's side in the Rose Garden when he announced he would not run for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 election. Jill was disappointed by this decision, believing her husband was highly qualified and would have been the best president.
During the Fall 2015 semester, Jill Biden continued to teach at NOVA, handling a full load of five classes.
In March 2016, Jill Biden headed the official party that welcomed American astronaut Scott Kelly back to Earth after his nearly year-long mission in space.
In 2016, Jill Biden continued to support her husband by joining him on a listening tour for Cancer Moonshot 2020. She also welcomed astronaut Scott Kelly back to Earth in March.
In February 2017, Jill Biden, along with her husband, launched the Biden Foundation to pursue causes such as preventing violence against women and supporting community colleges and military families. She was also named board chair of Save the Children.
In May 2017, Jill Biden gave the keynote address at the commencement for Milwaukee Area Technical College.
In June 2017, Jill and Joe Biden bought a $2.7 million vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, near Cape Henlopen State Park, where they planned to host family gatherings.
In July 2017, Jill Biden gave a keynote address at a California teachers summit, emphasizing the importance of community support for teachers.
In 2017, Jill Biden's time as Second Lady of the United States came to an end as Joe Biden's term as Vice President concluded.
In May 2018, Jill Biden gave a commencement address at Bishop State Community College in Alabama, encouraging graduates that if they could walk across the stage, they could achieve anything.
In February 2019, Jill Biden spoke to the graduating class of Newport News Apprentice School, acknowledging their complex life situations and multiple responsibilities.
In March 2019, Jill Biden was reported to be enthusiastically in favor of her husband running in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
On April 25, 2019, Joe Biden announced his 2020 presidential campaign, with Town and Country magazine highlighting Jill Biden as potentially his greatest political asset.
In May 2019, Jill Biden published her memoir, 'Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself,' which focuses on family aspects rather than political content.
After the loss of her stepson, Beau, Jill Biden's faith wavered, but she found solace and renewed belief through interactions with people during campaign events in 2019.
By 2019, Jill and Joe Biden reported $15 million in income since leaving the vice presidency, including $700,000 from Jill's speaking engagements. They also increased their charitable contributions during this period.
In June 2020, Jill Biden published 'Joey: The Story of Joe Biden,' a children's book highlighting her husband's bravery and adventures as a child despite his stutter.
In July 2020, Jill Biden criticized U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for advocating the reopening of schools despite COVID-19, advocating for a science-based strategy instead.
During the 2020 election season in September, Jill Biden made headlines by wearing Stuart Weitzman boots emblazoned with the word "vote," causing a surge in their sales.
In November 2020, Jill Biden announced key staff appointments for her role as First Lady, including Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón as chief of staff and Anthony Bernal as senior advisor.
In December 2020, Jill Biden faced criticism from writer Joseph Epstein in The Wall Street Journal over her use of the "Dr." title, sparking a debate about the recognition of professional titles for women.
Jill Biden played an active role in her husband's 2020 presidential campaign, taking a leave of absence from NOVA and adapting to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jill Biden was actively involved in the Cancer Moonshot 2020 listening tour with her husband.
In 2020, Jill Biden took a more active role in her husband's presidential campaign compared to previous ones.
In 2020, Jill Biden played an active role in her husband's presidential campaign and Senator Kamala Harris's selection as vice president. She delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention, highlighting the importance of unity and compassion.
On January 20, 2021, Jill Biden assumed the role of First Lady of the United States, marking her return to the position after serving as Second Lady.
On February 13, 2021, a photo of Jill Biden shopping for cupcakes in Washington, D.C. while wearing a scrunchie went viral, garnering significant attention online.
By March 2021, Jill Biden's fashion choices as First Lady, often featuring American designers and sustainable brands, became a topic of interest, with her press team opting not to comment on her attire.
Jill Biden, alongside President Biden, attended the 47th G7 summit in Cornwall, United Kingdom, in June 2021. During the summit, she collaborated with the Duchess of Cambridge to promote early childhood education, co-authoring an op-ed and engaging with primary school students.
Jill Biden embarked on her inaugural solo trip abroad as the first lady in July 2021, visiting Tokyo, Japan. During her visit, she engaged in diplomatic meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Emperor Naruhito, and showed support for American athletes participating in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
In September 2021, Jill Biden returned to in-person teaching at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), demonstrating the Biden administration's focus on returning to normalcy after the pandemic.
In October 2021, an online survey conducted by Zogby Analytics ranked Jill Biden as the seventh most popular first lady out of twelve recent first ladies.
In October 2021, Jill and Joe Biden traveled to Vatican City, where they met with Pope Francis. Their discussions centered around global issues such as poverty and climate change. Subsequently, the Bidens attended the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rome.
In October 2021, Jill Biden actively campaigned for Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for Governor of Virginia, delivering "last-minute stump" speeches in support of his candidacy.
In 2021, Jill Biden revived the Joining Forces program, an initiative focused on supporting military families, emphasizing the well-being of service members and their loved ones.
In 2021, Jill Biden became the First Lady of the United States when her husband, Joe Biden, was sworn in as President.
In February 2022, Jill Biden publicly expressed her disappointment over the removal of the free community college tuition provision from the Build Back Better Act, highlighting her commitment to education reform.
In May 2022, Jill Biden undertook a solo trip to Romania and Slovakia, where she visited Ukrainian refugees, particularly women and children. She extended her trip to Uzhhorod, Ukraine, marking the first visit to a war zone by a U.S. first lady unaccompanied by her husband since 2008.
A CNN poll conducted in July 2022 revealed a decline in Jill Biden's favorability ratings, which coincided with a general increase in partisan polarization and a shift in respondents' views towards "no opinion."
During July 2022, Jill Biden openly expressed her frustrations regarding the challenges faced by her husband's administration in addressing a range of issues.
During a July 2022 conference of the Latino advocacy organization UnidosUS, Jill Biden made a gaffe, drawing criticism for comparing the uniqueness of Latino Americans to tacos. Despite this, she remained a sought-after campaigner for Democrats.
In August 2022, Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19, experiencing a rebound case later on, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the virus.
By October 2022, Jill Biden had visited 40 U.S. states as first lady, surpassing the number of states her husband had visited during his presidency.
In January 2023, Jill Biden underwent Mohs surgery to remove two basal-cell carcinoma lesions, emphasizing the importance of health screenings and early detection.
In February 2023, Jill Biden made her first trip to Africa as First Lady, visiting Namibia and Kenya. She delivered a speech on democracy and women's empowerment in Windhoek, Namibia, and witnessed the impact of the Horn of Africa drought in Kenya.
During Women's History Month in March 2023, Jill Biden called on men to actively support and protect women's rights, highlighting the importance of gender equality.
In April 2023, Jill Biden faced criticism for initially inviting both the winning and losing teams of the NCAA women's basketball championship to the White House, a tradition usually reserved for the winners.
By May 2023, Jill Biden's travel record as First Lady exceeded that of her husband during his time as both Vice President and President, highlighting her active role on the global stage.
Following a controversial invitation gaffe, Jill Biden hosted the LSU women's basketball team, the 2023 NCAA champions, at the White House in May 2023.
In a historic first for a U.S. First Lady, Jill Biden, accompanied by her granddaughter Finnegan, attended the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May 2023, representing the United States government.
In June 2023, Jill Biden and her daughter Ashley attended the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and Rajwa Al Saif. Later that month, she visited Egypt, Morocco, and Portugal, focusing on youth empowerment and art.
In July 2023, Jill Biden traveled to Paris to deliver a speech at UNESCO, commemorating the official return of the United States to the organization.
In September 2023, Jill Biden contracted COVID-19 for a second time.
In October 2023, to commemorate the International Day of the Girl, Jill Biden hosted the inaugural "Girls Leading Change" event, acknowledging the significant contributions of young women.
In November 2023, Jill Biden shared that the inspiration for the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research stemmed from a conversation with women's health advocate Maria Shriver.
In February 2024, Jill Biden announced the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, securing $100 million in federal funding for women's health research and development.
In April 2024, it was reported that Jill Biden had been urging President Biden to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, expressing concern over the high civilian death toll.