Childhood and Education Journey of Joe Biden in Timeline

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

Joe Biden served as the 46th President of the United States (2021-2025). A Democrat, he previously represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. He also served as the 47th Vice President under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

November 20, 1942: Joe Biden's Birth

On November 20, 1942, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born.

1946: Family Purchased Home in Garden City

In 1946, Joe Biden's family purchased a home in Garden City, New York.

1953: Family Moved to Claymont, Delaware

In 1953, when Joe Biden was ten, his family moved to an apartment in Claymont, Delaware.

1961: Graduated from Archmere Academy

In 1961, Joe Biden graduated from Archmere Academy.

1965: Graduated from the University of Delaware

In 1965, Joe Biden graduated from the University of Delaware.

1965: Received Bachelor of Arts Degree

In 1965, Joe Biden received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware.

August 27, 1966: Marriage to Neilia Hunter

On August 27, 1966, Joe Biden married Neilia Hunter in a Catholic church in Skaneateles, New York.

1968: Clerked at Law Firm

In 1968, Joe Biden clerked at a law firm headed by William Prickett and identified as a Republican, later registering as an independent due to his distaste for Richard Nixon.

1968: Earned Juris Doctor

In 1968, Joe Biden earned a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law, though he initially failed a course due to plagiarism.

1968: Graduated from Syracuse University College of Law

In 1968, Joe Biden graduated from Syracuse University College of Law.

1968: Received Medical Deferment

In 1968, Joe Biden received a conditional medical deferment from the draft, reportedly due to having had "asthma as a teenager".

1968: Incumbent Declined to Run for Reelection

In 2024, after Joe Biden withdrew from the race, he became the first eligible incumbent to decline to run for reelection since 1968.

December 18, 1972: Death of Wife and Daughter

On December 18, 1972, Joe Biden's wife Neilia and one-year-old daughter Naomi were killed in an automobile accident in Hockessin, Delaware.

1974: Described Political Positions

In 1974, Joe Biden described himself as liberal on civil rights and liberties, senior citizens' concerns, and healthcare, but conservative on other issues, including abortion and military conscription.

1975: Met Jill Tracy Jacobs

In 1975, Joe Biden met Jill Tracy Jacobs on a blind date.

1976: Endorsed Jimmy Carter

In 1976, Joe Biden was the first U.S. senator to endorse Governor Jimmy Carter for president in the Democratic primary.

June 17, 1977: Married Jill Tracy Jacobs

On June 17, 1977, Joe Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs at the United Nations chapel in New York.

1980: Biden Loses American Samoa Contest

In 2024, Joe Biden lost the American Samoa contest to venture capitalist Jason Palmer, becoming the first incumbent president to lose a contest while appearing on the ballot since Jimmy Carter in 1980.

1981: Birth of Ashley Biden

In 1981, Joe and Jill Biden had a daughter, Ashley Biden.

February 1988: Surgery for Intracranial Berry Aneurysm

In February 1988, Joe Biden underwent surgery to correct a leaking intracranial berry aneurysm. While recuperating, he suffered a pulmonary embolism.

1991: Began Teaching at Widener University

In 1991, Joe Biden began co-teaching a seminar on constitutional law at Widener University School of Law as an adjunct professor.

2008: Ended Teaching at Widener University

In 2008, Joe Biden ended his time co-teaching at Widener University School of Law.

2008: Spokesperson Addressed Deferment

In 2008, a spokesperson for Joe Biden said his having had "asthma as a teenager" was the reason he received a conditional medical deferment from the draft in 1968.

May 2009: Visit to Kosovo

In May 2009, Joe Biden visited Kosovo and affirmed the U.S. position that its "independence is irreversible".

November 2009: Biden's Net Worth

As of November 2009, Joe Biden's net worth was $27,012.

May 2012: Statement on Same-Sex Marriage

In May 2012, Joe Biden's statement that he was "absolutely comfortable" with same-sex marriage gained considerable public attention. He made the statement without administration consent, and within days, President Obama announced that he too supported same-sex marriage, an action in part forced by Biden's remarks.

2013: Biden's Memory Lapses

In 2013, as part of an investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents, special counsel Robert Hur noted that Biden did not remember when he was vice president, specifically stating, "if it was 2013—when did I stop being vice president?" Hur also mentioned that Biden did not recall when his son Beau died, and assessed that his memory "appeared to have significant limitations".

2015: Death of Beau Biden

In 2015, Joe Biden's son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer.

2017: Biden Signs With Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Joe Biden signed with talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) from 2017 to 2020.

2018: Senate went Republican

In the 2024 general election, the Senate went Republican for the first time since 2018.

November 2020: The Bidens' Net Worth

By November 2020, the Bidens were worth $9 million, largely due to sales of Biden's books and speaking fees after his vice presidency.

2020: Biden Signs With Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Joe Biden signed with talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) from 2017 to 2020.

July 21, 2022: Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19

On July 21, 2022, Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 with reportedly mild symptoms. He was treated with Paxlovid and worked in isolation at the White House for five days.

April 25, 2023: Biden Confirms Reelection Run

On April 25, 2023, Joe Biden confirmed he would run for reelection as president in the 2024 election, with Kamala Harris as his running mate. A Gallup poll on the same day showed his approval rating at 37 percent, with the economy being the primary concern for most surveyed.

September 2023: COVID-19 Student Loan Pause Extended

In September 2023, Biden extended the COVID-19 student loan pause.

2023: Removal of Basal-Cell Carcinoma

In 2023, Joe Biden had a basal-cell carcinoma removed from his chest.

June 2024: Concerns About Biden's Mental Acuity

In June 2024, public concern about Joe Biden's mental acuity was widely covered by the media after a weak performance in a presidential debate. Prior to this event, coverage was limited due to pushback from White House officials. After the 2024 election Biden stated that he may have been too old to serve a second term.

June 27, 2024: First Presidential Debate

On June 27, 2024, the first presidential debate was held between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Biden's performance received wide criticism, with commentators noting he frequently lost his train of thought and provided meandering answers. Polling indicated that most viewers believed Trump won. The debate raised questions about Biden's health and age, leading to calls for him to withdraw from the race.

July 17, 2024: Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19 Again

On July 17, 2024, Joe Biden again tested positive for COVID-19.

August 6, 2024: Harris Becomes Democratic Presidential Nominee

On August 6, 2024, Kamala Harris officially became the Democratic presidential nominee. This event occurred after Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris as his replacement.

September 30, 2024: Student Loan Pause Protections End

On September 30, 2024, the "on ramp" period, which extended some protections against credit reporting, collection efforts, and late payment fees related to the COVID-19 student loan pause, ended.

December 2024: Biden Pardoned Hunter

In December 2024, Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, following his conviction on gun and tax charges.

2024: Biden in the 2024 Democratic Presidential Primaries

In 2024, U.S. Representative Dean Phillips ran against Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential primaries, campaigning as a younger alternative. Biden won the New Hampshire primary as a write-in candidate, and secured victories in South Carolina, Nevada, and Michigan. He won 15 of 16 primaries on Super Tuesday. On March 6, Phillips suspended his campaign and endorsed Biden. On March 12, Biden reached more than the 1,968 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination, becoming the presumptive nominee.

2024: Biden Promotes Economic Growth and Recovery

In 2024, during his campaign for reelection, Joe Biden promoted higher economic growth and recovery, frequently stating his intention to "finish the job" as a political rallying cry.

2024: Trump Defeats Harris

In the 2024 general election, Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris. Trump won the popular vote over Harris by 49.8% to 48.3%.

January 2025: Biden Claims He Could Have Defeated Trump

In a January 2025 interview, Joe Biden claimed he could have defeated Donald Trump had he not been persuaded to withdraw from the election, despite lagging behind Trump in polling.

May 18, 2025: Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer with Bone Metastasis

On May 18, 2025, it was announced that Joe Biden had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer with bone metastasis during a routine physical examination.

2025: Oldest Sitting President and Cognitive Decline Perceptions

In 2025, Joe Biden was the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. Perceptions of his cognitive health had declined, particularly among Republicans and some media figures, and privately by some Democrats. Biden's family and White House staff were noted to have been insulating him from scrutiny regarding his age and perceived decline in acuity.