In the early 1970s, Democrat Joe Biden was considered the new hope of American politics, but then he experienced a series of personal tragedies, two failed presidential campaigns, and eight years as vice president in the shadow of Barack Obama.
Joseph Biden — biography
Joseph Biden was born on November 20, 1942, in Pennsylvania, to a Catholic family of Northern Irish descent.
Faith is of paramount importance to his worldview; he often quotes biblical passages in his speeches. Biden called his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination a battle for the soul of the nation.
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Biden became the second Catholic president in US history after John F. Kennedy.
Joe Biden in his youth
Joe Biden in his youth. Photo: Getty Images
At the age of 10, his family moved to Delaware. After graduating from college, Biden attended the University of Delaware, where he received a degree in history and political science. Three years later he defended his doctorate in law at Syracuse University.
In 1972, 29-year-old Democratic Party member Joe Biden became one of the youngest senators in American history.
Joe Biden — children and family
A few weeks later he suffered a personal tragedy — in December 1972, his first wife Neilia and 13-month-old daughter were killed in a car accident.
Joe Biden and first wife Neilia. Photo: Getty Images
Two sons were seriously injured, but survived.
Biden himself has repeatedly stated that he is ready to resign if work takes too much time.
— Voters can always find another senator, but my children can't find another father, — asserted Joe Biden.
In 1977, Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs, who heads the breast cancer society. They had a daughter, Ashley Blazer. She works as a social worker for the Department of Family and Youth in Delaware.
Jill Biden and Olena Zelenska. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
In 2015, the eldest son of a politician Beau Biden died of brain cancer at the age of 47.
Joe Biden — age
US President Joe Biden was born on November 20, 1942. If you calculate how old Biden is, he is now 81 years old. He will be 82 years old in late fall 2024.
Biden — political career
The first time people started talking about Joe Biden’s intention to compete for the presidency of the United States was in 2008. Joe wanted to compete for the Democratic nomination, but at the beginning of 2009 he withdrew from the primaries.
As a result, Barack Obama became the Democratic candidate, who offered Biden the post of vice president.
After Donald Trump came to power, Biden was replaced in his post by Mike Pence. During this time, Biden began teaching international diplomacy at the University of Pennsylvania.
The situation changed in 2019. Biden is among the contenders to represent the Democrats in the presidential election. In August 2020, at the national convention of the Democratic Party, he was approved as a candidate.
After the inauguration, Joe Biden, whose political career took off sharply, became the oldest president in history.
Joe Biden — facts
The former vice president is accused of being inconsistent in his decisions.
So, in 2002, Biden was among those who supported the US invasion of Iraq, but, having become vice president in the Barack Obama administration, he unexpectedly changed his point of view and opposed the war.
In the mid-2000s, the senator also opposed same-sex marriage, but already in the mid-2010s he officiated his first wedding ceremony. It was the wedding of a gay couple who worked in the White House.
How Biden feels about Ukraine
Before the full-scale invasion, Joe Biden promised tough sanctions against Russia and military support for Ukraine in the Donbass.
He openly condemns the actions of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and his policies of interference in the activities of many countries.
Joe Biden and Vladimir Zelensky. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
On the initiative of Joe Biden, the United States of America has repeatedly announced military assistance to Ukraine.
Recently, the United States stated that Ukraine could use American weapons to strike Russian forces located on the territory of the Russian Federation and not only near the Kharkov region.
