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President Joe Biden has another name that means a lot to him: Dad. On Feb. 3, 1969, his first son Beau Biden was born to late mom Neilia; a year and a day later, they welcomed Hunter Biden, and nearly two years after that, their daughter Naomi, who was tragically killed in a car crash at age 1 along with their mother. Joe became a dad once more nearly a decade later after remarrying wife Jill Biden, welcoming daughter Ashley Biden in June of 1981. And after losing young Naomi, and then grown son Beau to brain cancer in 2015, at age 46, President Joe Biden has never taken his role as a father more seriously. He proved throughout his presidential campaign how much his late son is still on his mind today, and how proud he is to be a father. On his son Hunter’s birthday, we want to celebrate President Biden for loving his kids so fiercely and openly no matter what tragedy befalls him.
One of President Biden’s greatest strengths is his ability to be vulnerable and express emotion, as he did when he asserted he was proud of son Hunter Biden for overcoming his addiction struggles on the 2020 presidential debate stage, or when he shed a tear thinking of late Beau’s lost political future the day before the inauguration. Seeing President Biden genuinely overcome with emotion is a reminder of his capacity for compassion and for grief — and in a president, we know how frightening an absence of those traits can be.
President Biden’s grandkids will be the first to tell you that POTUS is serious about keeping up with family, and these pictures of him as a dad over the years are photo-proof that he never missed a major moment. Read on for his best pictures with Beau, Hunter, and Ashley.
A version of this article was previously published in February 2021.
Biden Family (1972)
This rare photo shows Joe balancing baby Hunter and baby Beau in his arms while first wife Neilia smiles to his left.
Biden Family (1973)
After the accident that killed Naomi and Neilia Biden, 3-year-old Hunter and 4-year-old Beau were hospitalized for their injuries from the crash. Dad Joe refused to leave their hospital beds and was sworn in to his role as U.S. senator at the Wilmington hospital.
Biden Family (1987)
6-year-old daughter Ashley steals the show here, but the whole Biden family is along for the ride as Joe announces his (first) presidential run.
Joe & Hunter (1988)
Hunter Biden is just 18 years old here at dad’s side after his release from Walter Reed hospital.
Joe & Beau (2006)
Big smiles all around as Beau Biden celebrates his win as Delaware state attorney general.
Joe & Ashley (2008)
Very serious business is being discussed here: what to order at Boney’s Smokehouse.
Joe & Beau (2008)
Joe and Beau shared a hug onstage at the Democratic National Convention.
Joe & Beau (2008)
Beau looked so much like his dad here.
Biden Family (2009)
12 years ago, it was a very different inauguration day for Joe as VP — and with Beau at his side.
Joe & Beau (2009)
Beau Biden enrolled in the military in 2003, eventually rising to the rank of major. Here, he’s pictured smiling with dad Joe at Camp Victory in Iraq.
Joe & Ashley (2010)
Congrats, Ashley! Joe’s youngest picked up her master’s degree in social work at the University of Pennsylvania and got her diploma from dad onstage.
Joe & Hunter (2010)
Joe and Hunter take in the Duke Georgetown NCAA college basketball game in Washington.
Joe & Ashley (2012)
The best campaign speech prep Joe can ask for is a hug from daughter Ashley.
Joe, Beau, & Hunter Jr. (2012)
Three generations of Bidens graced the stage at this campaign event attended by Joe, son Beau, and his son Hunter Jr.
Joe, Beau, & Hunter Jr. (2013)
Hunter Jr. gets an early education in basketball via a game with dad Beau and grandpa Joe.
Joe & Hunter (2020)
Hunter was at his dad’s side every step of the way in his 2020 campaign.
Biden Family (2021)
This right here is a classic Biden family group hug with Jill, Joe, Hunter, and Ashley all holding on tight.
President Joe Biden Hugs Wife Jill, Son Hunter, & Daughter Ashley (2021)
The Biden family sharing this moment was so incredibly emotional. You can just tell from the look on Hunter’s face the pride and relief that the family was able to make it to this day in January 2021.
Joe, Jill, Ashley, Finnegan, & Naomi (2021)
This may be one of the sweetest snapshots of the Biden family: of US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Ashley Biden, and granddaughters Finnegan Biden and Naomi Biden posing for a selfie during Independence Day.
Joe Biden & Ashley (2022)
This snapshot of US President Joe Biden leaving the Holy Trinity Catholic Church with his daughter Ashley Biden shows you’re never too old to hold your papa’s hand!
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