Jill Biden

About

Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden, born June 3, 1951, is an American educator and the current First Lady of the United States as of January 2021. With a lifelong dedication to teaching, she has become a prominent public figure in her own right, advocating for education, military families, and cancer research. Jill is also known for holding a full-time professor position at Northern Virginia Community College, making her the first First Lady to maintain a paying job outside the White House.

Before Fame

Jill Biden was born in Hammonton, New Jersey, and grew up in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. She embarked on her teaching career after obtaining a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in 1975. She went on to earn two master's degrees — one in Education from West Chester University and another in English from Villanova University — before receiving her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Delaware in 2007. Before becoming the Second Lady of the United States during Joe Biden's vice presidency from 2009 to 2017, Jill had already amassed extensive experience as an educator, teaching at various public schools and community colleges.

Trivia

• Jill Biden is passionate about writing and has authored several books, including her memoir “Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself” and a children's book titled “Joey: The Story of Joe Biden,” which is based on her husband's life.
• She has become a notable advocate for community college education and has made substantial efforts to promote educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds.
• As First Lady, she holds the distinction of being the first to have a doctorate degree and to continue her professional career while serving in the role.
• Jill Biden has also been involved in various charitable activities and organizations, including the Biden Breast Health Initiative, which she founded in 1993 to educate young women about the importance of breast health.

Family Life

Jill met Joe Biden in 1975 and they married two years later on June 17, 1977, becoming the stepmother to his two sons from his first marriage, Beau and Hunter Biden. Their marriage would later be blessed with a daughter, Ashley Biden, born in 1981. The Bidens have faced significant personal losses, including the death of Beau Biden in 2015 due to brain cancer, a tragedy that has deeply influenced their advocacy for cancer research and support for grieving families.

Associated With

Throughout her life and career, Jill Biden has closely collaborated with several prominent figures. During her time as Second Lady, she maintained close working relationships with then-First Lady Michelle Obama on multiple initiatives supporting military families and educational reforms. As First Lady, she continues to work alongside various governmental and non-governmental organizations to further her causes, establishing herself as an influential and steadfast advocate in her areas of focus.

Jill Biden's journey from a suburban upbringing to the White House showcases her unwavering dedication to education, family, and public service, attributes that continue to define her impact on American society.