The United States is in mourning following the passing of Joseph R. Biden Jr., the 46th President of the United States, who died peacefully at his longtime home in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 22, 2025. Surrounded by his devoted family, Biden’s death marks the close of a life that spanned more than eight decades and half a century of public service. He was 81 years old.
The cause of death has not been officially released, though sources close to the family have indicated that Biden passed away from natural causes after years of health challenges and the toll of a long, demanding political career. His passing brings to an end a remarkable journey defined equally by profound personal tragedy and historic political triumphs.
From Scranton Roots to the Senate
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, into a working-class Irish Catholic family. His early years were shaped by financial struggles, resilience, and a strong sense of community. Seeking better opportunities, the Biden family relocated to Delaware, where Joe would grow up and begin forging the deep connection with the state that would define his political identity.
Biden graduated from the University of Delaware and later earned a law degree from Syracuse University. Ambitious and driven, he launched his political career by serving on the New Castle County Council.
In 1972, at just 29 years old, Biden achieved a stunning political upset by winning a seat in the United States Senate, making him one of the youngest senators in American history. However, his triumph was almost immediately followed by devastating tragedy. Just weeks after the election, his wife Neilia and their infant daughter Naomi were killed in a car accident, while his two sons, Beau and Hunter, were critically injured.
Biden considered giving up politics entirely but was persuaded to take his Senate seat. In a poignant moment that became a hallmark of his image, he took the oath of office at his sons’ hospital bedside. He began a daily ritual of commuting by Amtrak train from Delaware to Washington, a journey he would continue for decades to ensure he could be both a father and a public servant. This act of devotion earned him the affectionate nickname, “Amtrak Joe.”
A Senate Career Built on Resilience
Biden went on to serve 36 years in the Senate, building a reputation as a pragmatic deal-maker, a passionate orator, and a leader deeply engaged in foreign policy. Over the years, he chaired both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, playing central roles in shaping major policies on issues ranging from criminal justice reform to arms control and U.S. military interventions.
He was instrumental in passing landmark legislation, including the Violence Against Women Act, a bill that transformed legal protections for survivors of domestic abuse. Biden also emerged as a strong voice on international affairs, weighing in on pivotal moments such as the Balkans conflict, the Iraq War, and post-Cold War diplomacy.
Despite his legislative achievements, Biden’s career was not without setbacks. He launched two unsuccessful bids for the presidency, first in 1988, when his campaign collapsed amid a plagiarism scandal, and again in 2008, when he withdrew after failing to gain traction in the Democratic primaries.
Yet Biden’s persistence paid off. In 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama selected him as his vice-presidential running mate, praising Biden’s deep experience and connection with working-class Americans. Their historic ticket went on to win two terms in the White House.
The Vice Presidency: 2009–2017
As Vice President, Biden was a loyal and active partner to President Obama. He helped shepherd the Affordable Care Act, managed the Recovery Act in response to the 2008 financial crisis, and became a trusted envoy for complex foreign policy matters, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Biden’s tenure as Vice President was marked by his signature empathy and accessibility. His warm, gregarious style made him one of the administration’s most popular figures. Known for his ability to connect with ordinary Americans, he often spoke of his working-class roots and personal hardships.
Personal Tragedies That Shaped His Life
Biden’s life was marked by recurring, searing loss. The death of his first wife and daughter in 1972 was followed decades later by another devastating blow: the passing of his eldest son, Beau Biden, from brain cancer in 2015.
Beau, who had served as Delaware’s Attorney General, was widely regarded as a rising star in Democratic politics. His death profoundly impacted Biden and was a key reason he chose not to run for president in 2016. In Beau’s memory, Biden launched the Cancer Moonshot initiative, a campaign to accelerate cancer research and treatments.
These tragedies deepened Biden’s empathy, a quality that became a defining feature of his public persona. He often comforted grieving families by sharing his own experiences with loss, reminding them that grief and hope can coexist.
The Road to the Presidency
In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden announced his candidacy for president, presenting himself as a unifying figure capable of restoring stability and decency to American politics. His campaign emphasized themes of healing, unity, and empathy, resonating with voters exhausted by political turmoil.
Biden won the Democratic nomination and went on to defeat incumbent President Donald Trump in a contentious and historic election. His victory was hailed by supporters as a turning point for American democracy, though the aftermath was marred by division and the January 6th Capitol riot, which Biden condemned as an attack on the nation’s core values.
The Biden Presidency: 2021–2025
Biden’s presidency began amid unprecedented challenges. His first priorities were pandemic response and economic recovery, including a massive vaccination campaign and the passage of the American Rescue Plan.
He later signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the most significant infrastructure bill in decades, aimed at modernizing roads, bridges, and broadband access. On climate change, Biden rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement and pushed aggressive initiatives to transition the U.S. toward renewable energy.
Internationally, Biden worked to rebuild alliances strained during the Trump era, reaffirming U.S. commitments to NATO and other international partners. His leadership during the Russia-Ukraine war earned both praise and criticism, highlighting the complexities of modern geopolitics.
However, Biden’s term was also marked by deep political polarization, persistent gridlock in Congress, and concerns about his age and health. Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in his mission to govern with compassion and integrity.
Final Days and Farewell
In his final weeks, Biden reportedly spent time with his beloved wife, First Lady Jill Biden, their children, and grandchildren. Those close to him described his last days as peaceful and reflective, filled with family gatherings and quiet moments of prayer.
Plans are underway for a state funeral in Washington, D.C., where Biden will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, followed by burial in Delaware alongside his late wife Neilia, daughter Naomi, and son Beau. President Kamala Harris, who succeeded Biden, has ordered flags across the nation to be flown at half-staff in his honor.
Legacy of a Life in Service
Biden’s death has sparked tributes from leaders worldwide.
Former President Barack Obama called him “a brother, a partner, and the soul of America at its best.”
International allies praised his lifelong dedication to democracy and diplomacy.
Even political opponents acknowledged his resilience and ability to bridge divides.
For many Americans, Biden’s legacy lies not just in his political achievements but in his humanity. He will be remembered as:
A father who buried two children yet never lost hope,
A leader who comforted a grieving nation during a pandemic,
And a man who believed deeply in the promise of America.
Conclusion
Joseph R. Biden Jr. lived a life that mirrored the American story—marked by hardship, perseverance, and redemption. From the streets of Scranton to the highest office in the land, his journey embodied the belief that ordinary citizens can achieve extraordinary things through determination and service.
As the nation mourns, Biden’s own words offer a fitting epitaph:
“America is an idea. An idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. It instills in every person the belief that no matter where you start in life, there’s nothing you can’t achieve if you work at it.”
Joe Biden believed in that idea until his final breath. His legacy—of empathy, resilience, and unwavering faith in the American people—will endure for generations to come.
