Joe Biden

Joe Biden was born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a small city in the United States. He grew up in a working-class family. His father, Joseph Biden Sr., worked very hard to take care of the family. At times, the family had little money. But they stayed strong and close together.

Joe was the oldest of four children. As a boy, Joe had a stutter. A stutter is when someone has trouble speaking smoothly. Joe was teased by other kids. But he did not give up. He practiced speaking in front of a mirror and worked hard to speak clearly. Slowly, he got better and became more confident.

When Joe was a teenager, his family moved to Delaware. He went to Archmere Academy, a Catholic school, where he played football and did well in school. After high school, Joe went to the University of Delaware, where he studied history and political science. He later went to law school at Syracuse University and became a lawyer.

Entering Politics

Joe Biden loved helping people and solving problems. He wanted to make life better for his community. In 1972, when he was just 29 years old, he ran for the United States Senate. He was very young, and not many people believed he could win. But Joe worked hard, met many people, and shared his ideas. To everyone’s surprise, he won the election and became one of the youngest senators in U.S. history.

But soon after his victory, something very sad happened. Just a few weeks after the election, Joe’s wife Neilia and baby daughter Naomi were killed in a car accident. His two sons, Beau and Hunter, were badly hurt but survived.

Joe was heartbroken. He almost gave up politics. But he decided to continue, for the sake of his sons. He took his oath as senator at the hospital, beside his injured sons. He traveled every day from Delaware to Washington, D.C., by train so he could be with them at night. People started calling him “Amtrak Joe” because of this.

A Long Career in the Senate

Joe Biden spent 36 years in the Senate. He worked on many important issues. He helped write laws about crime, violence against women, education, and foreign policy. He was known for working with people from both political parties. He believed in finding common ground.

In 1977, Joe married Jill Jacobs, a teacher. Together, they raised Beau and Hunter, and had a daughter named Ashley. Joe always said his family gave him the strength to keep going.

One of Joe’s biggest strengths was his kindness. He often remembered names, sent personal notes, and called people when they were sick or sad. He believed in treating everyone with respect.

Running for President (and Failing)

Joe Biden wanted to become president one day. He believed he could bring people together. In 1988, he ran for president for the first time. But he had to drop out of the race after making some mistakes in speeches and having health issues. He had two brain surgeries but recovered fully.

In 2008, he tried again but didn’t get many votes. However, something big happened that year. A young senator named Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination for president. Obama chose Joe Biden to be his Vice President.

Vice President of the United States

In 2009, Barack Obama became President, and Joe Biden became Vice President. They worked together for eight years. Joe focused on many jobs: helping the middle class, working on foreign policy, and fixing the economy after a big financial crisis.

Joe and Barack became close friends. They respected and trusted each other. People often called their friendship a "bromance." In 2017, just before leaving office, Obama gave Joe the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the country. Joe was surprised and cried during the ceremony.

A Time of Loss

In 2015, Joe’s son Beau Biden died from brain cancer. Beau was a lawyer and served in the military. Joe was very proud of him. Losing Beau broke Joe’s heart again. He said Beau should have been the one running for president.

Because of his grief, Joe did not run for president in 2016. He needed time to heal.

Running for President Again

In 2019, Joe Biden decided to run for president again. He believed the country needed healing and unity. Many people supported him because they saw him as honest, experienced, and kind.

The campaign was tough, but Joe stayed focused. In 2020, he won the Democratic nomination and chose Kamala Harris as his Vice President. Kamala became the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian to hold that office.

Joe Biden won the election and became the 46th President of the United States in January 2021. He was 78 years old, the oldest person ever to become president.

President During a Difficult Time

Joe became president during a hard time. The country was fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people were sick and dying. The economy was weak, and there were protests about racism and police violence. Joe promised to bring calm, listen to science, and help people in need.

He worked on getting vaccines to people, helping families with money, and reopening schools and businesses. He also worked on climate change, helping Ukraine in its war against Russia, and making things in America again.

Not everyone agreed with him. Some people thought he was too old or too slow. Others thought he was doing too much or not enough. But Joe kept working, trying to be a president for all Americans.

What Makes Joe Biden Special

Joe Biden is not perfect. He sometimes makes mistakes when speaking. But many people like him because he never gives up. He has suffered great losses but always gets back up. He smiles, he listens, and he tries to help.

He believes in kindness, in second chances, and in the power of hope. He often says, “We are in a battle for the soul of America.” He wants the country to be fair, free, and full of opportunity.

Joe also says, “Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” This means he believes real actions matter more than words.

The Road Ahead

As of 2025, Joe Biden is running for a second term. Some people wonder if he is too old. But he says age is just a number, and experience matters. He still wants to fight for the people.

Whether or not he wins again, Joe Biden’s story is one of hope, courage, and service. He has lived a life full of ups and downs. But through it all, he has stayed strong, honest, and ready to help others.

He is a man who rode the train every day to see his kids. A man who lost a wife and daughter but kept going. A man who cried on stage and laughed with friends. A man who once stuttered and now gives speeches to the world.

This is the story of Joe Biden — a boy from Scranton, a train rider from Delaware, a father, a fighter, and the President of the United States.