Early Life and Education

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 and earned his law degree from Syracuse University in 1968.

Start of Political Career

Biden began his political journey by being elected to the New Castle County Council in 1970. Just two years later, in 1972, he won a seat in the U.S. Senate, representing Delaware. He served there until 2009.

Senate Tenure

During his long Senate career, Biden chaired both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee. He was instrumental in passing key legislation such as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and the Violence Against Women Act. He oversaw six Supreme Court confirmation hearings, including the contentious nominations of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Biden opposed the Gulf War in 1991 but supported the Iraq War Resolution in 2002. He also ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 2008.

Vice Presidency (2009–2017)

In 2008, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama selected Biden as his running mate. As Vice President, Biden became a trusted advisor to Obama, serving from 2009 to 2017.

Presidential Election and Historic Win (2020)

In the 2020 presidential election, Biden ran with Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential pick. They defeated the incumbent team of Donald Trump and Mike Pence, and Biden became the 46th president of the United States. Harris made history as the first woman vice president.

Presidency (2021–2025)

As president, Biden implemented major legislative initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges, including:

American Rescue Plan
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
CHIPS and Science Act
Inflation Reduction Act

He also nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Foreign Policy Actions

Biden took significant steps on the global stage:

Rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement
Oversaw the full withdrawal from Afghanistan, which led to a Taliban takeover
Imposed sanctions on Russia and provided aid to Ukraine following the Russian invasion
Supported Israel during the Gaza conflict, condemned Hamas, and backed a temporary ceasefire shortly before leaving office

Public Perception and Reelection Campaign

Biden’s age and health were recurring topics of concern; he was the first president to turn 80 while in office. Although he began with strong approval ratings, public frustration—especially over rising inflation (which peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 before falling to 2.9% by the end of his term)—led to a decline in popularity. After becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 election, his debate performance raised renewed concerns about his mental sharpness, ultimately leading to his withdrawal from the race.

Legacy and Current Status

Despite mixed public opinion during his presidency, historians and scholars generally rate Biden’s administration positively. He remains the oldest living former U.S. president.