Meet Jill Biden

Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of presumptive Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden, is a veteran educator and a professor at Delaware Technical Community College. Jill Biden has a Ph.D. in Education. The Bidens were married in 1977, five years after Joe Biden's first wife was killed in an automobile accident.

Time Magazine interviewed Jill Biden during the primaries, where she shared her thoughts on campaigning and life on the trail:

What don't we know about your spouse?

Most people probably don't know that Joe has a romantic side to him.

What do you like most about the campaign trail?

On the campaign trail, I have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life -- from residents at a battered women's shelter to mentally handicap children to retirees -- and learn about their lives and struggles. It is both humbling to be welcomed into their lives and gratifying to think that Joe could help solve their troubles.

In an interview posted on the Essential Estrogen website, Jill Biden talked about life in the classroom, and her work with the Biden Breast Health Initiative:

"I think I am like the average American. I'm in a community college classroom. I have students who are working and going to school and have children. I think I'm dealing with real life every single day. I take that home to Joe and say, 'Look. These students can't afford college. They are having these problems. We have to change this. We have to change that.' I think what I do in my life experiences has a positive impact on Joe and, hopefully, it expands to have a positive influence on other people."

Jill's life passions are currently split between the Biden Breast Health Initiative and education.

"In 1993, I had three close friends who had breast cancer and, actually, one of those friends died," she said. "As an educator, my first thought was to what I could do. I mean, I'm not a medical person, but what could I do as an educator. So, I developed the Biden Breast Health Initiative. We go into the high schools and teach the young girls about breast self-exam, the importance of early detection, good breast health and health practices. Hopefully they go home and they talk to their moms and grandmoms or sisters and they practice [breast self-exam]. Early detection is the key."

HuffPost blogger Steve Clemons had this to say about Jill Biden before the VP selection was announced:

I can't wait until America gets to know Jill Biden. As down to earth and serious about education as they come. She's a working mom like many others around the country.

Comments

[Carsy]

03:51 PM on 09/20/2008

I like the fact that Jill Biden is 57 and isn't concerned about trying to look 37.

[mikebythesun]

09:51 PM on 09/04/2008

Community college students are the very people who have the most hope in their hearts. I am taking a class at my local CC as a pre-req for grad school, and recently got to survey a small sample of the students. Some are working two or THREE jobs and have children (and no spouse). It's AMAZING to see these people in the classroom, against all odds. Cheers to Jill for fostering education for people who truly want better lives.

[kellygrrrl]

12:22 PM on 08/24/2008

Michelle / Jill 08

Real Women!!!!!

[hd883scooter]

11:40 AM on 08/24/2008

So much can be learned about a person by the way they treat the most seemingly insignificant of people. Years ago, I was the counter girl that used to wait on Jill Biden. She liked our baked rice pudding with raisins and wasn't afraid to say so.
She is one of the most absolutely beautiful woman that I have ever seen. Besides that, she is gracious, humble and genuine.
It delights me to know that she may be our next Second Lady.
America should get to know this lovely woman. She is everything that we should aspire to be!

[strangerinthenight]

10:33 AM on 08/24/2008

I had seen many many pictures of Michelle Obama - she's has a high maintenance wardrobe. I have heard some of her speeches, but honestly, her high price wardrobe catches more attention than the substance of her speeches. I love the family pictures though. Both husband and wife look like they came out of a photo shop. Mrs Obama I'm sure will dazzle our eyes with her wardrobe. My Grand has books of Jackie Kennedy when she was at the White House. I find myself comparing Michele Obama with Jackie. Although both are high fashion - it's not the same.

I would loved to hear Mrs. Obama speak -- where her message is received and heard first, and her wardrobe, second; hear brain power speaks louder than her high fashion wardrobe.

Just my opinion.

But Jill Biden, she has that natural beauty and quiet elegance that shines even brighter. I like her already. I am just in my mid 20's, and 'am the sort of gal that wear jeans and T-shirt, but on occasion, wears high fashion bought on sale.

Obama made a very smart choice, Joe Biden from the small but prominent State of Delaware. And Jill, looks like the perfect wife and partner.

I wish both these Democratic nominees the best. Here's to the leading ladies.

Here's to Joe and Jill. I hope Joe Biden will give NEOCON what they deserve. A swift kick in the -you know what.

PS: i am not from Delaware.

[omaro]

05:21 PM on 08/26/2008

Michelle Obama admits to having a few higher-priced outfits by Chicago designers, but she gets a lot of her clothes off the rack. On The View, she mentioned that she had bought the dress she was wearing at one of those "Black and White" shops you see at the malls. I think she tends to look like she has a "high maintenance" wardrobe because her 5'11" frame makes her look great in clothes.

[ayiticherie]

09:18 AM on 08/24/2008

Look at that picture! You can not fake the LOVE when its REAL! Contrast that picture with the body language of McCain who barely acknowledges Cindy in public except when he wants her to pose topless for a pack of bikers or the space between Elizabeth and that's not my baby mama John Edwards. Love people. Its L-O-V-E.

[sherbug]

09:35 AM on 08/24/2008

You are so right. The love is obvious even after 30 years of marriage.

[Bulldoglover]

07:27 AM on 08/24/2008

The contrast between the wives of the Dems and McCains? PRICELESS.

[luvangelHussein330]

02:27 AM on 08/24/2008

I absolutly love that picture!! Obama Biden...two men who love thier wifes!

[ayiticherie]

09:24 AM on 08/24/2008

AMEN!

[notthistime]

10:56 PM on 08/24/2008

One house . . . one spouse

Obama/Biden 08

[kellygrrrl]

12:24 AM on 08/24/2008

We got your back, Girl!

Get in there and Fight!

Michelle / Jill 08

[chitown8]

12:21 AM on 08/24/2008

Biden and Obama really loves there second halves. You can see that in their eyes. That is how love is suppose to be. These guy really count on their wives and value their opinion. The Mccains look fake.

Got to respect that. Biden first wife story is a true tradegy. Mccain left his old bags. That might stick with folks emotions.

[afgail]

09:51 AM on 08/24/2008

The McCains ARE fake. How many couples do you personally know who started out their marriage with a legal agreement outlining how much of the wife's money the husband gets if he dumps the wife? How many husbands do you know who call their wives filthy names in public. How many real Americans do you know who haven't a clue what kind of car they dirive or how many houses they own? The McCain's are fake Americans. They are shallow aristocrats living off inherited wealth and completely out of touch with the realities of everyday life for 98% of Americans.

[anuevomi]

10:59 PM on 08/23/2008

I like her I hope her and Michelle get in there and change the education system in this country because it sucks.

[pupbayer]

11:14 PM on 08/23/2008

Jill Biden probably has the credentials to be involved with education policies but what are Michelle's credentials in education?

[laire]

11:24 PM on 08/23/2008

pupbayer,

I'm not sure about Michelle's credentials for education but she has been head of health non-profits and head of non-profits for new leadership and has as a law degree from Harvard so clearly she can do many things in the administration for this country.

[chitown8]

12:16 AM on 08/24/2008

Pup why do you hate Michelle?

The sista really got it going on. I dream I could be like her and I am 29 years old. She worked hard to get where she is. Stop hatin' on the sista!

[nadinesellers]

10:58 PM on 08/23/2008

First wives and for that matter second wives are witness and testament to the sanity of the politician.
Mothers and nest makers, educators and supporters are an asset to the electoral candidates.
Michelle Obama and Jill Biden are both grounded and steady women who shore up and connect with their men.
Real people for a real mess to correct at the big white house and beyond. And they won't cost a fortune to make-over or dress-up.

[brooklyncitizen]

12:04 AM on 08/29/2008

Yes and they don't come across as old-guard feminists that have their own ambitious agenda (ehrmm Hillary).

THey are modern women who are bright in their own right and also have created loving families without loosing themselves. THey are such incredible role models for all women- and the couples themselves are great role models for FAMILY VALUES. You know, husbands that don't hire prostitutes but treat their wives with R E S P E C T....etc.

[TrueThis]

10:41 PM on 08/23/2008

Smart and beautiful at the same time. I hope we see more of her after the November elections.

[mesut]

06:40 PM on 08/23/2008

Sen Biden mentioned he has a gorgeous wife. Looking forward to hearing more about her and their family. I like that Sens Biden and Obama have great respect for their wives. It's obvious in their actions towards their wives. Funny, I've never seen that with McCain especially offering his wife in a contest that was less than complimentary.

[bohdibell]

06:19 PM on 08/23/2008

Actually she has and Ed. D. Not that there is anything wrong with it!

[afgail]

10:18 AM on 08/24/2008

The wives of the Democratic candidates are working women in jobs that serve the public good. The wives of the Republican candidates have grown children and still spend their time primarily shopping and decoratoring multiple houses. Who do think really care about this country much less understand the lives or average Americans? Certainly not the McCains and the Romneys who live off inherited wealth. Ugh!