Facts about Joe Biden

About Joe Biden

Joe Biden has been in the limelight for nearly half a century, having first been elected to office in 1972.

He is no unknown to American voters, who elected him as the 46^th President of the United States in November 2020.

Biden has been serving for 36 years in the United States Senate. He also served as Vice President of the US for two terms under Barack Obama.

Joe Biden is the father of four children namely :

• Hunter,
• Ashley,
• late children (Beau and Amy)

He's known for both his landmark professional legislation, such as the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, and his relatable blue-collar roots.

Biden's iconic aviator sunglasses, which he's worn since he was a lifeguard in the 1960s, are frequently the focus of viral memes about his alleged "bromance" with Barack Obama.

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He was capable of overcoming childhood stuttering.

Biden claims he was bullied mercilessly since childhood in Scranton, Pennsylvania, because of a "debilitating" stutter.

In a 2008 speech to the American Institute for Stuttering, he said, "I can think of nothing else that has ever deprived me of my dignity as quickly, as profoundly and thoroughly when I stammered in grade school."

In his 2008 memoir, he told about how a nun-teacher (female priest teacher) mocked him, calling him "Mr. Bu-bu-bu-Biden,". She also forced him to walk out of class one day.

Catherine Finnegan Biden, his mother, later approached the teacher, warning her, "If you ever speak to my son like that again, I'll come back and pull that bonnet off your head," he said.

According to Biden, he overcame his stuttering by reading and reciting Irish poems in front of a mirror, which allowed him to watch and manage his facial deformities.

He preferred poems especially composed by William Butler Yeats (W.B. Yeats). He can still recite long parts of Irish poetry from memory to these days.

He was a best football player in high school.

Biden, who played wide receiver and halfback for the unbeaten Archmere Academy football team in 1960.

He was a leading scorer on the elite Catholic school's undefeated football team.

In November 2020, one of his teammates, Michael Fay, told The New York Times, "He was the man who was the main pass catcher." “Throwing the ball was nearly a sin when we were seniors in 1960.

But in eight games, he caught seven or eight touchdown passes, which was a lot back then.”

E. John Walsh, Biden's former coach, called him "one of the best pass receivers I had in 16 years as a coach" in 2008.

He is a car aficionado (enthusiast).

Biden's father, Joseph Biden Senior, a former car dealership manager (Which dealt in old cars), financed a green 1967 "Corvette Stingray" for his wedding gift.

Biden kept this car maintained and the president still drives it. As a Christmas gift, his sons had the engine restored. “I love this car.

"Nothing but amazing memories," Biden stated in an August 2020 Twitter video. “ Every time I step in, I think of my father and Beau. “Would my father be able to drive a vehicle?”

He is a devout Catholic.

Biden, who keeps Beau's rosary in his pocket and attends Sunday Mass on a regular basis. He will be the United States' second Catholic president after John F. Kennedy. 

He included the Catholic song "On Eagle's Wings" during his November 2020 presidential victory address.

What he stated was important to his family and his late son Beau, who died of brain illness in 2015.

"It depicts the faith that drives me, and I believe it sustains America."

Before reciting verses from the song, he told the gathering, "I hope and I hope I may bring some peace and relief." "And he will carry you on the breath of dawn, raising you on eagle's wings."

He has two dogs

Champ and Major, B's two German Shepherds, joined him and his wife, Jill Biden, in the White House in January 2021.

The Biden family adopted Major as a puppy from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018. Champ, who was named by their grandchildren and is now 12 years old.

During his time as Vice President under former President Barack Obama, it spent time at the White House, visiting the Obama family in Washington, D.C.

Champ and Major may have a kitty roommate in their new home. After Jill Biden stated that if her husband were elected president, she would "love to adopt a cat." 

CBS Sunday Morning's Jane Pauley revealed in late November 2020 that the plan to adopt a cat was already in the process.

He had weekly dinners with President Obama.

During his tenure as Vice President of former President Barack Obama, the colleagues would get together for weekly lunch.

Obama and his vice president agreed as part of their collaboration that he would always consult his vice president before making a major decision.

According to The New York Times, Biden pledged his support in return. According to his friend and adviser Ted Kaufman, Biden stated, "You make a decision, and I will follow it to my death."

Before leaving office in 2016, Obama called Biden's selection as vice president the "single best decision" he'd ever made and given him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In a hospital, he was sworn into the United States Senate.

Following the death of his first wife, Neilia, and his 13-month-old daughter, Naomi “Amy” Biden, in a car accident in December 1972.

The newly elected United States Senator was sworn into office in January 1973 at the bedside of his sons Beau and Hunter, who were severely injured in the accident.

Biden, then 30 years old, was one of the youngest senators elected, though he had considered resigning after the tragedy.

He was eventually persuaded to reconsider by Majority Leader Mike Mansfield, and the Senate passed a resolution allowing him to be sworn in at the Delaware hospital.

Despite this, the then-single father pledged to leave if his Senate duties took too much time away from Beau and Hunter, and even took Amtrak to Washington.

“They can always get another Senator,” Biden added, “but my boys can't get another father.”

On June 9, 1987, Joe Biden launches his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in Washington, D.C.

He contested for president three times and lost all times

In 1987, Biden ran for president for the first time, but dropped out later that year.

His campaign had been rocked by controversy at the time, following the release of a video of Biden giving a speech at the Iowa State Fair in which he quoted U.K. Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock without attribution.

In his 2008 biography "Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics", he stated of the plagiarism charges, "When I stopped trying to explain to everyone and thought it through, the blame fell completely on me."

“Perhaps the reporters travelling with me had seen me repeatedly thank Kinnock, but at the State Fair debate, it was Joe Biden who missed to credit Kinnock.”

He later fought for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, but dropped out after finishing fifth in the Iowa Caucuses in January 2008.

In August of that year, then-Senator Obama announced Biden's addition to his ticket.

In November 2020, Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris were elected as president and vice presidency, respectively, in his third presidential campaign.

He had weekly dinners with President Obama.

During his tenure as Vice President of former President Barack Obama, the colleagues would get together for weekly lunch.

Obama and his vice president agreed as part of their collaboration that he would always consult his vice president before making a major decision.

According to The New York Times, Biden pledged his support in return.

According to his friend and adviser Ted Kaufman, Biden stated, "You make a decision, and I will follow it to my death."

Before leaving office in 2016, Obama called Biden's selection as vice president the "single best decision" he'd ever made and gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

'Chariots of Fire' is his favourite film.

President Joe Biden told Katie Couric in 2008 that his favourite film was the 1981 British historical sports epic Chariots of Fire.

“The problem is, there comes a point where personal glory and fame take priority over principles,” he explained.

“To me, that is the mark of true heroism, when someone does something like that.”

One of Biden's favourite parts in the film is when one of the key runners refuses to race on Sunday because of his personal faith.

Some FAQ about Joe Biden