Jill Biden says she will 'continue to fight' for Joe Biden after his disastrous debate. Here's a timeline of their relationship.

Talia LakritzJul 5, 2024, 20:50 IST

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.Andrew Harnik/AP

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have been married for 47 years.
Joe had to propose five times before she said yes. They eventually married in 1977.

Over the course of their 47-year marriage, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have celebrated triumphant victories and milestones as well as setbacks and devastating losses.

Jill has continued to champion her husband's 2024 reelection campaign despite his disastrous debate performance that raised further questions about his age and fitness for a second term.

The president often refers to Jill as "the love of my life and the life of my love." Here's a timeline of their love story.

This story was originally published in 2020. It was updated in 2022 and again in 2024.

1975: Joe Biden's brother introduced him to Jill Taylor Jacobs.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden in the early days of their relationship.Office of United States Senator Joe Biden

1977: The couple married after Joe proposed five times.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden at a campaign event.Getty Images

1981: The couple welcomed daughter Ashley.

Joe Biden with daughter Ashley Biden.Bill Ballenberg/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

June 1987: When Joe announced his candidacy for president, Jill was by his side.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden at an event announcing his presidential run.Cynthia Johnson/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images

September 1987: They presented a united front when he withdrew from the race.

Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race.Arnie Sachs/CNP/Getty Images

1988: Joe had two brain aneurysms. The couple posed outside the hospital when he was discharged after the first of two operations.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after he was discharged.Pam Price/AP

January 2007: Jill earned her PhD in education from the University of Delaware. At the graduation, Joe handed Jill her doctorate.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden on the campaign trail.Mark Wilson/Getty Images

July 2007: Joe wrote about his love for Jill in his memoir, "Promises to Keep."

Joe Biden released "Promises to Keep" in 2007.Charles Dharapak/AP

2008: Barack Obama chose Joe as his running mate, and the two families developed a close bond.

The Obamas and Bidens at a rally in Illinois.EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

2009: Jill held the family's Bible when her husband was sworn in as vice president.

Joe Biden was sworn in as vice president in 2009.Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

February 2010: On Valentine's Day, Joe surprised her with a tree swing marked with a commemorative plaque on the grounds of the vice president's residence.

The plaque on a tree on the grounds of the vice president's residence.Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images

March 2010: They took diplomatic trips together, such as their visit to Israel.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden arrive in Israel.BAZ RATNER/AFP via Getty Images

September 2012: Jill elicited giggles when she told a crowd in New Hampshire, "I've seen Joe up close."

Jill Biden introduced Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2012.Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

September 2012: At the Democratic National Convention, Jill spoke about Joe's support for her career and his strength in the face of loss.

Joe Biden embraces Jill Biden at the Democratic National Convention.SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

2013: When Obama won a second term, Jill held the Bible again when Joe was sworn in at the inauguration.

Jill Biden held the Bible during Joe Biden's 2013 inauguration as vice president.Carolyn Kaster/AP

2015: Tragedy struck when their son Beau Biden died of brain cancer.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden at their son Beau Biden's funeral.Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Pool/Reuters

2019: Jill released her own book, "Where The Light Enters," in which she wrote about falling in love with Joe in the early days of their relationship.

Jill Biden's book.Johnny Louis/Getty Images

April 2019: When Joe entered the 2020 presidential race, Jill became an important voice in his campaign.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden at a campaign event in Philadelphia.Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images

December 2019: In an unusual campaign stop moment, Joe nibbled on his wife's finger as she spoke to a crowd in Iowa.

Joe Biden bit Jill Biden's finger as she spoke at a campaign event.Joshua Lott/Getty Images

March 2020: Jill fought off protesters who stormed the stage on Super Tuesday, leading Joe to joke, "I'm probably the only candidate running for president whose wife is my Secret Service."

Jill Biden fought off protestors that rushed the stage during a Super Tuesday election night party.Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

March 2020: Jill fought off protesters who stormed the stage on Super Tuesday, leading Joe to joke, "I'm probably the only candidate running for president whose wife is my Secret Service."

August 2020: Jill delivered a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention from the high school classroom in Delaware where she used to teach English.

A screenshot from the livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.Handout/DNCC via Getty Images

November 2020: Joe won the presidential election, and called himself "Jill's husband" in his victory speech.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden waved to the crowds after his victory speech.ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

December 2020: After a Wall Street Journal op-ed urged her to drop her "Dr" title since she's not a medical doctor, Jill remained proud of her doctorate, and Joe backed her up.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden in an interview with Stephen Colbert.CBS

December 2020: After a Wall Street Journal op-ed urged her to drop her "Dr" title since she's not a medical doctor, Jill remained proud of her doctorate, and Joe backed her up.

January 2020: Jill held the Biden family Bible for Joe's inauguration as president of the United States.

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS

April 2021: Joe stopped to pick a dandelion for Jill on the White House lawn as they boarded Marine One.

Joe Biden handed Jill Biden a flower on the White House Ellipse.Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images

December 2021: They welcomed a new German shepherd puppy, Commander.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden pet Commander.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

February 2022: Jill was spotted wearing a corsage from Joe in a sweet Valentine's Day tradition.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden on Valentine's Day.Alex Wong/Getty Images

May 2022: In a cover story for Harper's Bazaar, Jill said she and Joe fight over text, or "fext," to avoid arguing in front of their Secret Service detail.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden at a White House reception.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

June 2022: They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden rode bikes in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

2023: Joe announced he would run for reelection in 2024.

Joe Biden and Jill Biden at the White House.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

2024: Jill defended Joe after his disastrous presidential debate against Donald Trump.

Jill Biden spoke after Joe Biden's first 2024 debate against Donald Trump.Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Photos show Americans' horrified reactions to the Biden-Trump debate

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Jill Biden says she will 'continue to fight' for Joe Biden after his disastrous debate. Here's a timeline of their relationship.

1975: Joe Biden's brother introduced him to Jill Taylor Jacobs.

1977: The couple married after Joe proposed five times.

1981: The couple welcomed daughter Ashley.

June 1987: When Joe announced his candidacy for president, Jill was by his side.

September 1987: They presented a united front when he withdrew from the race.

1988: Joe had two brain aneurysms. The couple posed outside the hospital when he was discharged after the first of two operations.

January 2007: Jill earned her PhD in education from the University of Delaware. At the graduation, Joe handed Jill her doctorate.

July 2007: Joe wrote about his love for Jill in his memoir, "Promises to Keep."

2008: Barack Obama chose Joe as his running mate, and the two families developed a close bond.

2009: Jill held the family's Bible when her husband was sworn in as vice president.

February 2010: On Valentine's Day, Joe surprised her with a tree swing marked with a commemorative plaque on the grounds of the vice president's residence.

March 2010: They took diplomatic trips together, such as their visit to Israel.

September 2012: Jill elicited giggles when she told a crowd in New Hampshire, "I've seen Joe up close."

September 2012: At the Democratic National Convention, Jill spoke about Joe's support for her career and his strength in the face of loss.

2013: When Obama won a second term, Jill held the Bible again when Joe was sworn in at the inauguration.

2015: Tragedy struck when their son Beau Biden died of brain cancer.

2019: Jill released her own book, "Where The Light Enters," in which she wrote about falling in love with Joe in the early days of their relationship.

April 2019: When Joe entered the 2020 presidential race, Jill became an important voice in his campaign.

December 2019: In an unusual campaign stop moment, Joe nibbled on his wife's finger as she spoke to a crowd in Iowa.

March 2020: Jill fought off protesters who stormed the stage on Super Tuesday, leading Joe to joke, "I'm probably the only candidate running for president whose wife is my Secret Service."

August 2020: Jill delivered a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention from the high school classroom in Delaware where she used to teach English.

November 2020: Joe won the presidential election, and called himself "Jill's husband" in his victory speech.

December 2020: After a Wall Street Journal op-ed urged her to drop her "Dr" title since she's not a medical doctor, Jill remained proud of her doctorate, and Joe backed her up.

January 2020: Jill held the Biden family Bible for Joe's inauguration as president of the United States.

April 2021: Joe stopped to pick a dandelion for Jill on the White House lawn as they boarded Marine One.

December 2021: They welcomed a new German shepherd puppy, Commander.

February 2022: Jill was spotted wearing a corsage from Joe in a sweet Valentine's Day tradition.

May 2022: In a cover story for Harper's Bazaar, Jill said she and Joe fight over text, or "fext," to avoid arguing in front of their Secret Service detail.

June 2022: They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

2023: Joe announced he would run for reelection in 2024.

2024: Jill defended Joe after his disastrous presidential debate against Donald Trump.