Joe and Jill Biden have been married for 43 years — here's a timeline of their relationship

Talia LakritzAug 29, 2020, 01:59 IST

Joe Biden hugs his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, after speaking during the fourth day of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.Andrew Harnik/AP

Joe Biden had to propose to Jill five times before she said yes.
They have each written memoirs where they share the history of their love story.
They have been at each other's sides during celebrations, such as the inauguration in 2009 and 2013, and devastating losses, such as the death of their son Beau.
Jill has become a key member of Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.

It took some convincing for Jill Taylor Jacobs to agree to marry Joe Biden.

"Joe often tells people that I didn't agree to marry him until the fifth time he asked me," she said in a speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. "The truth is, I loved him from the start."

Through their 43 years together, Joe and Dr. Jill Biden have been at each other's sides through successes and failures, through joyful celebrations and devastating losses.

Keep scrolling for a complete timeline of their relationship.

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

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

June 17, 1977: The couple married after Joe proposed five times.

Joe and Jill Biden in June 1987. Getty Images

1981: The couple welcomed daughter Ashley.

Joe Biden with daughter Ashley. 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 and Jill Biden announcing his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. Cynthia Johnson/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Obamas and Bidens during a rally in Springfield, Illinois in 2008. EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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 in 2012. SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

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

Jill Biden looks at her husband as he's sworn in during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in 2013. Carolyn Kaster/AP

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

Joe Biden and Jill Biden leave following the funeral for their son Beau in Wilmington, Delaware. 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 "Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself." Johnny Louis/Getty Images

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

Joe and Jill Biden greet supporters and staffers at an event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2020. 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 bites the finger of his wife Jill as she introduces him during a campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Joshua Lott/Getty Images

March 2020: She 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 fights off protestors that got up on the stage during a Super Tuesday election night party in Los Angeles, California. Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

March 2020: She 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

They have been married for 43 years.

Joe Biden hugs his wife Jill Biden after speaking during the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention. Andrew Harnik/AP

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Joe and Jill Biden have been married for 43 years — here's a timeline of their relationship

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

June 17, 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 President 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: She 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.

They have been married for 43 years.