The recent release of “American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden” by Katie Rogers, a New York Times White House correspondent, sheds light on the intimate and political dynamics of Joe Biden’s nearly fifty-year career in public service.
This detailed account offers a glimpse into not only Biden’s political decisions but also the personal moments that have shaped his public persona. The Guardian, discussing Rogers’ work, highlights an intriguing episode from 2004 when Jill Biden, clad in a halter top with the word “NO” emblazoned across her stomach, symbolically communicated to staff her husband’s decision against running for president at that time.
In 2004, during a gathering with supporters, Joe Biden openly expressed his disinterest in pursuing the presidency, a stance that seemed to align with the family’s private sentiments at the time. Rogers’ book also ventures into more personal revelations, discussing how Joe Biden humorously credited “good sex” as the cornerstone of a happy and enduring marriage, much to Jill’s embarrassment.
This candid remark underscores Biden’s approach to blending personal life with his political image, which he has managed carefully over the decades. The narrative also revisits a 1974 interview Biden gave to Washingtonian magazine, where he spoke candidly about the deep emotional and physical connection he shared with his first wife, Neilia.
This openness came at a time when Biden was grappling with immense personal loss—the tragic deaths of Neilia and his daughter Naomi. During the same interview, he reflected on the challenges of balancing campaigning with family life, ultimately revealing how Neilia’s involvement in his campaigns was pivotal to his political success in Delaware.
Biden’s reflections during these early years also included his views on remarriage following his bereavement. He expressed a strong desire to find love again and remarry, distancing himself from the image of a carefree bachelor, which he felt was misrepresented and not reflective of his true character as a family-oriented man.
The book captures the evolution of Biden’s personal life, including his persistent courtship of Jill, whom he proposed to five times before she accepted. Jill’s hesitations were rooted in her deep concern for Biden’s sons, Beau and Hunter, who had already experienced significant loss. She needed to be certain that their new family dynamic would be stable and enduring. The couple eventually married on June 17, 1977, and Jill’s integration into the Biden family was a cautious but heartfelt journey.
She told Vogue that throughout his political career, including campaigns in 1988 and 2008 and his tenure as Vice President from 2009 to 2017, Jill Biden remained an integral part of his life, balancing her role as Second Lady with her career as an English professor. The couple’s enduring partnership culminated in their move to the White House, where they began serving as the President and First Lady of the United States on January 20, 2021.
“American Woman” not only tracks the professional milestones of Joe Biden but also delves into the profound personal experiences that have shaped his approach to leadership and governance. Through intimate anecdotes and detailed accounts, the book paints a comprehensive portrait of Biden’s complex public and private lives, illustrating how his personal experiences have invariably influenced his political trajectory.
President Joe Biden, who has been married to Jill Biden for 47 years, says the key to a long and happy marriage is "good sex"
— DP 🇰🇪 (@DanChepta) February 25, 2024
Lesson well learned pic.twitter.com/beHRmCJ5ne
President Joe Biden kisses first lady Jill Biden before boarding Marine One to visit troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. pic.twitter.com/UBIhDddLO4
— Evan Vucci (@evanvucci) January 29, 2021