Jill Biden Reveals the 6 Words She Said When Joe First Called Her in 1975 — Inside Their 50-Year Love Story

When former President Joe Biden was given the number of a college senior after becoming a widower, he didn't expect her reaction to his call. While their initial meeting was a bit bumpy, she knew he was special by the end of their first date.

Before former President Joe Biden found lasting love with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, he had been married previously. Let's first revisit the marriage that brought him most of his children before exploring his romance with Jill.

Losing His First Love

Neilia Biden, Joe's college sweetheart, tragically died in 1972 in a car accident along with their one-year-old daughter, Naomi. A tractor-trailer collided with their station wagon, claiming their lives.

Soon after the tragedy, Joe spoke about the loss during a commencement speech at Yale University. He revealed that just six weeks after being elected as Delaware's senator, his "whole world was altered forever."

The former president shared that while hiring staff in Washington, he received a call that would forever change his life. He recalled, "My wife and three children were Christmas shopping, a tractor-trailer broadsided them and killed my wife and killed my daughter. And they weren't sure that my [two] sons would live."

His sons, Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III and Robert Hunter Biden, spent months recovering in the hospital. Joe was sworn in as senator at the medical facility. He explained, "The incredible bond I have with my children is the gift I'm not sure I would have had, had I not been through what I went through. . . . But by focusing on my sons, I found my redemption."

However, love wasn't off the table for the politician. A few years later, he met the woman who would become his sons' stepmother and the First Lady of the United States.

Meeting and Falling for His Second Wife

Three years after his devastating loss, Joe was introduced to Jill Tracy Jacobs by his brother. Joe later suggested that his late wife had something to do with bringing him and Jill together.

In August 2020, Jill shared a nostalgic photo of herself sitting in Joe's lap outside while he embraced her. She reflected on the first time he called her out of the blue on a Saturday in 1975.

The first six words she said to him were, "How did you get this number?" At the time, Jill was a college senior and had also been previously married.

She recalled, "I was a senior, and I had been dating guys in jeans and clogs and T-shirts, he came to the door and he had a sport coat and loafers, and I thought, 'God, this is never going to work, not in a million years.' He was nine years older than I am!"

However, their first date was a success. They watched "A Man and a Woman" at a movie theater in Philadelphia and connected immediately. When Jill got home, Joe shook her hand to say goodnight. She confessed, "I went upstairs and called my mother at 1:00 a.m. and said, 'Mom, I finally met a gentleman.'"

Although Jill thought he was a gentleman, Joe had to propose five times before she said yes. She explained, "I said, 'Not yet. Not yet. Not yet.' Because by that time, of course, I had fallen in love with the boys, and I really felt that this marriage had to work. Because they had lost their mom, and I couldn't have them lose another mother. So I had to be 100 percent sure."

Eventually, Joe gave Jill an ultimatum. He told her it was the last time he would propose and that while he didn't care when they got married, he needed a commitment. That was the push she needed, and she finally said yes.

The couple married on June 17, 1977, at the United Nations chapel in New York City, with a Catholic priest officiating. About 40 of their closest friends and family attended, and Joe's sons stood beside him and Jill at the altar.

They celebrated their union with a lunch reception at the Sign of the Dove. The couple then went on a honeymoon with the boys, explaining that the whole family was marrying one another.

Introducing His Well-Educated Wife and the Secret to Their Longstanding Marriage

By 2008, Jill, then 57, was a well-educated professional. She holds two master's degrees, from West Chester University and Villanova University, and a bachelor's degree, and a doctorate in education from the University of Delaware.

By that year, Joe's wife had been teaching for over 20 years, including working with emotionally disturbed teenagers. At the time, she was a professor of English at Delaware Technical and Community College.

When Senator Barack Obama selected Joe as his vice-presidential running mate that year, Joe introduced Jill to the world in a charming way. He said, "My wife, Jill, who you'll meet soon, who's drop-dead gorgeous. My wife, Jill, she also has a doctorate degree, which is a problem. [sic]"

After decades together, Joe has remained deeply in love with his wife. In 2023, during a CNN interview in Nairobi, Kenya, Jill discussed her role in their marriage.

She explained that she tries to maintain a "good balance" by offering Joe advice based on her observations and daily interactions, rather than directly influencing his decisions. The politician's wife said her teaching and travel experiences inform the insights she shares with him.

Jill added that her husband often broadens her perspective by presenting opposing viewpoints, something she considers one of his strengths. The interview was part of her five-day trip to Africa, which also included stops in Namibia and Kenya.

In a 2020 interview, Joe was asked to share the secret to his long marriage. Smiling, he said, "I adore her." Even though he thought it might sound silly, he described a moment when he saw Jill coming down the stairs and realized his "heart still skips a beat" when he sees her.

Joe has frequently shown affection for his wife over the years, including through social media. On January 20, 2021, the day he was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States, he shared a heartfelt video of the two of them.

The couple, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Jill supported her husband by grabbing hold of his hand. Joe captioned the video, "I love you, Jilly, and I couldn't be more grateful to have you with me on the journey ahead."

Fans reacted warmly to the couple's enduring relationship. One person commented on the throwback photo from 1975, writing, "Real people. Real family. Models of decency, resilience, empathy and service [sic] to others."

Another added, "Your love story is beautiful. ❤️❤️❤️❤️." A different commenter described them as a "Beautiful couple❣️." Someone else noted, "😍❤️ best couple ever since 1975 till now , this a great blessing. [sic]"

Joe's Cancer Diagnosis

Sadly, the Bidens are currently facing one of their most difficult trials. On May 16, 2025, Joe was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. A statement released by his office on May 18 confirmed that the cancer had spread to his bones.

According to the statement, Joe initially experienced urinary symptoms. After medical tests, doctors discovered a "small nodule" on his prostate. The cancer was classified as "characterized by a Gleason score of 9" and "metastasis to the bone."

The Gleason score is used to describe how prostate cancers look under a microscope, with nine and 10 indicating the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Joe's diagnosis is Stage 4, meaning the cancer has already spread beyond its origin.

The statement from his office added, "While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which [sic] allows for effective management." Joe is currently reviewing treatment options with his family and medical team.

In the days following the announcement, the politician shared a touching photo of himself, Jill, and their cat on social media. He addressed the diagnosis by writing, "Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support."

While Joe Biden and Jill get ready to fight against his diagnosis, their love story is marked by resilience, devotion, and shared strength through hardship. Their journey continues to inspire many around the world, and we wish them well.