Biden family tragedy/ 1972 car crash anniversary/ Neilia Biden memorial/ Naomi Biden remembered/ St. Joseph on the Brandywine/ WILMINGTON/ Del./ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden honored the memory of his first wife, Neilia, and their infant daughter, Naomi, on the 52nd anniversary of their tragic car crash. The Bidens attended a private mass in Delaware, reflecting on the loss that shaped Biden’s nearly 50-year career in public service.
Biden Honors Late Wife and Daughter: Quick Looks
- Tragic Anniversary: Biden’s wife Neilia and daughter Naomi died in a car crash 52 years ago.
- Memorial Service: The family attended mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church.
- Biden’s Loss: The crash gravely injured sons Beau and Hunter.
- Life-Altering Moment: Biden nearly left politics but was sworn into office at his sons’ hospital bedside.
- Public Service Legacy: Biden reflects on nearly 50 years in elected office.
- Family Resilience: Jill Biden helped raise Beau and Hunter after marrying Joe in 1977.
- Ongoing Grief: Beau Biden, who died in 2015, is also buried at the church cemetery.
Biden Remembers Wife, Daughter Lost in 1972 Accident
Deep Look
President Joe Biden paid tribute Wednesday to his first wife, Neilia, and their infant daughter, Naomi, who died in a tragic car crash 52 years ago. The president, joined by his current wife Jill, son Hunter, and other family members, attended a private memorial mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church near his Wilmington, Delaware, home.
A Defining Tragedy
Neilia Biden, 30, was Christmas tree shopping with her three children when their car was struck by a tractor-trailer. She and Naomi, just 1 year old, were killed instantly. Biden’s sons, Beau and Hunter, aged 3 and 2 at the time, suffered serious injuries but survived.
“I got a phone call from my local fire department… ‘She’s dead. Your daughter is dead. And I’m not sure your two sons will make it.’”
He contemplated leaving politics but ultimately took the advice of his Senate colleagues. Biden was sworn into office at his sons’ hospital bedside and began his daily Amtrak commute between Delaware and Washington to balance his duties as a single father and senator.
A Family’s Resilience
In 1977, Biden married Jill Jacobs, who helped raise Beau and Hunter as her own. Together, they added daughter Ashley to their family. Jill Biden has often described their marriage as a story of healing and hope, saying that she and Joe helped each other rebuild their lives.
The loss of Neilia and Naomi left an indelible mark on Biden’s approach to public service, shaping his ability to empathize with others enduring personal hardships.
A Lifetime of Public Service
This anniversary comes as Biden prepares to close the chapter on nearly five decades in elected office, including 36 years in the Senate, eight years as vice president, and four years as president. His openness about grief and resilience has become one of his defining traits, helping him connect with voters and offering solace to families facing similar struggles.
“I know what it’s like to lose a piece of your soul,” Biden has often said, reflecting on his life experiences.
Ongoing Grief and Tribute
The tragedy revisited the family in 2015 when Beau Biden died of brain cancer at age 46. Beau is buried alongside his mother and sister at the St. Joseph cemetery, where the family gathered on Wednesday.
The anniversary serves as a poignant reminder of the personal losses Biden has endured and how those experiences have shaped his character and leadership.
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