Trusted confidante

Wife unhappy to share the spotlight

Jill Biden spent eight years serving as the second lady during the Obama administration, but her highly personal nine-minute live address at the Democratic Convention in August, from an empty classroom at the high school where she used to teach, was her first formal introduction to most of the American public.

A selfprofessed introvert, Dr Biden has always been reticent about entering the political spotlight, although she is often described as Joe Biden’s biggest defender and one of his best assets. She is also said to be one of his most trusted political advisers. The fast friendship between herself and Michelle Obama was said to be as strong as their husbands’ “bromance”, leading them to team up on education initiatives and the Joining Forces programme to support military families.

“Jill is not just brilliant, but she is kind. She is very funny, and she is one of the strongest people I know,” Mrs Obama said.

The 69-yearold first caught the attention of voters during this election campaign when she rushed to protect her 77-year-old husband after vegan protesters rushed on stage in Los Angeles in March. But during their 43-year marriage, she has not always been supportive of her husband’s presidential ambitions.

She has previously recounted how in 2004, when Mr Biden was under pressure to run for the White House, she was dead set against the idea.

As well as championing Mr Biden’s political career, she has been protective over her own: continuing teaching English at a community college during Barack Obama’s administration.

Dr Biden, who earned four degrees while raising her family, including a doctorate in education from the University of Delaware, said she intends to continue teaching besides her duties as first lady if her husband wins.