Jill Biden separated irreconcilably from her first husband, Bill Stevenson, in the fall of 1974 and left their marital home, according to a statement released amid renewed public attention. Stevenson, a local business owner at the time, had been married to Jill from 1970 until their divorce finalized in 1975.
The resurfacing of this information followed the death of Stevenson’s wife, Linda, which brought renewed scrutiny to Jill Biden’s early personal life. Stevenson publicly claimed that Jill Biden had engaged in an affair with Joe Biden while still married to him, statements that Jill Biden’s representatives have consistently denied. The marriage between Jill and Joe Biden began in July 1977, two years after her separation from Stevenson.
Joe Biden, who was a widower with two sons, Beau and Hunter Biden, married Jill in a ceremony that marked the start of their nearly five decades together. The couple also welcomed their daughter, Ashley Biden, in 1981. Jill Biden’s previous marriage and the circumstances surrounding its end have periodically appeared in media narratives, often accompanied by statements from Stevenson disputing his former wife’s current public image.
Bill Stevenson has voiced criticism of both Joe and Jill Biden over the years, describing himself as estranged from the people they became, and highlighting significant political and personal differences. He notably supported former President Donald Trump in recent elections, contrasting with the Bidens’ public political positions.
Jill Biden married Stevenson at the age of 18. Their marriage ended when she was 23, and she later met Joe Biden, who was then a rising political figure and had lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident. By the time Jill and Joe Biden met, she had already become a mother to Stevenson’s daughter from an earlier time, adding complexity to their blended family.
The Bidens have maintained their narrative of a long-standing, committed marriage, while Stevenson’s occasional public statements have kept questions about the past alive for some observers. The recent attention comes after the passing of Stevenson’s second wife, which some have connected with his renewed public remarks regarding Jill Biden’s history.
Jill Biden’s role as an educator and former second lady of the United States, alongside Joe Biden’s presidency, contrasts with the personal controversies raised by Stevenson. Official biographical records note the timeline of Jill Biden’s marriages, family life, and professional career, reflecting her journey from young wife to public figure.
