Jill Biden: Educator, Advocate, and First Lady

Jill Biden (born 1951) is an American educator and the First Lady of the United States. She is known for her teaching career, advocacy for military families and cancer awareness, and authorship.

Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden (born June 3, 1951) is an American educator and public figure who serves as the First Lady of the United States. She is married to President Joe Biden and previously held the role of Second Lady from 2009 to 2017. As a lifelong teacher, she has combined classroom work with public advocacy, emphasizing education, military family support and cancer prevention.

Background and education

Biden earned a bachelor's degree in English and later completed a doctoral degree in education at the University of Delaware. She also holds master's degrees in education and English from West Chester University and Villanova University. Her academic training and professional experience shaped her focus on student retention, adult learners and community colleges.

Career as an educator

Before and during her public life, Biden spent decades teaching English and reading at the secondary level and working with adolescents who had emotional disabilities. She has taught in high schools and at community colleges, and she notably continued classroom work while serving in the White House, making her the first modern First Lady to maintain a paid teaching position. Her classroom experience informs her public messaging about the value of community colleges and lifelong learning.

Advocacy, initiatives and public roles

Biden has founded and supported several nonprofit efforts focused on health, literacy and military families. She started the Biden Breast Health Initiative to raise awareness about breast health in younger women and has been involved in programs that promote reading and mentorship. With former First Lady Michelle Obama she co-founded the Joining Forces initiative to support service members, veterans and their families. Other projects linked to her public life include community outreach and partnerships to expand educational opportunity.

Writing, public image and publications

In addition to her classroom and advocacy work, Biden has written for general audiences. She published a memoir and has authored books aimed at younger readers. Her written work, public speeches and interviews often center on themes of family, education and resilience. You can find more about her role as First Lady through official channels such as the Office of the First Lady.

Notable distinctions and ongoing interests

Professional identity: She identifies first as an educator, and that has guided many of her public priorities.
Service and advocacy: Programs she helped start include mentorship and health awareness initiatives, and she has supported the broader work of the Biden Breast Health efforts and related foundations.
Published works: Her books include a personal memoir and two children’s titles; see her memoir for personal reflections.

For a concise overview of her biography and activities, consult reputable profiles and official communications. Additional resources and background about her life and initiatives are available through public records and major news outlets that have followed her career and public service.