Who Is Naomi Biden? Get To Know Joe Biden's Granddaughter
Former United States president Barack Obama's 2016 succession was quite a trip for the country's citizens. On one end, there was Hillary Rodham Clinton, a political powerhouse with years of administrative experience, and on the opposing side stood billionaire and often-controversial real estate mogul Donald Trump, who managed a single term. Soon after Trump's ascension, Obama's right-hand man, Joe Biden, somewhat expressed remorse that he didn't become head of state. "I have a regret that I am not president because I think there's so much opportunity. I think America is so incredibly well positioned," said Biden on Oprah Winfrey's "Super Soul Sunday" show. Still, Biden said running in 2016 wouldn't have been the best choice for his family at the time.
Of course, Joe Biden announced he would run for president in 2020, and he won the election, proving that the third time's a charm, after all. The more the spotlight shone on the man with the most powerful job in the world, the more the public's interest in his family grew. His and Dr. Jill Biden's son Hunter Biden, for example, was under scrutiny by the Republican party for his work ties to Ukraine, per The New York Times.
With two years in office as of this writing, another Biden is making headlines for all the right reasons. Wedding bells are ringing as Joe's granddaughter, Naomi Biden, ties the knot, and all roads are leading up to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Here are some facts about the bride-to-be.
She is named after Joe Biden's daughter
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that Naomi Biden isn't the first "Naomi" of her family. She was named after President Joe Biden's late daughter, who died in a car crash in 1972 at just 13 months old — along with Joe's first wife, Neilia — and would have been Naomi's aunt if she were alive today, per The Guardian. Joe's sons, Beau and Hunter (Naomi Biden's father), were seriously injured in the crash but survived.
President Biden recounted the fateful day he learned he'd lost his family in a 2012 conversation with the kin of fallen troops (via CNN). The horrid occurrence, he said, gave him an understanding of suicide from a subjective stance. While Naomi Biden doesn't often speak on the tragedy her family experienced, she opened up about her father Hunter in September 2020, after Senate Republicans released a report about his ties to Ukraine. In a Twitter thread, Naomi began, "Though the whole world knows his name, no one knows who he is." Speaking on her father Hunter and her late uncle, Beau Biden, she added: "They grew up with the weight of knowing that each day they lived was a day that their sister, my namesake, and their mother lost. But they had each other and that would be enough. They would make sure it was enough."
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Naomi Biden's academic and work background
Now in her late 20s, Naomi Biden graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 with a degree in international relations and affairs, and her grandfather even attended her graduation ceremony, per The Wall Street Journal. According to her LinkedIn profile, Biden obtained a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 2020 after three years of study.
Prior to earning multiple degrees, Biden held a number of jobs and internships, amongst them a three-month stint as a page in the United States Senate, another three months at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and a PR run at fashion powerhouse Tom Ford. In 2015, Biden interned at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Los Angeles, California. Following her 2020 graduation from Columbia Law School, she landed a job as an associate at a law firm in Washington, D.C.
Her relationship with her grandfather
Joe Biden is an engaging grandfather. Every day, when he's done being the leader of the free world, Biden makes a phone call to all his grandchildren, like clockwork. This information was made public by Naomi Biden's father, Hunter Biden, during an appearance on "CBS Sunday Morning." "Usually he calls me right before he goes to bed, just to tell me that he loves me," Hunter shared, adding, "He talks to each one of us."
In an interview with "PBS NewsHour," Naomi, alongside President Biden's other granddaughters, fondly described his commitment to family. "We've grown up together. He's made sure that every single tradition, every holiday, we're all together," she narrated. And the phone works both ways — "He will pick up our calls, no matter where he is," Naomi shared. It is perhaps this show of devotion that prompted Naomi to pen a light-hearted Instagram caption, "Anyone who wants to get to @joebiden, will have to get past us first," accompanied by a cute grandkids photo. She was equally hard at work during the 2020 campaign season, encouraging Americans to exercise their right to vote an interview with Cammie Scott.
Who does she spend time with?
That she comes from a high-profile family means Naomi Biden gets to spend time with an equally elite brood. She appears to be acquaintances with President Donald Trump's youngest daughter, Tiffany Trump, who was her classmate at the University of Pennsylvania. The pair was at Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York, for a 2018 event that included a performance by Jaden Smith (per Page Six). Also in the crowd were Andrew Warren, Nina Agdal, and Peter Brant Jr., amongst others. It's not clear how close Biden and Trump are at the moment.
In August 2022, Biden posted pictures of her bridal shower on Instagram. The colorful setting included numerous treats and the presence of friends and family. "Lucky to love and be loved by these ladies," her caption read.
As far as her crew goes, Naomi Biden has in the past shared photos of herself with her sister Finnegan Biden, new sister-in-law Betsy Neal, and Asha-Kai Grant, who is the yin to her yang. "Another year around the [sun emoji] with my partner in crime and sister in life," she captioned a carousel post featuring Grant in March 2021. In a January 2022 post, numerous friends and loved ones were displayed in a party scene on Naomi's IG, including Finnegan and Maisy Biden, and Kathleen Shriver (the granddaughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver).
She has many hobbies
Naomi Biden has plenty of hobbies beyond the political interests she tweets about. The law school grad spends some of her leisure time outdoors. She's made multiple posts about paddleboarding. "Contrary to popular belief, it's actually harder on your knees," wrote Biden in 2016, pictured kneeling on a paddleboard.
When she's not by the ocean, Biden might be found skiing in the mountains. In a 2013 picture posted on Instagram with the hashtag "arewethereyet," she was walking on a long path of snowy terrain. Her skiing pal in a 2017 Instagram photo seemed to have been overwhelmed, sprawled out on the snow while holding all their gear.
Alongside her partner, Peter Neal, Biden has been seen horseback riding and spending some of her summer days in Wyoming. It seems that Naomi Biden's love for adventure is really endless, but hopefully she isn't too daring. The presidential granddaughter posted a short video of herself and Neal quad-biking on the shores of an ocean with no helmets in sight.
Inside Naomi Biden's relationship with Peter Neal
Speaking of Peter Neal, Naomi Biden has been in a relationship with the law graduate, who was a White House intern, for several years. The couple's semi-private life together is still well-documented on their Instagram accounts. In August 2022, Neal shared a candid photo of himself and Biden in a garden, with the latter running behind him in black fitness wear. Neal also marked his fourth year with Biden in June by taking a selfie together at a restaurant and comparing it to one he snapped on the day they met.
Neal and Biden additionally are collaborators who put their education to good use with civic projects. A couple years into their partnership, the duo created a website to help Americans understand the government assistance available through the CARES Act during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of public appearances, the couple once attended a Ralph Lauren fall showcase at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Biden posted pictures of herself with Neal, each looking sleek in custom Ralph Lauren. She wore an all-white suit by the designer, and was in the company of sister Finnegan Biden. "Magical night at MoMA [star emoji] Thank you @ralphlauren," Naomi captioned.
She's planned a White House wedding
On November 19, 2022, Naomi Biden and Peter Neal made history. Their wedding ceremony was one of only 19 weddings to have ever taken place at the White House grounds, as of this writing. "Peter and I are endlessly grateful to my Nana and Pop for the opportunity to celebrate our wedding at the White House. We can't wait to make our commitment to one another official and for what lies ahead," Biden tweeted. The couple's engagement was a low-key affair at Neal's childhood home in Wyoming, with Biden subtly relaying the news through an Instagram post. According to AP News, Biden's family would incur all wedding costs, per tradition.
In light of her nuptials, Biden's mother, Kathleen Buhle, who's since divorced her father, Hunter Biden (via People), had words of wisdom for her daughter during a sit-down with Katie Couric. "The advice I've given her is to make sure that it's a relationship built on mutual respect and to keep the playing field as equal as possible," said Buhle.
The bride's grandmother, Dr. Jill Biden, shared her excitement ahead of the South Lawn ceremony. "I think that's one of the most special relationships I have in my life, is to be a nana. And it's just so special to watch, her name is Naomi, to see her really planning her wedding, making her choices ... she's just so beautiful. So I can't wait till all of you see her as a bride," Dr. Biden said on "The Kelly Clarkson Show."