Meet Ashley Biden, Jill and Joe's social worker daughter poised to step into Ivanka's shoes

By MAILONLINE REPORTER

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Unlike Ivanka Trump, Ashley Biden doesn't appear to relish the spotlight, doesn't document her life on Instagram (she only has a private account), and doesn't appear to be angling for a role within her father's administration. Born in 1981 in Wilmington, Delaware, Ashley, now 39, is the daughter and only child of Joe Biden, 77, and English professor Jill, 69. Her father was first elected as Senator almost a decade earlier, so Ashley was born into the world of politics.

Unlike Ivanka Trump, Ashley Biden doesn't appear to relish the spotlight, doesn't document her life on Instagram (she only has a private account), and doesn't appear to be angling for a role within her father's administration. Born in 1981 in Wilmington, Delaware, Ashley, now 39, is the daughter and only child of Joe Biden, 77, and English professor Jill, 69. Her father was first elected as Senator almost a decade earlier, so Ashley was born into the world of politics.

Ashley has described how her passion for public service was 'in her DNA', thanks not only to her father's political career, but also her mother's work as an English professor. Pictured: Ashley Biden with her father, then Senator for Delaware, at an event in 2007.

Ashley has described how her passion for public service was 'in her DNA', thanks not only to her father's political career, but also her mother's work as an English professor. Pictured: Ashley Biden with her father, then Senator for Delaware, at an event in 2007.

Driven by her early interest, Ashley has pursued a career as a social justice activist and social worker. For 15 years, she worked as a social worker in the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, during which time she created programs that focused on juvenile justice, foster care, and mental health. Front and center: Ashley Biden, right, with her mother Dr Jill Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama watch as Joe Biden speaks on stage at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Driven by her early interest, Ashley has pursued a career as a social justice activist and social worker. For 15 years, she worked as a social worker in the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, during which time she created programs that focused on juvenile justice, foster care, and mental health. Front and center: Ashley Biden, right, with her mother Dr Jill Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama watch as Joe Biden speaks on stage at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

In 2012 she joined the Delaware Center for Justice as an associate director, focusing on criminal justice reform in the state. She helped establish and run programs and services at the center focused on public education, adult victim services, gun violence, incarcerated women, and community reentry. In 2014 she was promoted to Executive Director of the center, and served in that capacity until 2019. Pictured: Ashley and Jill Biden watch as Joe Biden speaks in South Carolina during the Democratic primaries earlier this year.

In 2012 she joined the Delaware Center for Justice as an associate director, focusing on criminal justice reform in the state. She helped establish and run programs and services at the center focused on public education, adult victim services, gun violence, incarcerated women, and community reentry. In 2014 she was promoted to Executive Director of the center, and served in that capacity until 2019. Pictured: Ashley and Jill Biden watch as Joe Biden speaks in South Carolina during the Democratic primaries earlier this year.

Three years ago, Ashley announced she was launching a passion project, a line of sweatshirts that benefited local charitable causes in Delaware, inspired by the death of her brother Beau. Its logo, an 'LH' with an arrow shot through it, pays tribute to him. 'We have to sometimes be pulled all the way down to shoot forward. He was my bow. His cancer brought me to my knees,' she told the Washington Post. 'I had no choice but to shoot forward, keep going, keep aiming at my own dreams.' Pictured: Ashley with her father at a 2016 cocktail party.

Three years ago, Ashley announced she was launching a passion project, a line of sweatshirts that benefited local charitable causes in Delaware, inspired by the death of her brother Beau. Its logo, an 'LH' with an arrow shot through it, pays tribute to him. 'We have to sometimes be pulled all the way down to shoot forward. He was my bow. His cancer brought me to my knees,' she told the Washington Post. 'I had no choice but to shoot forward, keep going, keep aiming at my own dreams.' Pictured: Ashley with her father at a 2016 cocktail party.

Foray into fashion: Three years ago, Ashley announced that she was launching a passion project, a line of sweatshirts that benefited local charitable causes in Delaware. Fashionista Olivia Palermo supported Ashley at the launch

The aim is to donate 10 per cent of sales to community organizations in designated Zip codes. 'The most effective social programs are in local communities,' she has said previously. 'They know best where funding should go.' 

The Bidens at the launch

Vice President Biden made an appearance at the New York Fashion Week event promoting the label, saying he was 'very proud' of his daughter. 

Ashley flexed her fashion designer muscles again last year when she created new uniforms for the Hamilton Hotel in Washington, DC, as an offshoot of Livelihood. Pictured: Ashley with brothers Hunter and Beau at the Democratic National Convention in 2012.

Ashley flexed her fashion designer muscles again last year when she created new uniforms for the Hamilton Hotel in Washington, DC, as an offshoot of Livelihood. Pictured: Ashley with brothers Hunter and Beau at the Democratic National Convention in 2012.

Ashley is married to Dr. Howard Krein, an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and a founding partner and co-director of Jefferson's Facial Aesthetic and Reconstructive Center. The couple met in 2010 after being introduced by Ashley's older brother, Beau.

Ashley is married to Dr. Howard Krein, an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and a founding partner and co-director of Jefferson's Facial Aesthetic and Reconstructive Center. The couple met in 2010 after being introduced by Ashley's older brother, Beau. 

Less than two years later Philadelphia-native Howard, who is 14 years Ashley's senior, popped the question in a romantic sunset proposal on top of a cliff in Big Sur, California, after asking Vice President Biden for his blessing. The couple married in the summer of 2012 at Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Greenville, Delaware, where Ashley was baptized. A rabbi officiated the inter-faith service, which reflected her Catholic traditions and his Jewish ones. The bride, who was walked down the aisle by her proud father, looked resplendent in a Vera Wang gown with a flattering sweetheart neckline and stunning tiered fishtail train.

Less than two years later Philadelphia-native Howard, who is 14 years Ashley's senior, popped the question in a romantic sunset proposal on top of a cliff in Big Sur, California, after asking Vice President Biden for his blessing. The couple married in the summer of 2012 at Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Greenville, Delaware, where Ashley was baptized. A rabbi officiated the inter-faith service, which reflected her Catholic traditions and his Jewish ones. The bride, who was walked down the aisle by her proud father, looked resplendent in a Vera Wang gown with a flattering sweetheart neckline and stunning tiered fishtail train.

Ashley remains a practicing Catholic and was granted a private audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican in 2016. Pictured: Ashley Biden with her father, mother and husband Howard in Singapore in 2013.

Ashley remains a practicing Catholic and was granted a private audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican in 2016. Pictured: Ashley Biden with her father, mother and husband Howard in Singapore in 2013.

Speaking to People magazine ahead of the nuptials, Vice President Biden admitted he was worried he might be overcome with emotion on the day. 'I kept telling Ash, we’ve got to open up the church and practice walking up and down the aisle so I can handle it,' he said. Pictured: Joe Biden smiles at his daughter Ashley in a photo taken in the 1980s.

Speaking to People magazine ahead of the nuptials, Vice President Biden admitted he was worried he might be overcome with emotion on the day. 'I kept telling Ash, we’ve got to open up the church and practice walking up and down the aisle so I can handle it,' he said. Pictured: Joe Biden smiles at his daughter Ashley in a photo taken in the 1980s.

As of June last year, Ashley had not officially joined her father's campaign. Unlike Ivanka, she prefers out of the spotlight and has not been an omnipresent figure on the campaign trail. However, there is no doubt Ashley is proud about what her father has achieved, once even introducing him on stage at the glitzy Father Of The Year Awards.

As of June last year, Ashley had not officially joined her father's campaign. Unlike Ivanka, she prefers out of the spotlight and has not been an omnipresent figure on the campaign trail. However, there is no doubt Ashley is proud about what her father has achieved, once even introducing him on stage at the glitzy Father Of The Year Awards. 

In recent months, Ashley has also taken on a more public role in the campaign and notably introduced Vice President Biden at the virtual Democratic National Convention, alongside her brother Hunter. 'He'll be rock steady... he'll treat everyone with respect no matter who you are,' she said in her virtual address. 'He'll love you with all of his heart,' adding that his whole family believe this because it is how he has treated his children and grandchildren.

In recent months, Ashley has also taken on a more public role in the campaign and notably introduced Vice President Biden at the virtual Democratic National Convention, alongside her brother Hunter. 'He'll be rock steady... he'll treat everyone with respect no matter who you are,' she said in her virtual address. 'He'll love you with all of his heart,' adding that his whole family believe this because it is how he has treated his children and grandchildren. 

Ashley also stood alongside her mother when Joe Biden at a primary election rally in South Carolina, wiping away a tear as her father delivered his speech. In August, Ashley lent her voice to host an event for Wisconsin Women for Biden to discuss the Women's Agenda released by her father's campaign, and to bring awareness to women's issues in the 2020 United States presidential election. 'I’m here today because I adore my father, but I also deeply believe he has the character and the vision to lead this country,' she reportedly said at the event. 'When I say I’m ready for a Biden presidency, it’s not just because I think my dad is the best person. With my dad as president, he will help us solve some of the great challenges of our generation. And he has the empathy and fortitude to help us address the racial and economic disparities that undermine all communities.'

Ashley also stood alongside her mother when Joe Biden at a primary election rally in South Carolina, wiping away a tear as her father delivered his speech. In August, Ashley lent her voice to host an event for Wisconsin Women for Biden to discuss the Women's Agenda released by her father's campaign, and to bring awareness to women's issues in the 2020 United States presidential election. 'I’m here today because I adore my father, but I also deeply believe he has the character and the vision to lead this country,' she reportedly said at the event. 'When I say I’m ready for a Biden presidency, it’s not just because I think my dad is the best person. With my dad as president, he will help us solve some of the great challenges of our generation. And he has the empathy and fortitude to help us address the racial and economic disparities that undermine all communities.' 

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