On December 18, 1972, just weeks after his election as junior senator for Delaware, Joe Biden experienced a devastating personal tragedy. His first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden, and their infant daughter, Naomi Biden, were killed in a car accident. This event profoundly shaped Biden’s life and career, and understanding the details of this tragedy provides crucial context to his personal narrative.
The fatal car accident occurred while Neilia Biden was driving with her three children – Beau, Hunter, and Naomi – to purchase a Christmas tree. Their Chevrolet station wagon was struck by a tractor-trailer at a rural intersection in Hockessin, Delaware. Tragically, Neilia and 13-month-old Naomi succumbed to their injuries from the collision.
Joe Biden, then just 30 years old, was in Washington, D.C., interviewing staff for his new Senate office when he received the devastating news. The accident left Beau, age 4, with multiple broken bones and Hunter, age 3, with a fractured skull. Despite the severity of the crash and subsequent investigations, no fault was assigned to either driver involved in the accident, indicating it was a truly unforeseen tragedy.
In the face of immense grief, Biden considered resigning from his newly won Senate seat to care for his surviving sons. However, demonstrating remarkable resilience, he chose to serve. In a poignant testament to his commitment to both his family and his duty, Biden was sworn in as a U.S. Senator on January 5, 1973, at his sons’ hospital bedside in Wilmington.
Throughout his Senate career, Biden prioritized his family, famously commuting daily from Wilmington to Washington, D.C. This allowed him to be present in his sons’ lives, ensuring he could kiss them good morning and goodnight, despite his demanding political career. This commitment to family in the face of personal tragedy became a defining aspect of his public image.
In a 2015 commencement speech at Yale University, Biden reflected on this period of his life, acknowledging the profound impact of the loss but also the strength he found in his family. He stated, “Many people have gone through things like that. But because I had the incredible good fortune of an extended family, grounded in love and loyalty, imbued with a sense of obligation imparted to each of us, I not only got help. But by focusing on my sons, I found my redemption.”
Neilia Biden’s contributions extended beyond her role as a wife and mother. She was deeply involved in Joe Biden’s early political campaigns and was remembered for her intelligence and dedication. Five years after her passing, The Neilia Hunter Biden Park, located outside Wilmington, was dedicated in her honor, a lasting tribute to her memory.
Joe Biden later remarried Jill Biden in 1977, and they have a daughter, Ashley. Jill Biden has also embraced Beau and Hunter, becoming an integral part of their lives. In her 2019 memoir, Jill Biden wrote about the family’s annual visits to Neilia and Naomi’s gravesite, expressing her deep respect and gratitude for Neilia, stating, “I owed her so much: my loyalty, my gratitude for the gift of these beautiful boys, and, yes, my love.”
Beau Biden, who survived the 1972 accident, grew up to become a respected political figure himself, serving as Attorney General of Delaware. Tragically, Beau Biden passed away in 2015 at the age of 46 due to brain cancer, adding another layer of grief for the Biden family. While Beau Biden did not have a wife who died in an accident, the Biden family has faced significant loss and tragedy, particularly the 1972 car accident that took the lives of Neilia and Naomi Biden, forever impacting Joe Biden’s life and shaping his public service.
The story of Neilia and Naomi Biden’s death is a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies that can shape public figures. It underscores Joe Biden’s resilience, his commitment to family, and his capacity to find strength and purpose in the face of profound loss.
