Philadelphia, PA — Ashley Biden, the only daughter of former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, has filed for divorce from her husband of more than 13 years, Dr. Howard Krein. The news marks a personal milestone in the life of a woman who has long kept a relatively low public profile despite her family’s prominence.
Court filings in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas, submitted on Monday, confirm the separation, though the details remain sealed under the city’s confidentiality rules for divorce proceedings. What is known is that the marriage — which began with a celebrated summer wedding in June 2012 — has quietly come to an end.
That same day, Biden took to Instagram, sharing a symbolic message: a photo of herself strolling through a park, flashing a thumbs-up, with Beyoncé’s “Freedom” playing in the background. She also posted a reflective quote: “New life, new beginnings, means new boundaries. New ways of being that won’t look or sound like they did before.”
A Marriage Rooted in Family Ties
Ashley Biden met Dr. Krein, a Philadelphia-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon, through her late brother Beau Biden in 2010. Beau, who served as Delaware’s Attorney General, reportedly introduced them at a social event, believing they would be a good match. Two years later, they wed in Greenville, Delaware, in a ceremony attended by close friends, family, and political figures.
The wedding was as much a family affair as a political one. Speaking at the 2023 Democratic National Convention, Ashley fondly recalled her father’s involvement in preparing the reception while serving as vice president.
“At the time, my dad was vice president, but he was also that dad who literally set up the entire reception,” she told the crowd. “He was riding around in his John Deere 4-wheeler, fixing the place settings, arranging the plants — and by the way, he was very emotional.”
Throughout their marriage, Biden and Krein balanced careers in public service and medicine. Krein became known not only for his surgical work but also for his advisory role on health care innovation. Ashley, meanwhile, pursued her career as a social worker, non-profit executive, and activist, focusing on criminal justice reform and community programs.
Timing Amid Political Turmoil
The end of Ashley’s marriage comes at a time of intense political scrutiny for her father. After withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race in late summer, Joe Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. His decision followed a rocky debate performance that fueled questions about his mental sharpness.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has since suggested that Biden’s cognitive state in his final months in office could have legal implications. Comer claims his committee has evidence showing the president frequently used an autopen — a device that mechanically reproduces signatures — to approve pardons and executive orders, possibly without fully reviewing them.
“If the President of the United States had no idea what was being signed, that’s not legal,” Comer told Just the News. He also indicated that some of Biden’s clemency actions and executive orders might be challenged in court.
The allegations add another layer of complexity to a family already accustomed to navigating life under the political spotlight.
A New Chapter for Ashley Biden
While her family grapples with national political battles, Ashley’s Instagram activity signals a personal reset. Known for her work on causes ranging from environmental justice to anti-animal cruelty initiatives, she has often kept her personal life away from public drama.
Her recent posts suggest a focus on self-growth and boundary-setting — a contrast to the intense, often combative atmosphere surrounding her father’s political career. Friends close to Ashley describe her as deeply private but resilient, someone who values personal reinvention in times of change.
With the divorce now underway, it remains to be seen whether she will step further into public advocacy or retreat into the quieter work that has defined much of her adult life. Either way, those who know her say the split marks the beginning of a new phase — one not defined by her marriage or her father’s presidency, but by her own choices.
