Ashley Biden, the youngest daughter of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, has been in the headlines recently after filing for divorce from her husband of 13 years, Dr. Howard Krein. The couple, who tied the knot in a picturesque 2012 ceremony in Delaware, seemed like a perfect match, blending their shared passion for public service, their interfaith backgrounds, and a love story that began with a nudge from Ashley’s late brother, Beau.
But on August 11, 2025, Ashley quietly filed divorce papers in a Philadelphia court, marking the end of their marriage without public explanation. The news came with a subtle but telling Instagram post from Ashley, featuring a thumbs-up and the song “Freedom” by Beyoncé playing in the background, a nod to new beginnings.
Their relationship was always a blend of private devotion and public scrutiny, given Ashley’s role as a former first daughter. Krein, a respected facial plastic surgeon and professor, maintained a low profile despite his connection to the Bidens. The couple’s 13-year marriage saw them navigating careers, family tragedies, and the relentless spotlight of politics. Now, with their split official, questions linger about what led to the breakup, especially since neither has spoken openly about the reasons.
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The Beginning: A Love Story Sparked by Family
Ashley Biden and Dr. Howard Krein’s romance began in 2010 under bittersweet circumstances. Ashley’s older brother, Beau Biden, introduced them while he was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. Krein, a doctor, was visiting Beau when Ashley rushed into the room. According to Joe Biden, Krein later asked Beau, “Think you could set me up with your sister?” Ashley initially resisted the idea of a blind date but eventually agreed as a favor to her brother. Their first meeting might not have been fireworks—Ashley reportedly told her dad, “Eh, he’s alright”—but the relationship grew into something deeper.
Two years later, they married in a heartfelt ceremony at St. Joseph on the Brandywine, the same church where Ashley was baptized. The wedding blended Catholic and Jewish traditions, reflecting their respective backgrounds. Joe Biden, then the vice president, was famously emotional, fussing over place settings on his John Deere four-wheeler and tearing up as he walked Ashley down the aisle. “This is the right guy,” he told People at the time. “And he’s getting a helluva woman.”
One notable aspect of their relationship was their age difference. Howard, born in 1966 or 1967, is about 14–15 years older than Ashley, who was born in 1981. While the gap wasn’t extreme, it occasionally drew attention, especially as Krein was already an established surgeon when they met. However, the couple seemed unfazed, bonding over shared values—social justice, healthcare, and family.
The Marriage and Its Challenges
For over a decade, Ashley Biden and Dr. Howard Krein balanced demanding careers with the pressures of being part of a political dynasty. Ashley, a social worker and activist, dedicated herself to criminal justice reform and even launched an ethical fashion line, Livelihood, which funded community programs. Krein, meanwhile, built a reputation as a top facial reconstructive surgeon, working with veterans and domestic violence survivors. He also served as Chief Medical Officer for StartUp Health, a health-tech firm co-founded by his brother.
But their marriage wasn’t without struggles. The Bidens faced relentless public scrutiny, particularly during Joe’s presidency. Ashley once admitted in an interview that attacks on her family were painful: “If my family weren’t so close, it wouldn’t be so hard, but we are. My family is my safe space.” The theft and sale of Ashley’s personal diary in 2020, a scandal that led to criminal charges against the perpetrators, added another layer of stress.
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Despite these challenges, the couple appeared united in public. They joined Joe Biden for a private audience with Pope Francis in 2016 and stood by him during pivotal moments, including his 2024 decision to drop out of the presidential race. But behind the scenes, something shifted. By August 2025, Ashley filed for divorce, offering no public explanation beyond her Instagram hints about “new boundaries” and “new ways of being.”
The Divorce and What Comes Next
Former first daughter Ashley Biden files for divorce from husband of 13 years, Dr. Howard Krein https://t.co/tGugqdCrZ5 pic.twitter.com/oFDJtdu9le
— New York Post (@nypost) August 12, 2025
The split was finalized swiftly and quietly, with no messy public drama. Philadelphia’s court records remain sealed, so the specifics, whether it was amicable, contentious, or driven by personal or professional differences, are unknown. What we do know is that Ashley, now 44, is moving forward with a clear emphasis on independence. Her social media posts, though fleeting, suggest a deliberate step toward a fresh chapter.
As for Howard, 58, he continues his work at Thomas Jefferson University and maintains his medical practice. The couple had no children, simplifying the logistical aspects of their separation.
Their story, like many marriages, had its highs and lows, anchored by family, tested by public life, and ultimately ending in a private, dignified parting. For Ashley Biden, it’s a moment of reinvention; for Howard, a return to the quiet professionalism he’s always preferred. And for the rest of us? A reminder that even the most seemingly solid unions can change course, one Instagram story at a time.
