Ashley Biden divorce: Why she filed for divorce from Howard Krein
The wedding of Ashley Biden and Dr. Howard Krein in Wilmington, Delaware. Credit: Shutterstock
Ashley Biden, the only daughter of former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, has filed for divorce from her husband, Dr. Howard Krein, after 13 years of marriage. The filing was made in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and marks a significant turning point in the life of the 44-year-old social worker and activist.
Why Now? Unclear Motives Amid Private Proceedings
According to court records, the divorce complaint itself is not public, meaning the exact reasons for the separation remain undisclosed. Neither Ashley nor Krein has issued a formal statement, leaving much of the public’s understanding to come from Ashley’s symbolic online activity.
The couple had maintained a largely private marriage despite Ashley’s family prominence. Krein, a respected otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon, has held several high-ranking medical positions and also served as an informal adviser during Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.
Instagram Posts Hint at ‘Freedom’ and ‘New Beginnings’
On the day she filed for divorce, Ashley Biden appeared to share her emotions publicly through Instagram Stories. One video showed her walking through a park and flashing a thumbs-up, with Beyoncé’s “Freedom” playing in the background, a choice that many interpreted as a clear sign of personal empowerment.
She also posted an inspirational message reading, “New life, new beginnings means new boundaries. New ways of being that won’t look or sound like they did before,” accompanied by Lauryn Hill’s “Freedom Time.” These posts, paired with upbeat gestures and music about liberation, seemed to signal a turning point in her personal journey.
While the messages stopped short of directly addressing the divorce, their timing and themes strongly suggested they were connected to the end of her marriage. Supporters quickly responded on social media, praising her for embracing change and prioritizing her happiness.
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A Relationship That Began with a Family Introduction
Ashley Biden and Howard Krein first met in 2010 when Ashley’s late brother, Beau Biden, introduced them during a hospital visit. Krein later recalled that he asked Beau to arrange the meeting at his bedside. Their relationship progressed quickly, Krein proposed in 2011 during a sunset walk in Big Sur, California.
The couple married in June 2012 at St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Delaware, the same church where Ashley had been baptized. The ceremony combined Catholic and Jewish traditions, reflecting their different religious backgrounds.
Throughout their marriage, they were rarely the subject of tabloid attention, choosing to keep their relationship low-profile. However, Krein’s dual role as a high-profile surgeon and a political adviser occasionally brought him into the public eye, particularly during the pandemic response.
Despite their shared history and public respect, the divorce filing shows that their paths are now set to diverge. As Ashley steps into this new chapter, her social media posts suggest she is embracing change with optimism and strength.
