Hunter Biden, the 54-year-old youngest son of outgoing President Joe Biden, has avoided prison after receiving a highly debated presidential pardon. The pardon, granted by his father, covers convictions for tax evasion, gun offenses, and any other crimes committed between 2014 and 2024. This “full and unconditional” pardon has sparked widespread controversy, adding to the public scandals marking Hunter’s turbulent life.
Want the full story? We’ve got all the details about Hunter Biden’s life, career, legal challenges, and the controversies surrounding him. From his business ventures and family ties to his struggles and public scrutiny, we cover everything you need to know about this complex and polarizing figure.
Who is Hunter Biden?
Hunter Biden, born on February 4, 1970, in Wilmington, Delaware, is an American attorney and businessman. He is the second son of President Joe Biden and his first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden.
Hunter earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. His professional career includes roles as a lawyer, investment banker, and lobbyist. Notably, he co-founded Rosemont Seneca Partners, an investment and advisory firm, and served on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian natural gas company.
Throughout his life, Hunter has faced personal challenges, including struggles with substance abuse, which he has candidly discussed in his memoir, “Beautiful Things.” His business activities and personal life have attracted significant media attention and political scrutiny, especially during his father’s political career.
In December 2024, President Joe Biden granted Hunter a full and unconditional pardon for offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024, a decision that has sparked considerable public debate.
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Quick Bio
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Hunter Biden’s life:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Hunter Biden |
| Date of Birth | February 4, 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Wilmington, Delaware, USA |
| Parents | – Father: Joe Biden, 46th President of the United States – Mother: Neilia Hunter Biden (deceased) |
| Siblings | – Brother: Beau Biden (deceased) – Sister: Naomi Biden (deceased) – Half-Sister: Ashley Biden |
| Education | – Undergraduate: Georgetown University – Law School: Yale Law School |
| Career | – Legal Practice: Attorney at various law firms – Business Ventures: Co-founder of Rosemont Seneca Partners; Board member of Burisma Holdings (2014–2019); Founding board member of BHR Partners (2013) |
| Personal Life | – Marriages: Kathleen Buhle (1993–2017); Melissa Cohen (m. 2019) – Children: Five, including Navy Joan Roberts |
| Legal Issues | – 2024 Convictions: Pleaded guilty to tax evasion and was convicted on firearm-related charges – Pardon: Received a full and unconditional pardon from President Joe Biden in December 2024 |
| Substance Abuse | – Struggles: Has openly discussed battles with alcohol and drug addiction – Memoir: Authored “Beautiful Things,” detailing his experiences with substance abuse and recovery |
Family
Hunter Biden is the second son of Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, and Neilia Hunter Biden, Joe’s first wife. Tragically, Neilia and Hunter’s younger sister, Naomi, were killed in a car accident in December 1972, leaving Joe Biden a widower just weeks before being sworn into the U.S. Senate. This early loss profoundly shaped Hunter’s life and his relationship with his father, who has often spoken about the enduring grief of that time.
- Father: Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States.
- Mother: Neilia Hunter Biden (deceased). Neilia and her infant daughter, Naomi, tragically passed away in a car accident in 1972 when Hunter was just two years old.
Hunter Biden’s Siblings
Hunter grew up alongside his older brother, Beau Biden, and his younger sister, Naomi, before the family tragedy. Beau was a celebrated lawyer, veteran, and Delaware Attorney General, admired for his service and leadership until his death from brain cancer in 2015. Hunter also has a half-sister, Ashley Biden, born to Joe Biden, and his second wife, Jill Biden. Ashley is known for her work as a social worker and activist, reflecting the Biden family’s commitment to public service.
- Older Brother: Beau Biden (deceased), who served as Delaware’s Attorney General and was a rising political figure before his death from brain cancer in 2015.
- Younger Sister: Naomi Biden (deceased), who died alongside their mother in the 1972 car accident.
- Half-Sister: Ashley Biden, born to Joe Biden and his second wife, Jill Biden. Ashley is a social worker, activist, and entrepreneur.
Hunter Biden’s Marriages and Children
Both joy and controversy have marked hunter’s personal life. He was married to Kathleen Buhle for over two decades, and together they have three daughters: Naomi, Finnegan, and Maisy. Following their divorce in 2017, Hunter had a brief relationship with Hallie Biden, the widow of his late brother Beau, a union that garnered significant public attention.
In 2019, Hunter married Melissa Cohen, a South African filmmaker, and they share a son, Beau Biden Jr., named after his late brother. Additionally, Hunter has a daughter, Navy Joan Roberts, from a prior relationship with Lunden Roberts, a paternity confirmed by court-ordered DNA testing.
- First Wife: Kathleen Buhle (1993–2017). They had three daughters together:
- Naomi Biden: Named after Hunter’s late sister, she is the oldest daughter and recently married Peter Neal in 2022.
- Finnegan Biden: The second daughter, named after Hunter’s grandmother.
- Maisy Biden: The youngest daughter, known for being close to former President Obama’s family.
- Relationship with Hallie Biden: After Beau Biden’s death, Hunter was romantically involved with Hallie Biden, Beau’s widow, from 2016 to 2018.
- Second Wife: Melissa Cohen (married in 2019), a South African filmmaker. They have one son together, Beau Biden Jr., named after Hunter’s late brother.
- Other Children: Hunter fathered a child, Navy Joan Roberts, with Lunden Roberts. Although initially denying paternity, a court-confirmed DNA test established him as the father.
Hunter Biden’s Education
Hunter Biden’s strong educational background, including degrees from elite institutions, laid the foundation for his law, business, and public service career.
| Institution | Degree | Field of Study | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archmere Academy | High School Diploma | General Education | Prestigious Catholic high school in Claymont, Delaware. |
| Georgetown University | Bachelor’s Degree | History | Completed undergraduate studies at this renowned university in Washington, D.C. |
| Yale Law School | Juris Doctor (JD) | Law | Graduated from one of the top law schools in the United States. |
Hunter Biden’s Measurements
Here’s a table summarizing the measurements and key physical details of Hunter Biden:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet (183 cm) |
| Weight | 163 pounds (74 kg) |
| Build | Average |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Distinct Features | Clean-shaven, professional appearance |
Hunter Biden Career
Hunter’s career has spanned various sectors, including law, finance, and the arts.
- MBNA America: After earning his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1996, Hunter began his career at MBNA America. He quickly rose to executive vice president in this major bank holding company.
- Lobbying and Consultancy: He later co-founded the lobbying firm Oldaker, Biden & Belair, engaging in federal lobbying activities. In 2006, Hunter was appointed to the board of directors of Amtrak, serving until 2009.
- Investment Ventures: In 2009, Hunter co-founded Rosemont Seneca Partners, a global consulting firm. In 2013, he became a founding board member of BHR Partners, a Chinese investment company.
- Burisma Holdings: From 2014 to 2019, Hunter served on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian natural gas company, a role that attracted significant media and political scrutiny.
In recent years, Hunter has pursued a career as a visual artist, creating and selling his artworks. His foray into the art world has been a personal passion and a subject of public interest.
Hunter Biden’s Net Worth
Hunter Biden’s net worth has been a subject of speculation, with estimates varying widely. Some sources have claimed figures as high as $230 million; however, these claims lack credible sourcing and are considered unverified.
More conservative estimates place his net worth around $1 million, based on his earnings from various business ventures and legal work.
Interesting Facts about Hunter Biden
- Tragic Family History: In December 1972, Hunter’s mother, Neilia, and younger sister, Naomi, died in a car accident. Hunter and his older brother, Beau, survived but were hospitalized with serious injuries.
- Military Service: In 2013, Hunter was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve but was discharged shortly after due to a positive test for cocaine use.
- Relationship with Hallie Biden: Following Beau Biden’s death in 2015, Hunter was romantically involved with his late brother’s widow, Hallie Biden, from 2016 to 2018.
- Artistic Pursuits: Hunter has ventured into the art world, creating and selling paintings, which has attracted both interest and controversy due to potential ethical concerns.
- Laptop Controversy: In 2020, a laptop allegedly belonging to Hunter became the center of political controversy, with debates over the authenticity and implications of its contents.
- Paternity Case: In 2019, Hunter was involved in a paternity lawsuit with Lunden Roberts, which was settled after a DNA test confirmed he was the father of her child, Navy Joan Roberts.
- Business Ventures Abroad: Hunter’s business dealings in Ukraine and China have been subject to political scrutiny, particularly his role on the board of Burisma Holdings during his father’s vice presidency.
- Memoir: In 2021, Hunter published “Beautiful Things,” a memoir detailing his struggles with addiction and personal challenges.
- Legal Matters: In 2024, Hunter faced federal charges related to tax evasion and firearm offenses. He pleaded guilty to tax evasion and was convicted on firearm-related charges.
- Recent Pardon: In December 2024, President Joe Biden granted Hunter a full and unconditional pardon for offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024, a decision that has sparked considerable public debate.
Hunter Biden’s life is a story of resilience, complexity, and growth. From personal tragedies to professional accomplishments and through struggles with public scrutiny and personal challenges, he has experienced the highs and lows of a life in the spotlight. Despite controversies, Hunter remains a devoted father, a creative spirit in his new artistic endeavors, and a figure who continues to navigate his path with the lessons of his past. His journey is a reminder that life’s challenges, though difficult, often pave the way for renewal and personal transformation.
