Joe Biden

An esteemed senator and two-time vice president, Joe Biden saw his 1972 induction into Congress marred by the shocking deaths of his wife and daughter in a car accident. His dedication to his surviving sons was matched only by his devotion to his work, and he built a reputation as a seasoned, warm Congressional leader who considered the Violence Against Women Act as his greatest legacy. Although allegations he plagiarized portions of a speech opened up a controversy that torpedoed his 1988 run for the Democratic presidential ticket, Biden scored Barack Obama's vice presidential slot in 2008 and impressed against Sarah Palin in arguably the highest-profile debate of the cycle. Famous for his effusive off-the-cuff quips that, while coming from the heart, frequently landed him in hot water, Biden and his flaws were affectionately embraced by many and helped make him a celebrity in his own right, including a cameo as Leslie Knope's (Amy Poehler) ultimate crush on "Parks and Recreation" (NBC, 2009-15). A charming and time-tested politician who worked his way up to the White House, Joe Biden devoted his life to public service, earning a place in history for his tireless efforts. Born Nov. 20, 1942 in Scranton, PA Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. grew up a charming, athletic young man who shone more as a football player and class leader than a student, but went on to graduate from the University of Delaware as well as Syracuse University College of Law. The 30-year-old Biden pulled off an impressive political coup when he won a democratic Delaware Senate seat in 1972 against massive odds, but suffered a horrific tragedy when his wife and infant daughter died in a car accident that December. The media proved sympathetic to Biden's strength and he rose through the ranks to attempt a 1988 Democratic presidential run, which fell apart over plagiarism accusations. He helped repair his image, however, with such high-profile successes as the Violence Against Women Act and became one of the most visible and senior members of Congress. After he failed to capture the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, Biden instead landed Barack Obama's vice president slot and conducted himself well in arguably the most famous vice presidential debate of all time, when he and Sarah Palin went toe to toe. Biden's ability to surprise with off-the-cuff remarks summed up Biden's enormous personal charm - his ability to speak from the heart, no matter how unpredictable or gaffe-prone, that, while occasionally frustrating, endeared him to many constituents and colleagues alike. Biden ran in and won the controversial 2020 United States presidential election, and his tenure as 46th president of the United States began with his January 20, 2021 inauguration.