Jill Biden has expressed regret over not speaking more openly about her son Hunter's struggle with drug addiction during her time in the White House. In a recent interview promoting her memoir, she said she now believes sharing his journey of substance abuse and recovery can offer hope to others facing similar challenges.
Speaking at an event for her book, 'View from the East Wing,' Dr. Biden revealed that her husband's diagnosis with prostate cancer, which has since spread to his bones, shifted her perspective. 'I think Joe's cancer diagnosis, it really puts life into perspective,' she said, adding that it helped her move past any lingering resentment over pressure on Joe Biden to withdraw from his reelection campaign.
In her memoir, she acknowledges that addiction was a topic she and her husband largely avoided. 'I think we were partly in denial,' she wrote. She described Hunter's descent into addiction after the death of his brother Beau in 2015 as 'a really hard time for our family.' Hunter has now maintained sobriety for several years. 'I'm sorry that I didn't talk about it a little bit more,' she confessed.
Hunter Biden was convicted on federal charges related to misrepresenting his drug use on a firearm purchase form. He ultimately received a pardon from his father, who had previously insisted he would not use presidential powers to spare his son.
Dr. Biden also reflected on the toll of her husband's cancer treatments. 'Cancer drugs, cancer treatments have their consequences and I think those consequences are pretty tough,' she said. Joe Biden, 83, was present at the event and received standing ovations.
