Ashley Biden
Ashley Biden | |
|---|---|
 Biden in 2016 | |
| Born | Ashley Blazer Biden June 8, 1981 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Education | Tulane University (BA) University of Pennsylvania (MSW) |
| Occupations |
|
| Organisation | Livelihood |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Parent | Template:Plain list |
| Family | Biden family |
Ashley Blazer Biden (born June 8, 1981) is an American professional known for her work as a social worker, activist, and fashion entrepreneur. She served as executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice from 2014 until 2019 and previously held a position within the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families. As the founder of the clothing brand Livelihood, she collaborated with the online retailer Gilt Groupe to support community initiatives targeting economic disparities, debuting the line at New York Fashion Week in 2017. Biden is the daughter of former United States president Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden.
Early life and family
Born on June 8, 1981, in Wilmington, Delaware, Ashley Blazer Biden is the daughter of educator Jill Biden and then-U.S. senator Joe Biden.[1] She has three half-siblings—Beau, Hunter, and Naomi Biden—from her father’s previous marriage.[2] Her ancestry includes English, French, Irish, Scottish, and Sicilian roots, tracing back to her great-great-grandfather Edward Francis Blewitt.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag[3][4] During her elementary years, she demonstrated early activism by campaigning against animal testing practices by cosmetics company Bonne Bell, urging them to alter their policies. This passion extended to marine conservation efforts; she played a role in motivating her father’s collaboration with Congresswoman Barbara Boxer on the 1990 Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act.[5] She actively lobbied congressional members to support this legislation.[6]
She completed her secondary education at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware, graduating in 1999.[7]
Education and career
Ashley Biden pursued cultural anthropology studies at Tulane University. During her freshman year, she gained experience working as a camp counselor at Girls Incorporated (now Kingswood Academy) and completed an internship at a summer program hosted by Georgetown University, which focused on supporting youth from the Anacostia neighborhood. After earning her undergraduate degree, she briefly worked as a waitress in Wilmington before embarking on a career in social work. Relocating to Kensington, Philadelphia, she served as a clinical support specialist at Northwestern Human Services Children's Reach Clinic, where she provided assistance to children and families by connecting them with resources and collaborating with psychiatrists and therapists. In 2010, Biden obtained a master's degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice, where she was honored with the John Hope Franklin Combating American Racism Award as one of twelve distinguished graduates.
Social work and activism
Biden is recognized as a social justice advocate and experienced social worker, primarily active in Delaware. She dedicated 15 years to the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, where she was instrumental in creating programs addressing juvenile justice, foster care, and mental health services. In 2008, Delaware Today included her in their "40 People to Watch" list due to her impactful work within the department. Subsequently, she became involved with the Delaware Center for Justice, concentrating on reforming the criminal justice system and initiating projects related to public education, support for adult victims, and the prevention of gun violence. Among her efforts was the establishment of SWAGG, a program aimed at curbing youth gang activity.
In 2014, Biden publicly opposed the U.S. death penalty, citing its inefficiency in terms of cost and urging that funds be redirected toward victim assistance and crime deterrence programs. She also founded Young@Art, an initiative that empowers incarcerated youth to produce and market their artwork, with earnings shared between the artists and funding for the program itself. This project additionally provides education in business skills and financial literacy.
Fashion
Biden introduced the Livelihood Collection in 2017, an ethical fashion line that made its debut at Spring Place in TriBeCa during New York Fashion Week. The event drew attention from celebrities as well as members of Biden’s family. Partnerships with Gilt Groupe and actress Aubrey Plaza helped raise $30,000 benefiting the Delaware Community Foundation. The brand’s emblem—a stylized arrow—serves as a tribute to her late half-brother Beau Biden. Livelihood aims to combat income disparity and racial inequality by directing a portion of its sales revenue to support community initiatives in Washington, D.C.’s Anacostia neighborhood and Wilmington’s Riverside district.
The collection features products crafted from American-grown organic cotton and produced domestically. Hoodies were selected for their symbolic association with labor rights and social justice causes. The brand’s website actively encourages civic participation and advocates for economic equity.
In addition to her fashion line, Biden contributed designs to the 2017 "Snoopy and Belle in Fashion" exhibition by creating outfits for vinyl dolls alongside notable designers. This exhibit toured several cities across the United States.
In June 2020, as part of Livelihood’s growth, she designed staff uniforms for Washington D.C.’s Hamilton Hotel; the hotel also made a $15,000 donation to support the brand. These uniforms were unveiled during an exclusive launch event.
Role in father's campaign
During August 2020, Biden delivered a speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention shortly before her father officially received the Democratic Presidential Nomination. On August 6, she organized an event for Wisconsin Women for Biden aimed at advancing her father’s Women's Agenda while emphasizing key women’s issues during the 2020 presidential race.
Personal life
Biden began a relationship with Howard Krein, a plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist introduced by her brother Beau, in 2010. The couple wed in 2012 through an interfaith Catholic-Jewish ceremony held at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine. Krein is employed at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and serves as an assistant professor specializing in facial, plastic, and reconstructive surgery at Thomas Jefferson University.
She practices Catholicism and in 2016 attended a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican alongside her husband, father, and brother.
Diary Theft Incident
In 2020, the personal diary belonging to Ashley Biden was taken and subsequently sold to the far-right activist organization Project Veritas. In 2022, two individuals from Florida pleaded guilty in federal court to the theft of the diary along with other private possessions, transporting these items across state borders, and selling them to Project Veritas. In April 2024, Aimee Harris received a sentence of one month incarceration followed by three months of home detention; the sentencing for her accomplice Robert Kurlander remains forthcoming.
Biden acknowledged ownership of the diary but emphasized that its contents had been "repeatedly misrepresented and manipulated".
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