Jill Biden is sharing an emotional update on life with her husband, former President Joe Biden, as he continues fighting stage 4 prostate cancer.
In an interview with PEOPLE, the former first lady reflected on how the diagnosis has changed their plans and brought them closer together. Speaking at the couple’s lake house in Wilmington, Delaware, on Nov. 5, Jill, 75, said their relationship has grown stronger through the difficult experience.
“Having been through a lot of highs and lows in our marriage, I think we are stronger than ever before,” she told the magazine. “I didn’t think that was possible.”
Joe, 83, announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. The announcement came 118 days after his presidential term ended.
Jill said the news was unexpected and forced the couple to reconsider what they had planned for life after the White House.
“We had other plans for post-White House, traveling and maybe going to Italy or I don’t know, lots of places we planned,” she said. “But once he got the diagnosis, our whole life changed entirely.”
She recalled having a moment of realization while looking through a travel magazine at a nail salon. The destinations she had been imagining suddenly seemed disconnected from the reality of their lives.
“All of a sudden it struck me, like, ‘Wait a minute, this isn’t our life now,’ ” she said.
Jill explained that the cancer’s spread to Joe’s bones means the disease will remain part of their lives.
“Just putting the magazine down, [I] just had to kind of take a minute and realize with Joe having stage 4 prostate cancer that’s metastasized, that because of that metastasis, he will always have cancer. And it changes your life, it changes your perspective about life. So now we’re on a new journey.”
Jill Biden Discusses Being a Caregiver
The former first lady also spoke about the emotional and physical responsibilities that come with caring for a loved one who has cancer.
She said she has heard from other family caregivers, including some of the estimated 63 million Americans who provide care to relatives or loved ones.
“So many people have reached out to me, and in turn, I have reached out to them, because I have seen how hard it is, how really emotionally hard it is, physically hard to go through each day,” she said.
Her daily responsibilities include monitoring Joe’s health and helping him maintain his routine.
“My days are making sure he eats right. Does he exercise? Is he taking the right medicine? Did I talk to the doctor?” she said.
Jill also continues to work part-time, teaching literature at a nearby women’s prison. She said caregiving responsibilities exist alongside the everyday demands of family life.
Family Provides Support
Jill credited their loved ones, particularly their grandchildren, with helping her through the challenging period.
“I find my strength with really the family around me, and they’re always checking in — ‘How’s Pop doing?’ — and keeping in touch or coming to the house or spending time here,” she said.
The family often gathers at the couple’s home, with grandchildren visiting and staying overnight.
For Jill and Joe, life may look different from the retirement they once imagined, but their family remains an important source of comfort as they navigate his cancer diagnosis.
Jill Biden Opens Up About Joe’s Cancer Battle