A Timely Biography of the 46th President Former Vice President Joe Biden played an essential role in the Obama administration. As the 47th vice president of the United States, he helped revive the economy, reduce gun violence, and protect women's rights. Biden announced his campaign for president in 2019. Originally dismissed, he pulled off a game-changing nomination in South Carolina and went on to become the president-elect. In 1972 Biden was elected to represent his home state of Delaware in the US Senate. But tragedy hit before his inauguration. His wife, two sons, and daughter were in a car accident. Biden lost both his wife and daughter, and was sworn into office from the hospital where his sons were recovering. Keeping his promise to govern, he became Delaware's longest-serving senator. Discover Biden's perseverance, career, and his race back to the White House.