Ashley Biden Reflects on Renewal and a Fresh Start After Divorce
Ashley Biden is reflecting on 2025 and evaluating everything she has navigated, including her separation from her husband of 13 years, Howard Krein.
“2025…challenged my heart, clarified my perspective, and restored me to the strongest version of myself. I am more thankful than I have ever been,” former President Joe Biden’s daughter, 44, wrote via Instagram on Friday, December 26. “More present. More aligned with my authentic self and values and so optimistic for what is ahead.”
She continued, “My family, friends, and faith have supported me through the most difficult days and nights…and now the future feels incredibly bright. I released all the things and people who no longer contribute to my highest good and now move forward into the future with my hands confidently guiding the way…with love, grace, strength, and gratitude. I retain a protective instinct if you threaten those I cherish.”
Ashley initiated divorce proceedings from her estranged husband Krein in August 2025. On the same day, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported she posted a since-deleted Instagram Story of her strolling through a park and giving a thumbs up, accompanied by Beyoncé’s “Freedom.”
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She also reportedly shared the sentiment, “A new phase of life, fresh beginnings, requires new boundaries. New ways of existing that will differ from how things were before.” Lauryn Hill’s “Freedom Time” reportedly played alongside the upload.
Weeks later, Ashley shared on her Instagram Stories, simply writing, “Inner tranquility.”
She also shared a photograph of herself walking with her father. “Nourishment for my soul,” she wrote, according to the New York Post. “I am so grateful for our walks and conversations. #1 dad.”
The photograph showed Ashley smiling at the camera as she walked beside the former president, who was wearing a dark blue cap and a long-sleeved shirt in the same shade. A second photograph showed the two standing on the boardwalk at the Delaware Bay. The photographs were the first publicly shared of Joe since July 2025.
Ashley married her now-estranged husband in Delaware in 2012, one year after Krein proposed. “We are delighted to announce that our daughter, Ashley Blazer Biden, married Dr. Howard Krein this evening in Wilmington, Delaware,” Joe and Jill Biden said in a statement from Joe’s office to Us Weekly at the time.
The statement continued, “The private ceremony was attended by the bride and groom’s closest family and friends. We’re pleased to welcome Howard into our family, and we wish them all the best in their new life together.”
Joe, 83, also shared son Hunter Biden and late children Beau and Naomi Biden with first wife Neila Hunter, who died in 1972.
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Ashley and Krein do not have any children together, but she is an aunt to seven nieces and nephews: late brother Beau’s children, Natalie and Robert; brother Hunter’s children Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy, and Navy; and niece Naomi’s child, William.
At the time, Joe was serving as Vice President during Barack Obama’s two-term presidency. Joe subsequently was elected as the 46th President of the United States, serving one term before departing office in January 2025.
