Former president Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden is offering an update on his father’s ongoing cancer battle.
“It’s really tough, and that’s the real answer,” Hunter, 56, told the BBC in a Friday, August 7, interview when asked about Joe’s health. “My dad, to this day, remains the center of our family not just because of who he is as a public person but completely because of who he is to each one of us. It’s really, really hard and it’s really sad to watch.”
Joe, 83, shared sons Beau and Hunter, as well as daughter Naomi, with late first wife Nealia Biden. Nealia and Naomi were killed in a 1972 car accident, while Beau died in 2015 after battling glioblastoma. The politician also shares daughter Ashley, 45, with wife Dr. Jill Biden.
Joe was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May 2025, with his office noting in a statement that the tumor had spread to the bones.
“The cancer has spread [and] metastasized into his bones and further. It’s very painful,” Hunter added on Friday. “It’s very debilitating in many respects, but he’s still out there. He’s still doing this thing [because] he still believes in this country.”
Hunter’s stepmother, 75-year-old Jill, revealed two months earlier how Joe’s cancer battle had affected his daily work commitments.
“He’s doing OK. He does have stage IV cancer. It has metastasized to his bones. He will forever have cancer. He will forever be on medicine, and he’s 83,” Jill said on a June appearance on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast. “You put that mix in, so, [while] yes, he’s still working, he’s writing his book, he’s traveling, he’s speaking, but he’s a little more tired. I’ve seen him slow down. I mean, cancer really takes a toll.”
The former first lady continued, “I think every family in America has someone in their family with cancer, whatever form it takes. It’s really been, like, kind of a cruel blow. … [Joe is] strong, he’s resilient, and it’s just so unfortunate.”
According to Jill, her entire family is “trying to do their part in helping” with Joe’s care.
“Naomi, our oldest grandchild, said, ‘Nana, I want to come [visit] and bring my son, Willie, and stay with you for a month and help you out.’ I mean, it’s just been a really nice thing,” Jill added at the time, referring to Hunter’s daughter and her toddler son with husband Peter Neal.
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