Ashley Biden, daughter of former President Joe Biden, has filed for divorce from her husband of over 13 years, Dr. Howard Krein, a Philadelphia-based plastic surgeon. Court documents reveal the split was made official in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas earlier this week, according to multiple confirmed reports.
Ashley, 44, made the filing on Monday, signaling the end of her long-standing marriage to Krein, 59, who works as an otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. The couple, notably private throughout their relationship, had no children together and had been residing in Philadelphia prior to their separation.
The same day the divorce was filed, Ashley posted a telling message on her Instagram Story, reportedly including a photo of herself walking through a park, flashing a thumbs-up sign. The background music? Beyoncé’s “Freedom.” She also shared a reflective quote: “New life, new beginnings means new boundaries. New ways of being that won’t look or sound like they did before.” While cryptic, the messaging suggests a conscious break from the past and a desire for personal reinvention.
Though the reasons for the separation remain unknown—Philadelphia law keeps divorce records private—the couple’s relationship had once been spotlighted for its connection to Ashley’s late brother, Beau Biden, who reportedly introduced them. Their engagement in 2011 came after Krein asked Joe Biden for permission to marry Ashley during a trip to Big Sur, California. At the time, then-Vice President Biden gave his blessing, reportedly telling People magazine: “This is the right guy. And he’s getting a helluva woman.”
The wedding was held at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Greenville, Delaware—Ashley’s childhood church and baptismal site. Around 200 guests attended, followed by a backyard reception at the Bidens’ residence. As Ashley recalled at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, her father was hands-on for the celebration, riding around on a John Deere 4-wheeler, managing the place settings, and tending to the plants. “He was very emotional,” she told the crowd.
The divorce comes amid a challenging season for the Biden family. Ashley’s father recently revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis in May, adding yet another layer of stress to the former first daughter’s life. Meanwhile, her half-brother Hunter Biden has remained in the spotlight due to his big mouth and past legal woes. He faced serious federal gun and tax charges, only to receive a controversial full pardon from President Biden himself, who claimed the prosecution was politically motivated.
Throughout it all, Ashley has remained publicly supportive of her father, defending him against mounting criticism over his cognitive health. In a heartfelt June post, she declared, “The truth is, Dad gave his ALL to America and continues til this day. He NEVER gave up on you… The man has led his life by ACTIONS not words.”
She went on to address criticism of her father’s age and capacity to lead, asserting, “He aged, YES! As we all do! And the stress of the presidency accelerates. But he was always MORE than capable of doing the job. And a damn good one.”
