Ashley Biden reflects on the transformative year of 2025, during which she navigated significant personal changes, including her separation from Howard Krein, her husband of 13 years.

“The year 2025 broke my heart, sharpened my focus, and helped me become the best version of myself,” the daughter of former President Joe Biden, 44, expressed on Instagram this past Friday, December 26. “I am more grateful than ever, more present, more in tune with my true self and values, and incredibly hopeful for the future.”

She added, “My family, friends, and faith have carried me through the darkest times, and now the future feels incredibly bright. I’ve let go of people and things that no longer contribute to my well-being, and I move forward with confidence, love, grace, strength, and gratitude. (Note: the inner strength to protect my loved ones remains strong.) ❤️.”

Ashley initiated divorce proceedings from Krein in August 2025. Coinciding with this announcement, The Philadelphia Inquirer noted she posted—then removed—an Instagram Story featuring her walking through a park, giving a thumbs up, all set to the empowering melody of Beyoncé’s “Freedom.”

The same weekend, Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris made their first public appearance together as a couple at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday, April 27. Bush donned a strapless black gown adorned with gold accents, while Harris matched in a black suit with an embellished jacket, complementing her partner’s style. Colin Jost took on hosting duties for the evening’s festivities.

She also reportedly shared the quote, “New life, new beginnings means new boundaries. New ways of being that won’t look or sound like they did before.” Lauryn Hill’s “Freedom Time” reportedly played alongside the upload.

Weeks later, Ashley via her Instagram Stories and captioned it, “Peace of mind.”

She also shared a photo of herself walking with her father. “Chicken soup for my soul,” she wrote, per the New York Post. “I feel so grateful for our walks and talks. #1 dad.”

The photo showed Ashley smiling at the camera as she walked next to the former president, who was wearing a a dark blue cap and a long-sleeved shirt in the same shade. A second photo showed the two standing on the boardwalk at the Delaware Bay. The photos 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 pleased 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 close family and friends. We’re happy 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.

Hoda Kotb has shared many life milestones — both triumphant and difficult — with TV audiences for years. Kotb notably missed several episodes of the Today show in early 2023. Her cohosts Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones announced that March that her absence was due to a “family health matter,” which Kotb later revealed involved […]

Ashley and Krein do not share any children, 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 went on to be elected as the 46th President of the United States, serving one term before leaving office in January 2025.