CHICAGO — First Lady Jill Biden took to the stage alone, donning a dazzling steel blue Ralph Lauren dress to the tune of “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim—though the audience at the United Center was too caught up in their cheers to hear it. The crowd was on its feet, waving green “JILL” signs, marking an emotional moment that resembled the beginning of an extended farewell. This event was likely one of her final addresses at a Democratic National Convention as first lady, reflecting her focus on her husband, President Joe Biden, and his aspirations for a successor.
Her speech lasted just under two minutes, predominantly sharing memories of her nearly 50-year marriage to President Biden. She spoke of her husband’s determination and empathy, both in his public and private life. She recounted moments where he would comfort a grieving supporter or read bedtime stories to their children. She highlighted his achievements as being “in the name of something bigger than himself,” and touched upon her husband’s decision to not seek reelection.
The first lady also expressed admiration for Vice President Kamala Harris, praising her “courage, determination, and leadership.” She recalled the moment when her late son Beau first recognized Harris’s exceptional qualities, urging his mother to “keep your eye on” her.
Jill arrived in Chicago on Monday afternoon, buoyed by good memories associated with the city—most notably the celebration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s 2008 election victory. Jill had joined her husband that night, clad in a lemon tweed skirt suit, celebrating with Michelle Obama.
Throughout Jill’s marriage, her husband has been involved in politics in some capacity. She has often shared how she initially turned down his marriage proposals, expressing concerns about life in the public eye. Despite this, she has carved out a successful career as a teacher for over 40 years, including during her tenures as second and first lady.
In recent weeks, Jill has navigated the challenges of life in the spotlight. After spending time attending official events commemorating D-Day, she faced a personal trial as her son Hunter underwent federal gun charges. Jill supported her daughter Ashley in court, confronting challenging memories linked to Hunter’s struggles with addiction before shifting her focus back to official duties in Paris.
Following Hunter’s guilty verdict, Jill defended her husband against skepticism regarding his re-election campaign. She stressed that the election was not about age, pointing out that both Biden and his opponent shared similar ages.
Jill’s commitment to her role as first lady is evident in her various initiatives, such as the Biden Cancer Moonshot, which honors Beau’s memory, as well as her advocacy for military families and educational opportunities for students in community colleges.
Now, with the next five months ahead, she looks forward to dedicating more time to these projects. Last week, she accompanied President Biden to New Orleans to highlight cancer research and is preparing for her upcoming semester teaching English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College. While she intends to support Democratic campaigns this fall, her responsibilities will shift without her husband on the ticket.
During the event, President Biden expressed his admiration for Jill, humorously reflecting on their relationship. They would typically have spent more time in Chicago; however, they planned to return to California for vacation following the president’s remarks.