Ashley Biden, the daughter of former President Joe Biden, has filed for divorce from her husband of more than 13 years, plastic surgeon Dr. Howard Krein, according to court records. The 44-year-old submitted the filing on Monday in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas. On the same day, Biden shared an Instagram post showing herself walking through a park and giving a thumbs-up, accompanied by Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” and a quote referencing “new life” and “new beginnings.” The reason for the separation has not been disclosed, and divorce filings in Philadelphia are not publicly accessible. Biden and Krein married in June 2012 in Greenville, Delaware, two years after being introduced by her late brother, Beau Biden.
Ashley Biden publicly reflected on her wedding last year while introducing her father at the Democratic National Convention. She described Joe Biden as deeply involved in the event, recalling how he personally helped set up the reception and became emotional during the celebration. The couple largely kept their marriage private, though Krein, a well-known plastic surgeon, has occasionally appeared alongside the Biden family at public events.
The divorce filing comes as Joe Biden faces renewed scrutiny from Republicans over his mental fitness during his final months in office. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has suggested that the committee’s investigation into Biden’s cognitive decline could be used to challenge certain pardons and executive actions, particularly those signed using an autopen. Legal experts, including former Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz, have said such challenges would likely be decided in court. Biden has maintained that he made the decisions regarding pardons, though aides acknowledged he did not personally approve every individual case.