Biden Family mourns 50th anniversary of death of Neilia and Naomi Biden in car crash
Saint Joseph’s on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church and Cemetery in Greenville, Delaware where the Biden Family worships (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography).
On December 18th, 1972 President Joe Biden’s life changed forever. His first wife and daughter died in a car crash in Delaware. A moment that Joe Biden will never forget, and continues to mourn his late wife and daughter.
Article by Tessa Peloso, White House Reporter
GREENVILLE, Del - Neilia Biden, who was 30 years old when she tragically passed, was driving the family’s Chevrolet station wagon with her three young children in the back seat. The family was driving to go shopping for a Christmas tree, when a tractor-trailer hit the Biden’s station wagon.
The tractor-trailer - that was carrying corn cobs - smashed into the Biden family leaving the windshield shattered and the left rear door destroyed.
13-month-old Naomi, and Neilia were pronounced deceased upon arrival at the hospital. Beau, who was four, and Hunter, who was three, were severely injured in the car crash. Joe Biden was in Washington at the time of the crash, interviewing new staff and setting up his new Senate office.
Biden was sworn into office two weeks after the passing of his wife and daughter at Wilmington Hospital’s chapel next to his sons with press all around.
Neilia and Joe Biden married in August of 1966 and resided in Delaware to start their family. When Joe Biden began his career in politics, Neilia was instrumental in helping her husband with his campaigns.
Neilia and Naomi Biden were buried in All Saints Cemetery and later moved to St. Joseph’s Cemetery where the Biden family worships. The Biden’s plots include Neilia; Naomi; Beau; Joe Biden’s father, Joseph Sr.; and mother, Jean Biden.
Five years after the death of Neilia Biden, a park was dedicated in her name. Joe Biden represented the area when he served as councilman.
President Biden and the First Family often visit the graves of their family when the President visits his Greenville, Delaware home. On Sunday morning, a private memorial Mass was held at Saint Joseph’s on the Brandywine Church before the family went to pay their respects at the adjacent cemetery plot.
A number of members of the First Family were in attendance, including his son Hunter, who was carrying his two-year-old son Beau and walking with his wife Melissa Cohen. Several of the President’s grandchildren were also with him, including Maisey, Hunter and Naomi. Maisey and Hunter each carried a large wreath with white flowers in them that were placed at the gravesite.