Luanda: Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., the 46th President of the United States, became the first U.S. head of state to visit Angola as of this Monday. Known widely as Joe Biden, his visit marks a significant moment in U.S.-Angola relations.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Joe Biden has had a distinguished career in American politics. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th Vice President under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. Biden’s political journey began in the 1970s after a brief stint practicing law, eventually leading him to the New Castle County Council and later the U.S. Senate, where he became the second youngest senator elected at age 29.
Throughout his tenure as a senator, Biden became noted for his involvement in international affairs and his negotiation skills across party lines. He initially sought the presidency in 1988 and 2008 but withdrew his candidacies. He was later chosen by Barack Obama as his vice preside
nt and subsequently organized a successful campaign against Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign was characterized by a strong appeal to both the black and centrist electorate, surpassing fellow Democrat Bernie Sanders. In the record-breaking election turnout, Biden secured over 81 million votes compared to Trump’s 74 million, winning 306 delegates in the Electoral College to Trump’s 232. This victory returned the Democratic Party to the presidency.
Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on November 20, 1942, Biden grew up in a family of Irish origin. His father, a sales representative for Amoco, faced economic hardships during a recession, prompting the family to move to Delaware. Biden’s education journey took him through local schools, the University of Delaware, and Syracuse University, where he studied law.
Biden’s early life was marked by personal tragedy when he lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident shortly before taking office as a senator. Despite considering
resignation, Biden continued his political career and later remarried Jill Tracy, with whom he shares a daughter, Ashley. The couple has faced further personal challenges, including the death of Biden’s son, Beau, in 2015 from brain cancer.
Biden’s visit to Angola not only underscores his international engagement but also highlights his long-standing commitment to diplomatic relations and global cooperation.