Jill Biden says husband Joe will ‘live with cancer’ for rest of his life

WASHINGTON, DC: Jill Biden shared an update on her husband and former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis after admitting that he was “slowing down” toward the end of his presidency.

Nearly six months after leaving the White House, the former President revealed, in May last year, that he had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer.

At that time, a spokesperson said that Joe had been seen by a doctor “for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.”

Jill Biden says Joe’s cancer has 'metastasized to his bones'

Last October, Biden’s daughter Ashley announced that the former President had reached a major milestone in his recovery journey by completing radiation treatment.

But behind the optimistic updates, the president's recovery appears to be a longer and more difficult battle.

The 74-year-old former first lady made an appearance on the 'Today' show on Monday, June 1, where she spoke about Joe’s current condition. 

“You know, he's doing OK. But, you know how tough it is," she told host Craig Melvin, whose brother Lawrence Meadows died from colon cancer in 2020.

“I think if he had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, that's one thing, because that can be cured, but the fact that it metastasized to his bones, that makes it a whole different story,” she stated.

Ultimately, Jill said of her husband, “I think Joe will live with cancer till the rest of his life.”

"He's out making speeches and he's traveling on Amtrak. He was just at the Delaware Memorial Bridge for the veteran's ceremony. So yeah, he's doing a lot, but he has stage 4 cancer,” she said on 'Today with Jenna & Sheinelle'. 

Former President Joe Biden (R) stands with his wife Jill Biden awaiting the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House September 25, 2015 in Washington, DC (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Jill Biden recounts her struggle as Joe’s caregiver

In the interview, Jill also spoke candidly about her role as her husband's caregiver.

“It's so hard to be a caregiver in that you worry every day, ‘Is he eating right? Is he getting enough exercise? Did he have his medications?'” she said.

“And I think every American family has someone in their family dealing with this. People can find hope in the fact that people are still fighting. We're still fighting against cancer. It's part of my legacy, I hope, it's part of Joe's legacy, that we will keep fighting, just like we did in those four years,” she continued.

In a separate interview with NBC News, Jill also spoke about her decision to publicly support Joe in the wake of his disastrous 2024 debate with Donald Trump.

“What do I say to him? I’m his wife. I’ve got to lift him up,” she told NBC, describing her thought process.

“So, we go to the next event, and I’m thinking, what do I say that will lift him up that is true? I want to say things that are true.”

“And so, I said, ‘You answered every question,’” she said, recalling her comments onstage. “My mind’s racing.”

“I had to sort of lift him up. I’m his wife. I’m not going to get out on the stage there and say, ‘Joe, you really screwed that up.’ And we have all of our supporters there,” she said, adding, “That’s who we are. I had to support him.”