As we discussed on Thursday, Beau Biden’s widow is currently dating her brother-in-law, Hunter Biden. Beau Biden passed away in 2015 after a grueling battle with brain cancer that left the entire Biden family devastated. Beau’s passing was one of the big reasons why then-Vice President Joe Biden decided not to run for president in 2016. I also noted in that post that it was widely accepted in political gossip circles that Beau was “the good brother,” the one who worked hard and was a decent man. Hunter is “the messy brother,” the one who got kicked out of the Navy and screws around on his wife. The fact that Beau’s widow Hallie was hooking up with her married brother-in-law wasn’t the issue for me – considering that VP Biden cosigned their relationship, I figured that Hunter and Hallie got together while Hunter was estranged and/or separated from his wife Kathleen. As it turns out, Hunter and Kathleen’s marriage was over just a few months after Beau passed away, and their separation had nothing to do with Beau or Hallie.
Joe Biden’s daughter-in-law, Kathleen, has filed for divorce … but long after she told her husband to leave the family home. In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Kathleen claims she and Hunter Biden formally separated in October 2015, and they’ve been living separately ever since. She says in legal docs she asked him to leave July 5, 2015, “due to his conduct the night before.” The docs go on to say they had a prior agreement, if he engaged in the conduct in question he would leave. She doesn’t describe the “conduct,” but does say it “creates situations that are unsafe or traumatic for the parties’ children, and his judgment is frequently impaired.”
She also says in the docs … Hunter spent lavishly on his own interests including, “drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, strip clubs, and gifts for women with whom he has sexual relations.” Kathleen says his habits have depleted their funds available to pay legitimate bills — and adds they’ve maxed out credit cards, have double mortgages on 2 properties, and more than $300k in unpaid taxes.
Kathleen wants their temporary spousal support to be $20k per month for herself, and $5k per month for Hunter.
The October filing date is significant because the separation occurred just 2 months after stories surfaced Hunter was allegedly caught up in the Ashley Madison scandal … something he denied. The divorce docs were filed last December. Hunter is now involved with Hallie, the widow of his brother, Beau, who died in May 2015 from brain cancer. She’s asking for sole physical and legal custody of their 1 minor child. They have 3 kids, and 2 are adults. He’s asking for joint physical and legal custody.
Yeah, I told you guys that Hunter was and is messy. This goes beyond “messy” though. It’s such a disappointment that Hunter turned out this way, even if just half of these accusations are true. I’ve heard the rumors too, so I tend to believe that Kathleen is telling the truth and that Hunter is absolutely a douchebag. And now I’m sort of worried about Hallie, Beau’s widow. She’s got enough to deal with, you know?
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Exactly. Makes this story even worse. Sorry but nothing good will come from this. It’s probably weird for the kids and frankly the adults are being selfish. And Hunter sounds like a nightmare so what a great person to have stepping into their dads shoes. Awesome!
I feel bad for Kathleen and all the kids involved. This situation sounds awful
When the story broke everyone was like “well they supported each other and drew close so what?” Uh… What about the kids? This is definitely weird. And it doesn’t sound like Hunter is a great guy. Who knows if they didn’t have a thing on the side always? I doubt Hallie was not aware he was this messy. They’re family. Guess it’s her problem now. Let’s see if she can change him like they all think.
I mean I hate the entire obsession of wanting to change the bad boy. Esp when you have kids to look after. They cannot afford to wait while he gets his sh*t together. IF he ever does
i guess it is ok to bring a loser drug addict into your house when he is already the uncle – nope
sad thing is joe underwrites all of this financially because of the kids
and this is the man Tallie is welcoming into the lives of her children, who are already traumatized after losing their father?
Selfish Selfish people.
I know! I couldn’t believe the pass people were giving them yesterday. I know we adore Joe, rightfully so, but these two people are awful. This isnt grief, this is crossing your dead brothers boundaries because you mad at living in his shadow.
And its a horrible thing to put Beaus kids through just after watching their father die. Do you think they dont feel a trust has been betrayed here? That they dont feel their fathers honor and memory is being wrecked by the people who should protect it?
Also poor Joe. Such a sweet man with so much tragedy now has to go through this bullsh*t too? These two are hot trash who dont deserve to inhale the same air as Joe and Jill.
I know, I stayed out of and kept my thoughts to myself.
Those poor children, all of them.
also, I used tallie from the original post and then learned it’s Hallie.
The reality is that Hallie is likely blinded by her own grief. There have been studies done on younger widows. It is not uncommon for them to turn to a man who was close to their dead husband. In an ideal world than man would not take advantage of a grieving widow, but it happens all the time. For example, Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor. Eddie was a good friend of her husband Mike Todd.
I was also very surprised how people said it wasn’t a big deal. The kids will probably be confused if they are Aunt or Uncle or a step parent. It would be gross to be involved with someone my sister had been with even if she was dead. Sex with someone who had done it with my sibling is unthinkable
It’s only my opinion, but yeah, they need their remaining parent fully present for them. Sorry your amazing husband died. Shit happens. But crazy, inappropriate uncle kept at a distance! And as Merry said, Poor Joe.
Technically he was already in their lives as their uncle. I think Hallie could do better than Hunter. However grief is a strange and powerful thing.
Yeah, he was already in their lives, but I couldn’t imagine my mom getting together with someone I’d always called and knew as Uncle. Especially if I was still a kid
My mother had a brief relationship with my father’s best friend not long after my father died. It caused a lot of resentment and hurt for my sisters and I on top of the fresh grief we were experiencing. It wasn’t like “oh cool, we already know him” it was “how could you both do this??” Neither of them were stable at the time either and I believe though my dad’s friend was grieving he also was taking advantage of my mother being in such a vulnerable state. My guess is Beau is taking advantage that he may only be a good catch to a grieving widow right now. That was just my dad’s friend I can’t imagine what these kids are experiencing with it being their uncle.
Hey Kaiser, I think her name is Hallie.
I remember him getting caught up in that whole Ashley Madison drama a few years back…this whole thing is a mess but if everyone is cool with it then…they like it I love it.
My bad, I fixed it.
It’s Hallie, not Tallie, right?
I think she’s Hallie with an H
Oh this is bad. Sooooo bad. If Hallie is not already in therapy she needs to go. Her children are minors who lost their father very recently. If half of what is being said is true this is NOT the situation she or they should be in. This will end very badly.
Not very recently. It’s been 20 months since they lost their father. I would hope the family were in therapy before now.
I rather hope Joe publicly approved of this mess just to keep the peace, and that he privately urges Hallie to see a good therapist. On his dime if need be.
Sadly I think that’s exactly why he did it. Also given the choices she’s making I don’t think she’s in a good place and I would worry that if he spoke out against them she might interfere with his time with the grandchildren. They’re going to need him.
This just so sad.
This is wrong on every damm level.
This is a mess. Drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, major debt, probably all the STI’s. What a healthy environment to bring her children into. Since they’re family shouldn’t Hallie know some/if not all of this information? She’s obviously devastated about her husband, but this is the worst rebound ever.
But I’m sure he’s changed and wouldn’t do that to her*
*Extreme sarcasm
I was surprised to see how many people gave this relationship a pass yesterday. Seems very creepy like she was grief replacing Beau but Hunter is no Beau!
I definitely don’t agree with any of the stuff he has done to his ex wife. But I don’t understand why people are upset with the fact that sometimes people who grieve together bond. This is not incestous nor is it a betrayal. The judgement from some of these comments are ridiculous. I just feel like it’s not our place to give a “pass” to a situation that most of us have never been in.
Not incestous but creepy. Why not go to therapy instead of immediately looking for a replacement.
I agree with you, Alleycat. I lost my brother under sudden and traumatic circumstances, and it only made sense when his longtime partner bonded with his best friend and they are now married. While it’s definitely hard for us (his family), we understand, and they are both lovely people, and we are happy for for them. I know that’s not the same as two brothers, but it definitely gives me perspective for when similar situations happen. That being said, Beau sounds like a complete mess, but here’s hoping everyone has pulled it together.
@Steph It’s been two years since his death, that’s not immediately. Who are we to give a time frame for when she can start dating again?
I’m sorry no. This is wrong however you wish to justify it. Get therapy and then get on tinder. Do not do this to your children who are themselves also grief struck. I hope none of you are this nasty irl and are just arguing this point to pass time to your next appointments. No. Just NO.
I was surprised too. There were so many red flags and if this came into the office where I worked (for therapy) it would raise alarms for every coworker.
I think it’s because Joe and Jill gave that statement so everyone was cool with it. But no this is alarming on all sides
So just to respond to a few upstream comments….seems completely insane to me that losing Beau was traumatic enough to prevent Joe from running for president but not for his widow to soberly decide to get in a relationship with her married, hooker/drugs loving, brother in law.
My mother is also a widow as my dad died relatively young (though older than Beau) also from cancer. My sibling was a minor at the time as well. It is incredibly disorienting to have to parent by yourself particularly when your kids have been traumatized. And if my mom started dating my uncle on this time frame I would be VERY concerned. Additionally, Joe told some story about how Obama offered to loan him money after Beau died because he wasn’t sure how they would make it…which to me sounds like Beau’s financial house wasn’t in order. All that to say that while they undoubtedly bonded over their grief I think that it’s still a yucky and unwise situation.
Obviously nobody in this family has read “Hamlet”…
Another complication is that Michelle Obama and Kathleen are very close friends, as are their daughters. It’s all incredibly messy, but I’m glad that Kathleen has a lot of support. Since she pretty thoroughly trashs Hunter in her divorce filing, I imagine that her relationship with the senior Bidens has suffered. What a sad mess.
Its very telling that Michelle bonded with Kathleen rather than Hallie. Hallie was afterall the politicians wife, you would think there would be more in common there. It just goes to show you that even Mobama smelled the rat in Hallie from the beginning. And now I have greater respect for Michelles people instincts.
That Michelle bonded with Kathleen over Hallie may also have been due to the fact that Hallie’s children are really young in age. The Obama girls hung out with Kathleen’s kids because they were closer to their own ages. It’d be natural for Michelle to be spending more time with Kathleen if their kids played together.
I hate this. Love is love, but this is his deceased brother’s widow. It seems tawdry to me and if like Kaiser said, if even half the rumors are true, he is no prize. Granted he has had a lot of sorrow in his life, with he and Beau losing their mother and sister at such a young age. Maybe psychologically it connects him to Beau somehow. So many injured parties here…..so much therapy needed.
I know that this situation has happened in my family tree, but it was back in the olden days (like 19th century), in a rural area with few prospects for the widow and the 2nd brother was single without kids. It’s not like Hallie doesn’t have other choices. She’s not in a financial bind because her husband died. Most importantly (to me, anyway) – Hunter is not even divorced yet and has kids. Can you imagine trying to do the mental gymnastics of ‘my cousin is now my step-sibling’? Eww.
Buuuuut Grieffff!! This was messy and gross yesterday and it still is today. So many people were giving them a pass yesterday talking about comfort and bs reasoning for this crap. Beyond wrong and screwing their children over… this “couple” needs to consider what this will mean for the family in the future. So much therapy.
Kathleen I bet feels 195 Pounds lighter and then some!… Too bad that’s still gonna be her sister in Law’s Problem.. I guess
I feel for Hallie. She’s not thinking clearly, to get involved with this hot mess. Her poor kids.
That’s what I think too.
God, he’s a right prick. There’ll be tears.
I can’t imagine all of this man’s problems would be news to the sister in law/current girlfriend. Why do women get involved with messy men in the first place? Hoping that ‘oh he’s horrible to other women but he’d never be like that to me’? *eye roll*
At least the wife is taking the high road now. Good on her.
This will end in tears. He will at some point get bored of Hallie and go back to old habits and expect her to foot the bill.
He’s destroyed his own family and now looks to eff up his brothers family just because he can and his father is allowing it to happen. Sad all round and it’s those kids that will hurt the most.
What do you mean his father is allowing it to happen?? These people are adults and Joe is not their keeper:-) Whatever e thinks privately of it one os his son, and the other his widowed daughter-in-law, mother of his grandchildren. What should he do, publicly humiliate them? He can only be there to offer support when these two are willing to accept it.
If Bean weren’t such a mess, I would have no problem with it. I know lots of commenters find it creepy – I don’t. It’s not something I would ever do, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. What is wrong is the whole Beau situation – nasty divorce, terrible personality from all accounts, typical ne’er do well guy who leaves a trail of tears. I wouldn’t recommend him as a relationship prospect to anyone, particularly a recently widowed woman with kids. They all need counselling, pronto. And the kids in particular.
ita to an extent although joe supports all of them
if you brought home a stranger with these attributes, your in laws would call DYFS
Based on the statement that Joe gave where it stated that they were happy that Hunter and Hallie had found each other it does seem to indicate that he could be enabling Hunter’s reckless/irresponsible behaviour with his support of everything that he does. It’s possible that joe is a parent who can’t see their child’s flaws and is always bailing them out. But its his only living son so I can understand why he could be like that. Joe and Jill could easily have said that it was a private family matter that they did not wish to discuss.
I agree that everyone in both families need grief counselling. When the story first broke i was willing to give all parties the benefit of the doubt as I did’t know much about Biden’s sons. But I agree that if Hunter wasn’t such a mess/douche people wouldn’t have a problem with it – but given that he is, the whole situation is going to end badly for all parties involved with Hunter walking away leaving others to pick up after him.
I’m sure Hallie can do better than being her brother-in-law’s rebound. That seems to be not a great idea, especially since he has issues being faithful and apparently with handling finances as well. Girl, swerve. It sounds like trouble on multiple levels.
Do you think they’re using drugs together? I’m not snarking, I’m genuinely asking. It might explain her lapse in judgment. I can see how a “Here, take this, it will help you sleep better” from him could spiral into something more serious for her.
I knew someone who got involved with her deceased husbands best friend shortly after his death. Drugs were absolutely involved.
I’ve seen instances where parents try to “save” that one wildly, self destructive child by basically co-signing and financing things they normally wouldn’t. I can’t imagine the 3 children of Hunter are particularly happy with this.
I don’t know the details, but Hunter has probably always been in Beau’s shadow and subconsciously he could still be competing with him.
This just seems like he may be taken advantage of her grief. I just can’t fathom. ..
Here where I live sometimes we had had stories of widows being forced to get married to their brothers in law after the death of their husbands. It happened in earlier times. It was explained with the fact that the blood should stay within the family. The wealth also. There have bees stories that sometimes the widow was beloved by the family and had small children and sometimes the marriage was an act of mercy, as the celibate younger brother decided to marry his brother’s widow to take care of the small children and the woman. Also keep in mind that in earlier times there were no social services, pensions or other financial support or the possibility to work for woman outside of the house. Orphans more often than not were left to their mercy IF they didn’t have family support as the woman, if young, was married off as soon as possible leaving the children behind.
Now these two may have bonded over their common grief and it doesn’t really matter to me. What matters is the fact that he sounds like a piece of work to me. Who would want that in their life???
A selfish douchebag, a grieving widow (in law) and their kids cousins / now siblings oh what could possibly go wrong…
I do not consider a woman truthfully listing in her divorce petition what was going on within the marriage to be “trashing” the spouse. The truth is the truth and it sounds like it is pretty well known what this Hunter douchebag is like. Although it will be difficult for a while, Kathleen is going to be lucky to have unloaded this loser. (She probably already knows that.)
I was widowed while in my 50s. I was appalled when 4 weeks after my husband’s death one of his male relatives called me to ”’see how I was doing” and 10 minutes into the supposed condolence call was asking me out to dinner, telling me how he “knew how lonely I must be and that he always kind of had a thing for me”. I was so shocked I honestly could not even talk, beyond saying “I have to go now”. But I’ve since learned that this type of thing is not all that uncommon. And yes, being recently widowed is indeed a time when one is vulnerable to drinking too much, taking sleeping pills and sedatives, etc. I found myself needing to be very careful about my wine consumption during that time.
I agree with the person who said Joe Biden should have just said “it’s a personal family matter” and kept his mouth shut. I guess it is possible that he sees this as a positive for his son. And really, it sounds like it is, under the circumstances. As far as Hallie goes, we have no idea what type of a financial situation she was left in. That can be a very big deal for a widow with young children.
Who knows if Beau had any appreciable amount of life insurance? But 20 months is not 2 years and apparently this relationship has been going on for some time now?
It can take several years to fully get your equilibrium back. But there are plenty, plenty of women who fall into a new relationship very quickly after being widowed.
Here’s a story: An old friend of mine and her husband happened to be friends with a rather wealthy couple. Certainly much more wealthy than their “old crowd”. The wealthy guy dropped dead, leaving a younger very wealthy widow. Yep, you guessed it. My friend’s husband and the widow “fell in love” within just a few months of the death. He divorced my friend and promptly married the widow.
And people poke fun at us southerners? Ah ha ha ha #Karma
I went to law school with Hunter, he’s definitely always been messy. But he sure was a hottie when he was younger. Now, not so much. I guess prostititutes and drugs can do that to you.