Ashley Biden’s Late Brother Beau Set Her Up with Husband Howard Krein Before His Death: Inside the Couple’s 15-Year Relationship

Ashley Biden, daughter of former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, has filed for divorce from her husband, Dr. Howard Krein, after 13 years together.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Ashley, 44, submitted the paperwork on Monday, August 11, in Philadelphia. She and Krein, 58, were married on June 2, 2012.

Ashley met Krein in 2010 through her late brother, Beau Biden. At the time, Beau was recovering from a stroke in the hospital. When Ashley came to visit, Krein — who knew Beau — was already there. After meeting her, Krein asked Beau if he could set them up. At first, Ashley said no, but Beau convinced her to give him a chance.

Krein is a plastic surgeon with both an M.D. and a Ph.D. He has worked as an associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University and as chief medical officer for a health innovation company.

Two years after meeting, Ashley and Krein were married in an interfaith Catholic and Jewish ceremony at the Delaware church where Ashley was baptized. The reception was held in the Biden family’s backyard, with Joe Biden personally helping set up.

Beau, who introduced the couple, attended their wedding, but just five years later, he passed away from brain cancer at age 46. Ashley has honored his memory over the years, including by founding the clothing brand Livelihood, whose logo is a tribute to him.

Ashley is Joe Biden’s only child with Jill Biden, but she has a close relationship with her half-brothers Beau and Hunter Biden from Joe’s first marriage. She is private on social media but often shares family photos.

Krein has kept a low public profile throughout their marriage, occasionally joining Ashley for major events. Most recently, he was seen with her in July 2025 at the White House when Joe Biden announced he would not run for reelection.

Since leaving the White House in January, Ashley and Krein have largely stayed out of the spotlight. Neither has spoken publicly about the divorce.