Who is Hunter Biden?
Hunter Biden (full name: Robert Hunter Biden) is an American lawyer, businessman, author, and visual artist. He is most widely recognized as the son of U.S. President Joe Biden and has been a central figure in American political discourse due to his professional ventures, legal controversies, and personal struggles. Hunter’s life is a complex blend of privilege, tragedy, success, addiction, and public scrutiny. Beyond the headlines, he is also known for his work in law, investment, and art.
Field | Information |
Full Name | Robert Hunter Biden |
Date of Birth | February 4, 1970 |
Place of Birth | Wilmington, Delaware, United States |
Age (2025) | 55 Years |
Nationality | American |
Education | Georgetown University (BA), Yale Law School (JD) |
Profession | Lawyer, Businessman, Artist, Author |
Known For | Son of President Joe Biden, legal controversies, Burisma board, art career |
Political Affiliation | Democratic |
Current Focus | Art, Memoir writing, Family life |
Hunter Biden Early Life
Hunter Biden was born on February 4, 1970, in Wilmington, Delaware, United States. He was the second son of Joe Biden and his first wife, Neilia Biden. At the age of two, Hunter survived a tragic car accident in 1972 that killed his mother and younger sister Naomi, while he and his older brother Beau Biden were severely injured. This early trauma played a significant role in shaping his life.
Growing up in a political household, Hunter was close to his father, who served as a U.S. Senator for decades before becoming Vice President and later President of the United States.
Hunter Biden Education
Hunter attended Archmere Academy, the same Catholic high school as his father and brother. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Georgetown University in 1992. Afterward, he worked in various roles before attending Yale Law School, where he obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) in 1996.
Hunter Biden Family
Hunter Biden has had a complicated personal life marked by marriages, relationships, and children.
- First Marriage: He married Kathleen Buhle in 1993, and the couple had three daughters: Naomi, Finnegan, and Maisy Biden. They divorced in 2017 after 24 years of marriage.
- Relationship with Hallie Biden: After his brother Beau Biden passed away in 2015, Hunter was involved in a brief romantic relationship with Hallie Biden, Beau’s widow. This relationship attracted significant public attention but ended amicably.
- Second Marriage: In 2019, Hunter married Melissa Cohen, a filmmaker from South Africa, after knowing each other for only a week. They have a young son named Beau Biden Jr. named after Hunter’s late brother.
- Paternity Case: Hunter has another child from a relationship with Lunden Roberts, confirmed through a paternity test in 2020.
Relation | Name/Details |
---|---|
Father | Joe Biden (46th President of the United States) |
Mother | Neilia Biden (deceased, 1972 car accident) |
Stepmother | Jill Biden (current First Lady) |
Siblings | Beau Biden (deceased), Naomi Biden (deceased), Ashley Biden (half-sister) |
Ex-Wife | Kathleen Buhle (married 1993, divorced 2017) |
Current Wife | Melissa Cohen (m. 2019, filmmaker) |
Children | Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy (from first marriage); Beau Jr. (with Melissa Cohen); Navy Joan Roberts (from relationship with Lunden Roberts) |
Hunter Biden Career
Hunter Biden’s career spans law, business, investment, and art.
Legal and Business Career
- After graduating from Yale, Hunter worked at MBNA America Bank, where he rose to a senior vice president role.
- He served in the U.S. Department of Commerce during President Bill Clinton’s administration.
- He co-founded several investment and consulting firms, including Rosemont Seneca Partners.
International Business
- Hunter served on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company, from 2014 to 2019. His role attracted political scrutiny due to his father’s position as Vice President, although no formal charges were filed relating to this work.
Art Career
- Since 2021, Hunter has pursued painting professionally, selling abstract art pieces through exhibitions and private sales, generating both praise and criticism.
Hunter Biden Controversies
Hunter Biden has been at the center of multiple controversies over the years, drawing significant public and political attention, especially during his father Joe Biden’s political career. His controversies involve business dealings, personal struggles, and legal issues, making him a frequently discussed figure in American media.
1. Burisma Board Controversy
In 2014, Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma Holdings, a large Ukrainian natural gas company, earning up to $50,000 per month despite having little direct experience in the energy sector. His appointment came while his father, Joe Biden, was serving as U.S. Vice President and overseeing U.S.-Ukraine policy. This raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest. Though multiple investigations found no evidence of illegal activity by Joe Biden, this association was heavily politicized, especially during the 2020 U.S. elections.
2. Laptop and Emails Controversy
In 2020, a laptop allegedly belonging to Hunter Biden was seized by the FBI. Emails from the laptop raised questions about his foreign business dealings, particularly in Ukraine and China. The laptop became the centerpiece of political debates, with critics claiming it showed influence-peddling, while others argued it was part of a disinformation campaign. In 2022, several media outlets verified parts of the laptop data, but no criminal charges tied to the laptop’s content were brought against Hunter Biden.
3. Tax Evasion and Legal Charges
In June 2024, Hunter was convicted of three federal felonies for illegally purchasing a firearm while being addicted to drugs. Later in September 2024, he pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges, admitting to failing to pay over $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019. His legal battles further fueled political attacks, especially from opposition parties.
4. Presidential Pardon
In December 2024, President Joe Biden issued a full pardon to his son, Hunter, covering all federal charges up to that point, including the gun and tax offenses. The pardon sparked political debate, with critics alleging misuse of presidential power, while supporters cited compassion and fairness.
5. Child Support and Paternity Dispute
Hunter faced a high-profile paternity lawsuit from Lunden Roberts, a former stripper from Arkansas, who claimed he fathered her child. After denying paternity, a court-ordered DNA test confirmed him as the father. The legal battle included disputes over child support and personal finances.
6. Drug Addiction and Personal Struggles
Hunter has publicly battled addiction to alcohol and drugs for decades. His struggles with substance abuse were revealed in his memoir “Beautiful Things” (2021), where he openly discussed his darkest moments, including crack cocaine addiction and rehab stints.
7. Recent Media Controversies (2025)
In July 2025, Hunter gave several headline-making interviews:
- He denied involvement with cocaine found at the White House in 2023, despite an FBI probe being reopened.
- Criticized George Clooney and other Democratic donors after they questioned Joe Biden’s fitness for office.
- Blamed Joe Biden’s poor debate performance on sleeping pill misuse, triggering new rounds of media scrutiny.
Hunter Biden Social Media
Hunter Biden maintains a relatively private presence on social media, often using platforms like Instagram for sharing personal moments and art.
Platform | Status / Handle |
@hunterbiden (occasionally active, private life and art promotion) | |
Twitter (X) | No verified active account as of 2025 |
Private profile, not publicly active | |
YouTube | No known official channel |
Public Statements | Occasional interviews, podcasts, limited media appearances |
Hunter Biden Net Worth
Hunter Biden’s exact net worth is estimated to range between $1 million to $5 million, but liabilities may offset his assets significantly.
Category | Details |
Estimated Net Worth | Estimated between $1 million – $5 million (fluctuating due to debts and legal settlements) |
Income Sources | Legal career, business consulting, board roles, book sales, art exhibitions |
Major Assets | Artworks, business investments (previous), book royalties |
Liabilities | High legal fees, lawsuit debts, child support obligations |
Financial Status | Reported financial difficulties, legal settlements ongoing |
Hunter Biden Physical Appearance
Attribute | Description |
Height | Approximately 6 feet (183 cm) |
Weight | Around 78 kg (172 lbs) |
Hair Color | Light Brown to Dark Blonde |
Eye Color | Blue |
Body Type | Average Build |
Distinctive Features | Clean-cut appearance, occasionally wears facial hair, often seen in formal or casual business attire |
Style Preference | Often dressed in suits, relaxed style in artistic settings |
Interesting Facts About Hunter Biden
- Hunter survived a tragic car accident at age two that killed his mother and sister.
- He has battled addiction for years but has openly shared his recovery journey.
- Hunter is a published author; his memoir “Beautiful Things” (2021) details his life struggles.
- He was discharged from the U.S. Navy Reserve after testing positive for cocaine in 2014.
- His business dealings in Ukraine and China became focal points in U.S. political debates.
- Hunter was the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be charged and later pardoned for federal crimes.
- He paints abstract expressionist artworks, with some pieces selling for over $75,000.
- Hunter has frequently been in the spotlight during his father’s presidential campaigns.
- He is multilingual, having studied multiple languages during his academic years.
- Despite controversies, Hunter remains very close to his father, President Joe Biden.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Hunter Biden?
Hunter Biden is an American lawyer, businessman, and artist, best known as the son of U.S. President Joe Biden.
Q2. What is Hunter Biden famous for?
He is known for his professional work in law and business, his role on the Burisma board, his legal controversies, and his abstract artwork.
Q3. How many children does Hunter Biden have?
Hunter has five children from different relationships, including daughters from his first marriage and sons from later relationships.
Q4. What controversies is Hunter Biden involved in?
He has faced legal issues related to taxes, firearm possession, business dealings, and was pardoned by his father in 2024.
Q5. What is Hunter Biden’s current profession?
Hunter is now primarily focused on his career as an artist while dealing with ongoing legal matters.
Q6. Was Hunter Biden ever convicted?
Yes, Hunter was convicted on gun and tax charges in 2024 but received a full presidential pardon.
Q7. How is Hunter Biden’s relationship with Joe Biden?
He maintains a close and supportive relationship with his father, President Joe Biden.
Q8. What is Hunter Biden’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but his net worth is considered modest due to legal debts, reportedly between $1 million to $5 million.
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