Hunter Biden has offered a deeply personal update on his father, former President Joe Biden, describing his ongoing cancer battle as painful and debilitating while saying the 83-year-old continues to remain active.
In an interview with the BBC, Hunter said the cancer has metastasized to his bones and that his father is experiencing significant pain. Despite the difficulties, Hunter said Biden continues to “do his thing” and remains determined to keep going.
A Difficult Time for the Biden Family
Joe Biden’s office announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. The diagnosis came after doctors discovered a prostate nodule during a routine physical examination.
Hunter described watching his father deal with the illness as “really, really hard” and “really sad.” He said he sometimes wishes Biden would complain more about what he is experiencing because of how difficult his condition appears to be.
Despite his health problems, Biden has continued making occasional public appearances and speeches since leaving the White House. Hunter said his father remains motivated by his belief that Americans are not as divided as they sometimes appear.
‘He’s the Rock’ of Our Family
Hunter also spoke about his father’s role within the Biden family, describing him as “the rock” who has supported his children through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Whatever people may think about Joe Biden’s presidency or political decisions, Hunter said he considers him an exceptional father, husband and grandfather. His comments offered a glimpse of the former president away from politics and the intense public scrutiny that surrounded his time in office.
The Biden family’s connection to cancer is also deeply personal. Joe and Jill Biden lost their son Beau Biden to brain cancer in 2015, an experience that later helped inspire the Biden family’s continued focus on cancer research and awareness.
Joe Biden has largely kept his medical treatment private, and his family’s comments remain the primary source for details about his condition. Hunter’s latest remarks therefore provide a rare look at the personal toll of the illness on the former president and those closest to him.
