Former U.S. President Joe Biden shared a message of optimism and unity during the holiday season, referring to the birth of his great-grandson, Willy. He described meeting the child during his first year of life as “a blessing” and as a lasting reminder of hope for the country’s future.

Joe Biden and his wife Jill introduced their first great-grandchild to the public by sharing photos on social media shortly after his birth in California, about a year ago.

Jill Biden’s Message and First Photos

In an Instagram post, Jill Biden presented the newest member of the family, sharing a photo in which the president is holding his great-grandson while she adjusts the baby’s hat.

“We are proud to introduce our great-grandson: William Brannon Neal IV,” she wrote in the caption of the post on January 8, 2025.

Announcement Made During Crisis Briefing

Joe Biden first announced the birth on January 8, 2025, while briefing reporters about the devastating wildfires affecting Los Angeles.

“The good news is that today I became a great-grandfather,” he said at the time, noting that the baby was born in California, weighing 4.7 kilograms.

One Year Later

Nearly a year later, Biden shared a photo of his great-grandson and wrote:

“With our hearts full of light and love, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Getting to know our great-grandson Willy during his first year of life has been a blessing and a reminder of the hope we will always have for the future. Our wish for you and for our country is that we continue to find love, kindness, and compassion in one another.”

The Next Generation of the Biden Family

The child’s mother, Naomi Biden, is the daughter of Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle. She announced her pregnancy in November 2023, sharing a photo on Instagram showing her baby bump.

William is Naomi Biden’s first child with her husband, Peter Neal, and the first great-grandchild of the presidential couple. Joe Biden has two living children and seven grandchildren.

Naomi Biden, the president’s eldest grandchild, married Peter Neal in November 2022 at the White House. In a previous interview with Vogue, she spoke about living at the White House during the wedding preparations and her close relationship with her grandfather.