Hunter Biden is opening up about the difficult reality of watching his father, former President Joe Biden, battle stage 4 prostate cancer.
Hunter said the illness has taken a physical toll on Joe, but the 83-year-old former president remains active and continues to speak publicly about the country.
During an August 7 interview with the BBC, Hunter was asked how his father was doing amid his ongoing cancer treatment.
“It’s really tough, and that’s the real answer,” Hunter said.
Hunter, 56, explained that Joe remains at the center of the Biden family because of his role as a father and grandfather, not simply because of his decades in public service.
“It’s really, really hard and it’s really sad to watch,” he said.
Hunter Discusses His Father’s Pain
Hunter said his father’s cancer has metastasized to his bones and other areas, causing significant pain.
“It’s very debilitating in many respects, but he’s still out there,” Hunter said, according to The Associated Press. “He’s still doing this thing because he still believes in this country.”
Hunter added that he sometimes wishes his father would be more open about the pain he is experiencing.
Despite his health challenges, Joe has continued making public appearances and working on projects important to him.
Joe Announced His Diagnosis in 2025
Joe’s office announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
The diagnosis came after he experienced urinary symptoms and doctors discovered a prostate nodule. Testing revealed a Gleason score of 9, which indicated an aggressive form of the disease.
Doctors also determined that the cancer had already spread to his bones. His office said at the time that the cancer appeared to be hormone-sensitive, allowing it to be managed through available treatments.
Joe later underwent radiation and hormone therapy as part of his treatment plan.
Jill Biden Has Seen Him Slow Down
GettyFormer first lady Dr. Jill Biden also discussed her husband’s health during a June appearance on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast.
“He’s doing OK. He does have stage IV cancer,” Jill said. “He will forever have cancer. He will forever be on medicine, and he’s 83.”
Jill said Joe has continued working, traveling, speaking and writing a book. However, she has noticed that he is more tired and has begun to slow down.
“Cancer really takes a toll,” she said. Jill described the diagnosis as a “cruel blow” but praised her husband’s resilience.
She recalled that their granddaughter Naomi Biden offered to visit with her young son, William, and stay for a month to help care for him.
The Biden family has faced cancer before. Joe and Jill’s eldest son, Beau Biden, died from glioblastoma in 2015 at age 46.
Following Beau’s death, Joe became a prominent advocate for cancer research. As vice president, he led the Cancer Moonshot initiative, which he later relaunched during his presidency.
