It was the night last March when Joe Biden knew in his heart he had seen off his Democratic rivals and earned the right to go head-to-head with Donald Trump in the presidential election. Back then, the coronavirus had yet to devastate America.
Big gatherings were not considered a health hazard. So the former Vice President celebrated his string of victories on a date in the US political calendar known as Super Tuesday, in front of a packed crowd of supporters at an outdoor rally in Los Angeles. With his wife Jill and sister Valerie at his side, the 50-year Washington veteran’s trademark grin seemed wider and brighter than ever.
Five minutes into his victory speech, however, there was a commotion behind him, and the future President’s face betrayed concern, even alarm. A protester had somehow evaded security and jumped on the stage. Alert to the danger, Jill managed to block the protester from reaching her husband. Then, as the first protester was bundled away by security, another rushed the podium. This time, Jill leapt to her husband’s defence, raising her arms to stop what turned out to be an anti-dairy activist.
Her poise in that dramatic moment was extraordinary. “We’re okay, it’s okay,” she reassured her husband, as campaign aides belatedly managed to restore order. Then she started clapping, like a mother on the sidelines encouraging a child who has just been tackled to get on with the game. Her broad smile was the signal for Joe to resume his speech.
Within seconds, Jill had gone viral. She was trending on Twitter. She became the heroine of a torrent of admiring memes.
This story is from the February 2021 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2021 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Cooking for one
Looking for a tasty weeknight dinner? Our quick and easy meat-free curry is full of flavour.
Two-minute exercise
No time? Short on energy? Two minutes might be all it takes to change your life.
New threads
In 1993 Elaine George made history as Australia's first Indigenous cover star. Thirty years later she's back in front of the camera with her daughter, Taylor, to showcase First Nations designers and artists.
Terms of endearment
While the phrases our mums once used don't date so well, other life lessons stay the distance.
Sisters of Maya
In the Yucatán jungles of Mexico, lives are changing for the better, thanks to a trailblazing farm where women dare to dream.
Unseen ABBA
Swedish foursome ABBA have released a book of joyful photos from their glorious career, including some even they hadn't seen before.
Inside the BILLIONAIRE BOHEMIAN CLUB
Welcome to the most secretive club on Earth, where world leaders, movie stars and business tycoons kick up their heels behind locked gates in the bucolic Californian countryside.
ROBERT IRWAN 'I wish could ask Dad for advice'
As the son of Steve Irwin, he's spent his entire life in the public domain, continuing to spread his father's message. Now, aged 20, Robert has found love, and is striking out in a new direction.
LANI D ANIELS Warrior woman
The world champion boxer from a tiny Northland village opens up about the childhood tragedy that led her to drink and drugs, and the sport that saved her life.
KING CHARLES III Royal lears & missing Mummy
In an old-fashioned world of restraint and formality, young King Charles craved his mother's affection and suffered at school, reveals Ingrid Seward in her new biography, My Mother and I.