Jason Reed/Reuters
Beau Biden, 46, the eldest son of Vice President Joe Biden, has died of brain cancer, the White House announced Saturday evening. "The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beau's spirit will live on in all of us—especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter," the vice president said in a statement.
"Beau's life was defined by service to others. As a young lawyer, he worked to establish the rule of law in war-torn Kosovo. A major in the Delaware National Guard, he was an Iraq War veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star. As Delaware's Attorney General, he fought for the powerless and made it his mission to protect children from abuse."
In a separate statement, President Obama offerd his condolences. "Michelle and I are grieving tonight," the statement read. "Beau Biden was a friend of ours. His beloved family – Hallie, Natalie, and Hunter – are friends of ours. And Joe and Jill Biden are as good as friends get."
"Like his dad, Beau was a good, big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and deeply faithful man, who made a difference in the lives of all he touched – and he lives on in their hearts," the statement continued.
Beau Biden was admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda on May 19, CNN reported at the time, but no information was given on what he was being treated for. He was fighting for his life, the Washington Post reported. On Saturday night, he finally lost that battle.