Howard Krein Biography – Age, Family, Career, Net Worth

Howard Krein is an American otolaryngologist, plastic surgeon, and business executive, widely recognized as the former son-in-law of U.S. President Joe Biden. Born in 1966 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, he is 59 years old as of 2025.

He works as a professor at Thomas Jefferson University, co-directs the Herbert Kean Center for Facial Aesthetics, and serves as the Chief Medical Officer at StartUp Health. In August 2025, his wife Ashley Biden filed for divorce after 13 years of marriage, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Krein has also advised Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign on COVID-19 and served on the Biden Cancer Initiative board from 2017 to 2019.

Howard Krein Wiki/Bio

Full NameHoward David Krein
Date of Birth1966
Age59 years (as of 2025)
ProfessionOtolaryngologist, Plastic Surgeon, Business Executive
HometownCherry Hill, New Jersey, USA
Current ResidencePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
NationalityAmerican

Physical Details

Height5’10” (1.78 m)
Weight72 kg (159 lbs, approx.)
Eye ColorBrown
Hair ColorBrown

Early Life

Howard Krein was born in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in 1966, and raised in a Jewish family. His father, Stanley Krein, worked as an insurance executive and former Aetna marketing director, while his mother, Brenda Ferne “Bunny” Lipner Krein, was a physician assistant in cardiology at Cooper University Hospital.

He grew up with two siblings — Steven and Bari. As a teenager, Krein was active in sports and community service. He competed in CowTown, a weekly rodeo in Pilesgrove, New Jersey, and even volunteered as a firefighter at age 16. In interviews, he has said that growing up in New Jersey taught him resilience and shaped his character. His early love for horses and interest in medicine influenced his later career choice.

Education

Howard Krein completed his B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Neuroscience from Rutgers University. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 1996, followed by an M.D. from Thomas Jefferson University in 2000.

He later completed a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Medical College of Virginia, further specializing in complex facial procedures.

Family

Howard Krein’s parents are Stanley Krein and Brenda Ferne “Bunny” Lipner Krein. He has two siblings: Steven Krein, who is the CEO of StartUp Health, and his sister, Bari.

He married Ashley Biden, the daughter of President Joe Biden, in 2012 after being introduced by Beau Biden in 2010. The couple did not have children. In August 2025, after 13 years of marriage, Ashley filed for divorce.

howard krein and ashley biden
howard krein and ashley biden

Career Highlights

YearAchievement
2007Became assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University
2011Appointed Chief Medical Officer at StartUp Health
2017–2019Served on Biden Cancer Initiative board
2020Advised Joe Biden’s presidential campaign on COVID-19
2025Continued as co-director of Herbert Kean Center for Facial Aesthetics

Career

Howard Krein is a board-certified otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon, specializing in facial and reconstructive surgery. He has been part of Thomas Jefferson University since 2007, where he teaches and co-directs the Herbert Kean Center for Facial Aesthetics.

Apart from his academic and surgical work, Krein is committed to charitable medical services. He volunteers for Faces of Honor, offering reconstructive surgeries to veterans and victims of domestic violence, and has performed operations for children with facial deformities in Belize.

In 2011, he joined StartUp Health as its Chief Medical Officer, helping develop and support healthcare technology companies. His political involvement includes serving on the Biden Cancer Initiative board from 2017 to 2019 and advising Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign on COVID-19 strategies.

Net Worth

Estimated Net Worth (2025)$1–$5 million
Income SourcesMedical practice, teaching, StartUp Health

Howard Krein’s net worth is estimated between $1 and $5 million in 2025. His earnings come from his medical practice, university teaching, and his executive role at StartUp Health.

Controversies

  • Conflict of Interest Concerns (2020): Krein faced scrutiny for advising Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign on COVID-19 while holding an executive role at StartUp Health, which invested in pandemic-related startups. He clarified that he had no formal campaign position.
  • Divorce Filing (2025): Ashley Biden’s divorce filing in August 2025 drew media attention, especially after her social media posts hinted at a fresh chapter in her life. (Source)

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