Former VP Joe Biden's Son Hunter Dating Late Brother Beau's Widow
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Joe Biden's son is dating the widow of the former vice president's other son, the late Beau Biden.
Biden confirmed a report in the New York Post that Hallie Biden and Hunter Biden began dating after Hunter separated from his wife.
In a statement to the Post, Hunter Biden said the pair was "incredibly lucky'' to have found love and support from one another during a difficult time.
The Post also quoted a statement from the former vice president and his wife saying the couple had their "full and complete support'' and that they were happy for them.
As CBS2's Jessica Moore reported, reaction to the news was mixed online and on the street.
"I think people should be free to engage in whatever kinds of relationships they want to," said Tim Samara of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
"That was your sister in law for so long, and now you're dating her?" said Lindsay Green of East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
"Sometimes you find comfort, you find love in someone that's already close to you, and you start seeing them differently, so I don't see anything wrong with it," said Elaine Peralta of Riverdale, the Bronx.
Bereavement counselor Diana Nash has spent the past 20 years helping people deal with an unexpected romance that often comes with grief.
"It's most natural that this would happen," Nash said. "They're good friends, and probably very, very good in terms of a relationship. They really know each other –- the good, the bad, the ugly."
Beau Biden, the former Delaware attorney general, died from brain cancer in May 2015. He was 46.
In October of that year, Hunter Biden and his wife, Kathleen, separated. They went on to file for divorce in December 2015.
The timeline of Hallie and Hunter Biden's relationship is not clear, but Nash said they likely connected over the shared grief.
"When you're in a trauma together like that, it helps you bond," Nash said. "It brings you close."
Hallie and Beau Biden have two children. Hunter Biden and his ex-wife have three.
CBS2 wondered -- how might the kids be feeling the impact of this new relationship?
"Kids are really more resilient and more open and loving to many kinds of relationship combinations than are adults," Nash said. "So my guess is, if properly presented, they'll be OK."
On Wednesday, the former vice president confirmed his son's new romance, saying in a statement: "We are all lucky that Hunter and Hallie found each other as they were putting their lives together again after such sadness. They have mine and Jill's full and complete support and we are happy for them."
Five months after Beau Biden's death, the former vice president announced in October 2015 that he would not be entering into the 2016 presidential race, saying he might not be emotionally ready to run.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
