Presidential Pet

Willow

2018–present

The farm-cat stray who became First Cat of the United States

Owner
President Joe Biden & Dr. Jill Biden
Years
2018–present
Known for
Presidential Pet

Willow is the grey-and-white tabby belonging to President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and the first cat to live in the White House since the George W. Bush administration. Her path to the residence was charmingly humble: in 2020, while Jill Biden was giving a campaign speech at a farm in Pennsylvania, a friendly barn kitten wandered out, hopped up onto the stage and refused to leave the spotlight. Taken with the bold little cat, the Bidens adopted her and named her Willow after Jill Biden's home town of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. She joined the family's German Shepherds and, in early 2022, officially moved into the White House, where she was introduced to the public as the new First Cat. Curious, confident and famously unbothered by the grandeur around her, Willow has been photographed strolling across the press-briefing podium and surveying the State Floor, charming staff and visitors alike. Her arrival was warmly covered by the world's media, and she has settled into the long American tradition of presidential cats with characteristic feline poise.

Fun fact: Willow earned her place in the family by gatecrashing a 2020 campaign speech — leaping onto the stage mid-event and stealing the show, which so charmed Jill Biden that the Bidens adopted her on the spot.

Further reading: Willow on Wikipedia