Beau Biden Dead From Brain Cancer At 46

Beau Biden, who followed his father, Vice President Joe Biden, into politics and was twice elected attorney general of Delaware, died Saturday of brain cancer nearly two years after he was first diagnosed. Beau Biden was 46.

The younger Biden, who suffered from various health problems in recent years, was hospitalized this month at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for then-undisclosed reasons. He suffered a mild stroke in 2010 and three years later underwent surgery at a Texas cancer center to remove what was describe as a small lesion.

He announced last year that he would not seek a third term as attorney general and instead planned to run for governor in 2016.

‘‘It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life,’’ the vice president said late Saturday, announcing the death of the oldest of his three children.

‘‘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,’’ he said.

President Barack Obama said he and his wife, Michelle, were grieving alongside the Biden family.

‘‘Michelle and I humbly pray for the good Lord to watch over Beau Biden, and to protect and comfort his family here on Earth,’’ Obama said in a separate statement.

The vice president said his son dedicated his life to service during stints as a lawyer, major in the Delaware National Guard and as state attorney general.