Hear the 1972 Condolence Call Richard Nixon Made to Joe Biden After His Wife & Daughter Were Killed

AP

BuzzFeed's Andrew Kaczynski has unearthed audio of the 1972 condolence call President Richard Nixon made to newly-elected Sen. Joe Biden after his wife and daughter were killed in a car crash.

"Senator I know this is a very tragic day for you but I wanted you to know that all of us here at the White House are thinking about you and praying for you and also for your two children," Nixon's gravelly voice says.

Biden had just won his first Senate race when his wife Neilia and 13-month-old daughter were killed in the crash in Delaware several days before Christmas. Biden's sons Beau and Hunter were also seriously injured; Biden was sworn in at Beau's hospital bedside.

Nixon adds, "she was there when you won a great victory and now I'm sure that she'll be watching you from now on. Good luck to you."

"Thank you very much, Mr. President. I appreciate your call," Biden replies.

​This post has been updated to add the extended version of the call.