In what appears to be the result of two years battling brain cancer, Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III has passed away at the age of 46, according to The Washington Post.

Beau is the oldest son of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, and he was a rising political star. He served as a major in the Delaware Army National Guard's Judge Advocate General Corps. In 2013, he underwent treatment and surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston following his diagnosis.

He endured radiation and chemotherapy following the procedure, and in November of that year, he was considered to have a clean bill of health.

The good news did not last long though. A recurrence this spring led him to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethseda for more treatment in his battle against brain cancer, which had been mostly kept secret from the public by his father.

"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, Natalie and Hunter," a statement by Vice President Biden read, which was released Saturday night.

Beau and brother Hunter were considered father Biden's miracle children after they had both survived an accident in 1972. Biden's wife and 1-year-old daughter did not make it out of that accident.

Biden had just recently been elected to Senate at the time in 1972 and almost didn't take the oath of office, staying at Beau and Hunter's bedside night and day.

But Beau did live through the ordeal and was quickly rising through the political ranks, on his way to becoming the highest prospect in the 2016 race for the next Delaware governor.

President Obama released a statement late Saturday night describing Beau as "a good, big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and deeply faithful man, who made a difference in the lives of all he touched -- and he lives on in their hearts."

The statement continued, "But for all that Beau Biden achieved in his life, nothing made him prouder; nothing made him happier; nothing claimed a fuller focus of his love and devotion than his family."

Beau Biden also served a tour in Iraq between 2008 and 2009 with the Delaware Army National Guard. Beau is survived by his wife Hallie Biden and his children, Natalie and Hunter.