Kamala Harris Biography
Kamala Harris, born on October 20, 1964 is the 49th Vice President of the United States, serving since January 20, 2021. She is the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Asian American to hold the office.
Prior to her vice presidency, Harris served as a United States Senator from California from 2017 to 2021 and as the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017. She is a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, immigration reform, and women’s rights, among other issues.
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Profile Summary
| Full Name | Kamala Devi Harris |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Politician, Entrepreneur, Vice President of the United States |
| Preceded By | Mike Pence |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Douglas Emhoff (married since 2014) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Parents | Shyamala Gopalan (mother), Donald J. Harris (father) |
| Current Residence | Number One Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C. |
| Education | Howard University (B.A.), University of California, Hastings College of the Law (J.D.) |
| Children | Cole and Ella Emhoff |
| Notable Achievement(s) | First woman, first African American, and first Asian American to become U.S. Vice President |
| Assumed Office | January 20, 2021 |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Net Worth | Estimated $6-7 million (as of 2024 |
Early Life and Biography
Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a breast cancer researcher from India, while her father, Donald J. Harris, is a professor emeritus of economics at Stanford University, originally from Jamaica.
This multicultural background would shape Harris’s worldview and influence her future career. Growing up in Berkeley, California, Harris was exposed to civil rights activism from an early age. Her parents were involved in the civil rights movement, and she often attended protests with them.
After her parents divorced when she was seven, Harris and her younger sister Maya were primarily raised by their mother.
Educational Background
Harris attended Thousand Oaks Elementary School in Berkeley, which was part of a desegregation program that bused students from predominantly Black neighborhoods to schools in more affluent areas. This experience would later inform her views on education and racial equality.
For high school, Harris moved to Montreal, Canada, where her mother had accepted a research position. She attended Westmount High School, becoming fluent in French and developing a broader international perspective.
Returning to the United States for college, Harris chose to attend Howard University, a historically Black institution in Washington, D.C. There, she majored in political science and economics, joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and becoming involved in campus politics.
After graduating in 1986, Harris returned to California to pursue her law degree at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, earning her J.D. in 1989.
Career
Legal Career
Harris’s legal career began in 1990 when she joined the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office as a deputy district attorney. She quickly gained a reputation as a tough prosecutor, focusing on cases involving child sexual assault.
In 1998, Harris moved to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she led the Career Criminal Unit. Her work in this role caught the attention of San Francisco City Attorney Louise Renne, who recruited Harris to join her office in 2000.
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Political Career
Harris’s political career took off in 2003 when she was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first person of color to hold that position. During her tenure, she implemented innovative programs to reduce recidivism and provide job training for ex-offenders.
In 2010, Harris made history again by becoming the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to be elected as California’s Attorney General. In this role, she tackled a wide range of issues, including mortgage fraud, criminal justice reform, and environmental protection.
Swearing In
Harris’s national profile continued to rise, and in 2016, she was elected to the United States Senate, becoming only the second African American woman and first South Asian American to serve in that body. As a senator, she gained attention for her sharp questioning during committee hearings and her advocacy for progressive policies.
In 2019, Harris launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination but withdrew before the primaries began. However, her performance during the campaign caught the attention of Joe Biden, who selected her as his running mate in August 2020.
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States, making history as the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to hold the office.
Personal Life
Kamala Harris married Douglas Emhoff, an entertainment lawyer, on August 22, 2014, in Santa Barbara, California. The ceremony was officiated by Harris’s sister, Maya. Through this marriage, Harris became stepmother to Emhoff’s two children from a previous marriage, Cole and Ella.
She maintains a close relationship with her sister Maya, who has been a key advisor throughout her political career. Harris is also known for her close bond with her niece, Meena Harris, who has become a prominent author and activist in her own right.
Outside of her political career, Harris is known for her love of cooking and often shares recipes and cooking tips. She’s also an avid reader and has cited authors like Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou as significant influences.
Harris identifies as Baptist and has spoken about the role of faith in her life, particularly the influence of her grandfather, who was a diplomat and a devout Hindu.
Publications
Kamala Harris has authored two books:
- “Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer” (2009): Co-authored with Joan O’C. Hamilton, this book outlines Harris’s approach to criminal justice reform.
- “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey” (2019): This memoir traces Harris’s life from childhood through her political career, exploring themes of justice, equality, and the American dream.
Additionally, Harris has written a children’s book titled “Superheroes Are Everywhere” (2019), which encourages children to recognize the everyday heroes in their lives.
Social Media Presence
Kamala Harris maintains an active presence on various social media platforms:
Twitter: @VP (official Vice Presidential account) and @KamalaHarris (personal account)
Instagram: @VP (official) and @KamalaHarris (personal)
Facebook: @VicePresidentKamalaHarris (official) and @KamalaHarris (personal)
YouTube: The White House channel features content related to her role as Vice President
Through these platforms, Harris shares updates on her work, engages with supporters, and promotes her policy initiatives. Her social media presence has been crucial in connecting with younger voters and amplifying her message to a broader audience.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Kamala Harris’s net worth is estimated to be between $6 million and $7 million. This wealth comes from various sources, including her salary as a public official, book royalties, and her husband’s income as a successful attorney.
Financial disclosures have shown that the couple’s assets include real estate in California and Washington D.C., retirement accounts, and investments.
It’s worth noting that Harris’s net worth increased significantly following the success of her books and her marriage to Douglas Emhoff in 2014. However, as Vice President, Harris has placed her assets in a blind trust to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
FAQs
What is Kamala Harris’s ethnic background?
Kamala Harris is of mixed heritage. Her mother was from India, and her father is from Jamaica, making her both African American and South Asian American.
What was Kamala Harris’s career before becoming Vice President?
Before becoming Vice President, Harris served as a U.S. Senator from California, California’s Attorney General, and the District Attorney of San Francisco.
Is Kamala Harris married and does she have children?
Yes, Kamala Harris is married to Douglas Emhoff. She doesn’t have biological children but is stepmother to Emhoff’s two children from a previous marriage.
What historic firsts did Kamala Harris achieve when she became Vice President?
Harris became the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian American to hold the office of Vice President of the United States.
What are some of Kamala Harris’s key political positions?
Harris is known for her progressive stances on issues such as criminal justice reform, healthcare access, immigration reform, climate change action, and women’s rights.
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