Kamala Devi Harris, born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, has made history as the first woman, African American, South Asian, and person of Indian descent to serve as Vice President of the United States. Growing up in a multicultural environment shaped her political outlook, influenced by her immigrant parents her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a renowned breast cancer researcher from India, and her father, Donald Harris, an esteemed Jamaican economist. Despite their divorce during her childhood, Harris maintained strong ties to both her Jamaican and Indian roots, often visiting India and cherishing the lessons learned from her family.
Kamala Harris married lawyer Doug Emhoff in 2014, making him the first Second Gentleman of the United States. Emhoff’s children from a previous marriage, Cole and Ella, affectionately call Harris “Momala.” Her younger sister, Maya Harris, is a public policy advocate who has supported Kamala in her political endeavors.
Harris earned her undergraduate degree from Howard University, majoring in political science and economics, before obtaining her Juris Doctor from UC Hastings College of the Law in 1989. Her legal career began as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she focused on violent crime cases. Harris quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the first female District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003. Later, in 2011, she was elected as California’s Attorney General, the first woman and person of color in that role. During her tenure, she advocated for various progressive reforms, including environmental protection and consumer rights.
Harris was elected as the US Senator from California in 2016, succeeding Barbara Boxer. Her Senate career garnered national attention, especially during high-profile hearings where she challenged prominent figures like Jeff Sessions and Brett Kavanaugh. She championed crucial issues, including immigration reform and civil rights, and co-sponsored legislation addressing the opioid crisis and climate change. In 2019, Harris launched her presidential campaign, but it ended before the primaries. Nonetheless, in August 2020, she made history as the first woman of South Asian and African American descent to be nominated for Vice President by a major political party.
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States, becoming the highest-ranking female official in US history. Her vice presidency has focused on economic recovery, voting rights, and foreign policy, positioning her as a pivotal figure in the Biden administration, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee, running alongside Tim Walz against Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. Harris’s net worth is estimated at around $8 million, boosted by her career and authored works, including “Smart on Crime” and her memoir “The Truths We Hold.”
Throughout her career, Harris has received numerous accolades for her contributions to public service and social justice. She has been recognized multiple times in Time magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People and has been honored by organizations such as the NAACP and The National Women’s Hall of Fame for her dedication to civil rights and women’s empowerment. Additionally, she holds honorary doctorates from the University of Southern California and Howard University, reflecting her impactful achievements.
