Kamala Devi Harris made history as the first female, first African American, and first Asian American Vice President of the United States. Her groundbreaking career in law and politics has established her as one of the most influential political figures in American history.
Biography Table
| Full Name | Kamala Devi Harris |
|---|---|
| Age | 60 years |
| Birth Date | October 20, 1964 |
| Birth Place | Oakland, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Politician, Attorney |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Height | 5'4" (1.63 m) |
| Net Worth (2025) | $8-10 million (estimated) |
| Spouse | Douglas Emhoff (m. 2014) |
| Education | Howard University (BA), UC Law San Francisco (JD) |
Early Life & Background
Born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, Kamala Devi Harris was raised in a household shaped by activism and academic excellence. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was a biomedical scientist from India, while her father, Donald J. Harris, is a professor emeritus of economics at Stanford University who emigrated from Jamaica.
Harris's parents divorced when she was young, and she was primarily raised by her mother, who had a significant influence on her development. Shyamala instilled in Kamala and her younger sister Maya strong values regarding education, cultural pride, and civic responsibility.
Growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Berkeley, California, young Kamala was bussed to school as part of integration efforts—an experience she would later reference during her political career.
Harris attended Westmount High School in Quebec during her teenage years when her mother took a position at McGill University. After graduating in 1981, she returned to the United States to attend Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics in 1986. She then pursued her law degree at UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of the Law), graduating in 1989.
Career Journey
Harris's legal career began in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where she specialized in prosecuting cases of child sexual assault. In 2003, she achieved her first major political milestone when she was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first Black woman to hold this position.
Her tenure as San Francisco DA was marked by innovative approaches to criminal justice, including the Back on Track program designed to reduce recidivism among first-time drug offenders. This program would later serve as a model for similar initiatives nationwide.
In 2010, Harris broke another barrier by becoming California's first female and first African American Attorney General. During her six years in this role, she gained national attention for her work on mortgage settlements following the 2008 financial crisis, securing significant concessions from major banks to benefit California homeowners.
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Her political ascent continued in 2016 when she was elected to the United States Senate, representing California. As a senator, Harris served on several key committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee, where her prosecutorial background informed her pointed questioning during high-profile hearings.
Rise to Vice Presidency
Harris's national profile rose dramatically during her time in the Senate, leading to her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Though she eventually withdrew from the primary race, Joe Biden selected her as his running mate in August 2020, recognizing her appeal to diverse constituencies and her prosecutorial skills.
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States, shattering multiple glass ceilings in American politics. As Vice President, she took on several critical portfolios, including addressing the root causes of migration from Central America and leading on voting rights initiatives.
Her historic oath of office, taken with her hand on two Bibles—one belonging to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and the other to family friend Regina Shelton—symbolized the convergence of personal heritage and public service that defines her career.
Harris served as Vice President until January 2025, completing her term alongside President Biden.
Personal Life
Kamala Harris married attorney Douglas Emhoff on August 22, 2014, in a ceremony presided over by her sister Maya. The marriage marked several firsts: Emhoff became the first Second Gentleman of the United States and the first Jewish spouse of a Vice President when Harris took office.
Though Harris does not have biological children, she has embraced her role as "Momala" to Emhoff's two children from his previous marriage, Cole and Ella. The blended family has been publicly supportive of Harris throughout her political career, with both stepchildren making appearances at major events.
Harris maintains close ties with her extended family, including her sister Maya Harris, a lawyer and policy advocate, and her niece Meena Harris, an attorney and author. Family gatherings often feature her famous homemade dishes, as cooking remains one of her personal passions outside of politics.
Net Worth & Financial Success
As of 2025, Kamala Harris's estimated net worth stands between $8-10 million, accumulated through various sources:
- Government Salaries: Income from her positions as District Attorney, Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President
- Book Deals: Revenue from her memoirs "The Truths We Hold" and "Smart on Crime"
- Speaking Engagements: Post-Vice Presidency speaking fees
- Joint Assets with Douglas Emhoff: Including real estate and investments
Financial disclosures during her vice presidency revealed significant joint assets with Emhoff, whose successful legal career contributed substantially to their household wealth. Their portfolio includes properties in California and Washington, D.C., retirement accounts, and various investments.
Physical Attributes
Kamala Harris stands at 5'4" (1.63 m) and is known for her polished, professional appearance. Her distinctive style includes tailored suits and her signature pearl necklaces, which hold special significance as a nod to her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first historically African American sorority.
Notable Facts & Trivia
- Harris's first name, Kamala, means "lotus flower" in Sanskrit
- She is a member of the "Divine Nine"—the historically Black sororities and fraternities
- Harris plays the role of mentor to many young women in politics
- She is known to be an avid cook who enjoys preparing Sunday dinners
- Her autobiography "The Truths We Hold" became a New York Times bestseller
- She collects Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers
- Harris has made several appearances on cooking shows demonstrating her culinary skills
Accomplishments
During her career, Harris achieved numerous legislative and policy accomplishments:
- Negotiated a $25 billion settlement with major banks during the foreclosure crisis as California Attorney General
- Led initiatives on criminal justice reform, focusing on rehabilitation rather than incarceration
- Championed LGBTQ+ rights, refusing to defend California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage
- Advanced maternal health legislation focusing on racial disparities in healthcare outcomes
- Supported expanded access to affordable healthcare and education
Controversies
Like most high-profile politicians, Harris has faced criticism from various quarters. Conservative critics have questioned her progressive policies on immigration and criminal justice reform, while some progressives have scrutinized her prosecutorial record. Her evolution on certain policy positions has drawn both praise for growth and criticism for inconsistency.
FAQ
Q: What did Kamala Harris do before entering politics?
A: Before politics, Harris was a prosecutor, working in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and later as a deputy district attorney in San Francisco.
Q: What historic firsts did Kamala Harris achieve?
A: Harris was the first female, first African American, and first Asian American Vice President of the United States. She was also California's first female and first Black Attorney General.
Q: Where did Kamala Harris go to college?
A: She attended Howard University for her undergraduate degree and UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of Law) for her JD.
Q: Is Kamala Harris married?
A: Yes, she is married to Douglas Emhoff, whom she wed in 2014.
Q: Does Kamala Harris have children?
A: She does not have biological children but is stepmother to her husband's two children from a previous marriage, Cole and Ella Emhoff.
Kamala Harris's multifaceted career represents a pioneering journey through American politics. From her early days as a prosecutor to her historic vice presidency, she has consistently broken barriers while advocating for vulnerable communities. Her continued presence in American politics underscores her enduring impact on the national landscape.