Kamala Harris became the first black woman to become the Vice President of the United States of America. She took over the office in the year 2020 as the 49th Vice President of the States under Joe Biden. She was considered one of the highest-ranking female officials in the country during her tenure. She also contested the 2024 elections for the presidency. If you wish to know more about the lineage of Kamala Harris, you are right where you should be. This article brings you all the details about Kamala Harris’s parents and family tree tracing her lineage and ancestry.
Who were Kamala Harris’s Parents?
Kamala Devi Harris was born on the 20th of October 1964 in a family that was living in Oakland, California. Her parents got married in 1963. Her parents were highly educated individuals who had a great impact on the development of science and economics in the United States of America. The following is a detailed description of who exactly were her parents and what was their contribution to society.
Kamala Harris’s Mother Shyamala Gopalan
Kamala Harris’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was an immigrant from India who came to the United States in 1958. She came to the States to pursue graduation in endocrinology from the University of California, Berkeley. She soon became a biologist and had one of the most inspiring careers that spanned across decades. Her work on the progesterone receptor gene became the stepping stone for major advancements in breast cancer research. Shyamala died at the age of 70 from colon cancer.
Kamala Harris’s Father Donald J. Harris
Kamala Harris’s father, Donald J. Harris was an immigrant from Jamaica of African descent. He came to the United States of America in 1961. He first achieved a bachelor’s degree in arts at the University of London. He then came to pursue higher education and enrolled himself at the University of California, Berkeley. He specialized in development economics.
He became the first black scholar who was granted a tenure at the economics department of Stanford University. He earned emeritus status at Stanford University and retained his title. He taught at the University of Illinois as well as the University of Wisconsin and Northwestern University. He met Kamala’s mother at UC, Berkeley.
Who Is Kamala Harris’s Sister?
Kamala Harris’s parents had two daughters, Kamala herself and her sister Maya Harris. Maya is the younger sibling of Kamala Harris who came into this world in the year 1967. Maya, like her parents, received her bachelor’s degree in Arts from the University of California, Berkeley. She also attended Stanford University and received a Juris Doctorate with distinction.
After clerking for the district court judge James Ware, she worked in civil as well as criminal litigation. Later, she became a professor of law at the San Francisco School of Law, U.C. She also taught at the Hastings College of the Law and New College of California School of Law.
She was one of the senior policy advisors under Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. She also worked for foundations like PolicyLink, the Ford Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Center for American Progress. She also acted as the chairwoman of Kamala’s presidential campaign.
Who Is Kamala Harris’s Husband?
Douglas Emhoff married Kamala Harris in 2014 and became the first Jewish spouse of an American Vice President. He was born on the 13th of October 1964 and his marriage with Kamala was his second marriage. The first was with Kerstin Mackin. He had a son and a daughter with Kerstin but the couple later divorced in 2008.
He received his bachelor’s of Arts degree in communication from the California State University, Northridge. He then attended the USC Gould School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate in 1990.
A friend reportedly set him up for a date with Kamala Harris in 2013. The couple later got married a year later with a ceremony that honored both Indian and Jewish cultures. Douglas Emhoff is currently teaching at Georgetown Law.
Who Is Kamala Harris’s Stepson?
Cole Emhoff is the son of Douglas Emhoff from his first marriage. After Kamala’s marriage with Douglas, she wholeheartedly accepted him as her stepson. Cole received his graduation degree in the year 2017 from Colorado College. He now works in the position of an executive assistant at Plan B Entertainment.
Cole married Greenley Littlejohn in the year 2023. His wife currently works in LA in the position of global product development manager at Brand I.D. Kamala participated in the wedding along with the entire family of the groom and bride blessing the couple with a happy marriage.
Who Is Kamala Harris’s Stepdaughter?
Ella Emhoff is also the daughter of Douglas Emhoff from his marriage with Kerstin. She is currently working as a model and a popular fashion designer. She majored in fine arts at the Parsons School of Design and received her bachelor’s degree in 2017. She reportedly signed with the IMG Models according to the President of IMG. In the month of April 2022, she launched her knitwear line. Later in 2024, she also launched a knitting club. She was born to a Jewish father. But, she does not identify as a Jew.
Conclusion
Kamala Harris’s family is full of significantly influential people. Her mother was one of the leading biologists whose work helped in advancements in breast cancer research. Her father became the first black scholar to work with Stanford University. Her sister was one of the policy advisors in Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Her husband is currently teaching at Georgetown Law and her stepson is an executive assistant at an entertainment company. Her stepdaughter is also a famous model. Her diverse family touches multiple industries and that may be one of the main reasons why she possessed so much knowledge.v
