Kamala Harris is an American politician and lawyer who has been serving as the 49th Vice President of the United States since January 20, 2021. Born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, Harris is the daughter of Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist who emigrated from India, and Donald J. Harris, an economics professor at Stanford University who emigrated from Jamaica.
Harris grew up in Oakland and attended public schools before attending Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics. She then earned her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1989.
After law school, Harris worked as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, before being appointed as the head of the Career Criminal Unit in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. In 2003, she was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first woman, the first African American, and the first Indian American to hold the position. As District Attorney, Harris gained national attention for her efforts to reform the criminal justice system and reduce recidivism rates.
In 2010, Harris was elected as Attorney General of California, becoming the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. During her tenure, she fought for homeowners facing foreclosure, secured over $20 billion for California in a settlement with major banks, and successfully defended California’s marriage equality laws in federal court.
In 2016, Harris was elected to the United States Senate, representing California. During her time in the Senate, she has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, immigration reform, and women’s reproductive rights. In 2020, Harris was selected as Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, becoming the first African American and Indian American woman to be nominated for Vice President by a major political party. The Biden-Harris ticket won the election and was inaugurated on January 20, 2021.
As for Harris’s wealth, she has a reported net worth of approximately $6 million, according to Forbes. Her wealth comes primarily from her husband, Doug Emhoff, a lawyer and partner at the law firm DLA Piper. Emhoff’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million, and the couple owns multiple properties, including a $5 million home in Brentwood, California. Harris also earned a salary of $174,000 per year as a Senator and earned royalties from her book, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey.” Harris’s wealth is relatively modest compared to many other politicians, but it is still substantial by most people’s standards.
Timeline
- 1964: Kamala Harris is born on October 20 in Oakland, California.
- 1986: Harris graduates from Howard University with a degree in political science and economics.
- 1989: Harris earns her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
- 1990-1998: Harris works as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California.
- 2000: Harris joins the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office as head of the Career Criminal Unit.
- 2003-2011: Harris serves as the District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first woman, African American, and Indian American to hold the position.
- 2010-2016: Harris is elected as Attorney General of California, becoming the first woman and African American to hold the position.
- 2016: Harris is elected to the United States Senate, representing California.
- 2019: Harris announces her candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination but drops out of the race in December.
- 2020: Harris is selected as Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, becoming the first African American and Indian American woman to be nominated for Vice President by a major political party.
- 2021: Biden and Harris are inaugurated on January 20, with Harris becoming the first woman, African American, and Indian American to hold the position of Vice President of the United States.
This timeline highlights some of the major milestones in Harris’s life and career, including her work as a prosecutor and her rise to political prominence as a U.S. Senator and Vice President.
10 interessting facts
- Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California, to a Jamaican father and Indian mother. Her parents were civil rights activists, and her mother was a cancer researcher.
- Harris is the first woman, the first African American woman, and the first Indian American woman to serve as Vice President of the United States.
- Harris is a graduate of Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C.
- Harris is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the first African American sorority in the United States.
- Harris has been married to Doug Emhoff, a lawyer, since 2014. Emhoff is also the first Second Gentleman of the United States, as Harris is the first female Vice President.
- Harris is known for her love of cooking, and her go-to recipe is reportedly a turkey chili.
- Harris is a stepmother to Emhoff’s two children from a previous marriage, and she is also known as “Momala” to them.
- Harris is a fan of sneakers and has been known to wear Converse Chuck Taylors on the campaign trail.
- Harris is a trained martial artist and has practiced kickboxing for fitness.
- Harris is also a published author, having written a memoir titled “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” which was released in 2019.
Here are five notable quotes from Kamala Harris:
- “There’s a big difference between equality and equity.” – Kamala Harris, speaking at a town hall meeting in 2019.
- “I do not believe that any of us should tolerate a society where our babies are being shot.” – Kamala Harris, speaking about gun violence during a Democratic presidential debate in 2019.
- “We need to recognize that when we’re talking about criminal justice reform, we’re talking about all people.” – Kamala Harris, speaking at a CNN town hall in 2019.
- “I was raised to believe that public service is a noble cause and a worthy pursuit.” – Kamala Harris, in an interview with Marie Claire in 2018.
- “I know there is a lot of frustration and anxiety in our country right now, but we can and will get through this together.” – Kamala Harris, in a statement after being elected as Vice President of the United States in 2020.
