Kamala Harris is an American politician, attorney, author and former prosecutor who served as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She was also the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in the 2024 election.
Born on October 20, 1964, Harris previously served as a U.S. senator from California and the state’s attorney general. Her career has included several historic firsts, making her one of the most prominent women in modern American politics.
Quick Facts About Kamala Harris
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kamala Devi Harris |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1964 |
| Age | 61 years old |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Politician, attorney, author and former prosecutor |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| Former Position | 49th Vice President of the United States |
| Vice Presidential Term | 2021–2025 |
| Former Senate Seat | California |
| Husband | Doug Emhoff |
| Children | Two stepchildren, Cole and Ella |
| Education | Howard University, University of California College of the Law |
| Estimated Net Worth | About $8 million combined with Doug Emhoff |
Kamala Harris Early Life and Family
Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her parents were immigrants who came to the United States for higher education and later built successful academic careers.
Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born in India and became a breast cancer researcher. Her father, Donald J. Harris, was born in Jamaica and became an economist and university professor.
Kamala has a younger sister named Maya Harris. After their parents divorced, the sisters were primarily raised by their mother.
Harris spent part of her teenage years in Montreal, Canada, after her mother accepted a research position there. She later returned to the United States for university.
Kamala Harris Education
Harris attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., one of America’s most prominent historically Black universities. She studied political science and economics and graduated in 1986.
Her years at Howard became an important part of her personal and professional identity. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Harris later attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, now known as the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. She earned her law degree in 1989.
Kamala Harris Career as a Prosecutor
After law school, Harris began her legal career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. She worked as a prosecutor on cases involving crimes including sexual abuse and homicide.
She later joined the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Her experience there helped establish the foundation for her future political career.
In 2003, Harris won election as District Attorney of San Francisco. She took office in 2004 and became the first woman to hold that position.
Her time as a prosecutor later became an important part of both her political identity and public debate surrounding her record.
California Attorney General
Harris ran for California attorney general in 2010 and won the election. She took office in 2011.
Her victory made her the first woman and first Black person to serve as California’s attorney general.
Harris was reelected in 2014 and remained attorney general until 2017. The position gave her statewide recognition and helped prepare her for a move into national politics.
Kamala Harris U.S. Senate Career
Harris ran for the United States Senate in 2016 and won the election. She began representing California in January 2017.
During her Senate career, Harris served on several committees and became nationally known through congressional hearings and political debates.
She launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2019. However, she ended the campaign before voting began in the 2020 Democratic primaries.
Her political career changed dramatically the following year when Joe Biden selected her as his vice-presidential running mate.
Kamala Harris as Vice President
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the 2020 presidential election. Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2021.
Her inauguration was historic. She became the first woman, first Black American and first person of South Asian heritage to serve as U.S. vice president.
As vice president, Harris also served as president of the U.S. Senate. She cast numerous tie-breaking votes during an evenly divided period in the chamber.
Her vice presidency ended on January 20, 2025, when the new administration took office.
Kamala Harris 2024 Presidential Campaign
The 2024 election created another historic moment in the Kamala Harris biography. President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign in July 2024 and endorsed Harris.
Harris subsequently became the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined the ticket as her vice-presidential running mate.
She faced Republican nominee Donald Trump in the November election. Trump won the election, and Harris conceded the race afterward.
Although she did not win the presidency, Harris became the first Black woman and first woman of South Asian heritage nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
Kamala Harris Husband and Personal Life
Kamala Harris is married to Doug Emhoff, an attorney. The couple met after being introduced by a mutual friend and married in August 2014.
Emhoff became the first Second Gentleman of the United States when Harris assumed the vice presidency in 2021.
Harris does not have biological children. However, she is stepmother to Emhoff’s two children from his previous marriage, Cole and Ella Emhoff.
Cole and Ella call Harris “Momala,” a nickname that has become widely associated with her family life.
Kamala Harris Books
Harris has written several books during her public career. They include Smart on Crime, The Truths We Hold and the children’s book Superheroes Are Everywhere.
In September 2025, she published 107 Days, a memoir about her unusually short 2024 presidential campaign.
The book became a major commercial success, selling hundreds of thousands of copies shortly after publication. Harris also participated in an international book tour promoting the memoir.
Kamala Harris Net Worth and Earnings
Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, have an estimated combined net worth of about $8 million based on the latest well-established Forbes valuation.
Their wealth has come from several sources. These include Harris’s government salaries, pensions, book income, investments and Emhoff’s successful career as an attorney.
The couple has also held substantial retirement and investment accounts and owns valuable real estate in California.
Harris’s successful 2025 memoir has likely generated additional income. However, the exact financial terms of her publishing agreement were not publicly disclosed by the publisher, so higher net worth claims should be treated cautiously.
What Is Kamala Harris Doing Now?
As of 2026, Harris is no longer serving in elected office. She operates through the Office of Kamala D. Harris and continues to participate in public speaking, political events and voter engagement.
She decided against running for governor of California in the 2026 election. Harris has nevertheless remained active in Democratic politics and public advocacy.
There has also been continuing discussion about whether she could seek the presidency again in 2028. However, as of August 2026, she has not formally announced a 2028 presidential campaign.
Kamala Harris’ Political Legacy
The Kamala Harris biography includes a series of historic achievements across law and national politics. She progressed from prosecutor to district attorney, California attorney general, U.S. senator, vice president and presidential nominee.
At 61 years old, Harris remains a nationally recognised Democratic political figure in 2026. Her future political plans remain uncertain, but her vice presidency and 2024 presidential campaign have already secured her a significant place in American political history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Kamala Harris?
Kamala Harris is an American attorney, politician and author who served as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She was also the Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 election.
Q2: How old is Kamala Harris?
Kamala Harris is 61 years old as of August 2026. She was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California.
Q3: Who is Kamala Harris’ husband?
Kamala Harris is married to attorney Doug Emhoff. They married in August 2014, and Emhoff later became America’s first Second Gentleman.
Q4: Does Kamala Harris have children?
Kamala Harris does not have biological children. She is stepmother to Doug Emhoff’s two children, Cole and Ella Emhoff.
Q5: What is Kamala Harris’ net worth in 2026?
The latest well-established estimate placed Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s combined net worth at about $8 million. Their wealth includes investments, pensions, property, legal earnings and income from Harris’s books.
Q6: Is Kamala Harris still Vice President?
No. Kamala Harris served as vice president from January 2021 until January 2025. She is a former vice president and is not currently serving in elected office.
Q7: Is Kamala Harris running for president in 2028?
As of August 2026, Kamala Harris has not formally announced a 2028 presidential campaign. She has remained politically active, but her future electoral plans have not been confirmed.
