Omar Bennett
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, and turned 60 in 2024. Harris is the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Asian American to hold the post of vice president of the United States. She served as the 49th vice president from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 20 October 1964 |
| Age | 60 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, US |
| Parents | Shyamala Gopalan and Donald J. Harris |
| Race | Biracial, Black and Asian |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California
- Harris turned 60 in 2024
- Harris is the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American to hold the post of vice president
- Harris's parents are Jamaican and Indian
- Harris is the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California
Harris's parents met in 1962 as part of a Black student group at UC Berkeley and married in 1963. The couple lived in Berkeley with their daughter until 1966, around Harris's second birthday. They later moved to various college towns in the Midwest, including Urbana, Illinois, where Harris's sister Maya was born in 1966. By 1970, the marriage had faltered, and the couple divorced in 1972.
Harris spent her early years living in different parts of the United States, reflecting her parents' academic and professional pursuits. In 1976, her mother accepted a research position at the McGill University School of Medicine, and the family moved to Montreal, Quebec. Harris graduated from Westmount High School on Montreal Island in 1981. She later returned to the United States to pursue her higher education and earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics from Howard University in 1986.
Harris's birth in Oakland, California, and her diverse ethnic and racial background, including her Jamaican and Indian heritage, have been significant aspects of her public life and political career. As an adult, she has held various positions, including serving as the attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017 and as a United States Senator for California from 2017 to 2021, making history as the first African-American woman and the first South Asian-American senator. From 2021 to 2025, she served as the 49th vice president of the United States, becoming the first woman, the first Black person, and the first Asian American to hold that office.
Kamala Harris' Speaking Schedule: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Harris turned 60 in 2024
Kamala Harris turned 60 in 2024. She was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, and is of Afro-Jamaican and Indian descent. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist who immigrated to the United States from India in 1958 to pursue graduate studies in endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her father, Donald J. Harris, immigrated from Jamaica to the United States in 1961 and was also enrolled at UC Berkeley, specializing in development economics.
Harris has had a distinguished political career. She served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden, becoming the first woman, the first African-American, and the first Asian-American to hold this position. She previously served as a United States senator representing California from 2017 to 2021 and as the state's attorney general from 2011 to 2017.
In 2024, Harris sought the Democratic nomination for president. She officially became the Democratic nominee after Biden withdrew his candidacy and endorsed her. She selected Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Harris's campaign was marked by her support for tax-funded gender-affirming surgery for transgender people in prison. However, she ultimately lost the election to the Republican nominees, former president Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance.
Despite her loss, Harris's nomination and campaign were significant milestones in American politics. As the first woman and person of colour to be a vice presidential nominee for a major political party, she broke barriers and inspired many. Harris's political career and achievements continue to be a source of inspiration for women and people of colour aspiring to enter the realm of politics and public service.
Kamala Harris: The Democrats' Favorite or Foe?
You may want to see also
Harris is the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American to hold the post of vice president
Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964, and is currently 60 years old. Harris served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under the administration of Joe Biden. She is the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Asian American to hold the post of vice president. Harris's identity as a biracial woman has been a topic of discussion and speculation, with some questioning the authenticity of her Black and Asian identities. Harris is the daughter of an Afro-Jamaican father and an Indian mother, both of whom were immigrants.
Harris's historic selection as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate was announced in August 2020. Her candidacy represented a significant milestone, acknowledging the leadership of Black women, which has often been overlooked in the past. Harris's biracial identity, as a Black and Asian American woman, is a reflection of the diverse and multicultural fabric of the United States. Her election to the vice presidency sent a powerful message of inclusivity and representation to Americans from all walks of life, particularly to those who identify as multiracial.
Harris's political career has been marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements. Before becoming vice president, she served as a United States Senator for California from 2017 to 2021, making her the second African-American woman and the first South Asian-American senator in history. During her tenure in the Senate, she served on several important committees, including the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget.
In addition to her role as vice president, Harris also made history as the first Black woman and the first Asian-American woman to run for vice president on a major-party ticket in the United States. This achievement further highlighted her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, values that were central to her political campaign. Harris's vice presidency served as a testament to the progress made towards a more inclusive and representative democracy in the United States, inspiring people from all backgrounds to pursue leadership roles and participate actively in shaping the country's future.
Where Does Campaign Money Go When Candidates Drop Out?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Harris's parents are Jamaican and Indian
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, and served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She was the first female U.S. vice president, the first African-American, and the first Asian-American vice president. Harris's parents, Shyamala Gopalan and Donald J. Harris, are of Indian and Jamaican descent, respectively.
Shyamala Gopalan, Kamala Harris's mother, was born in 1938 in what was then known as Madras, British India (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India). Gopalan's father, P.V. Gopalan, was an Indian civil servant, and her mother, Rajam Gopalan, was a community organizer. Shyamala herself immigrated to the United States in 1958 to pursue a graduate degree in endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley. She had a research career spanning over 40 years, during which her work on the progesterone receptor gene contributed significantly to advancements in breast cancer research.
Donald J. Harris, Kamala's father, is an Afro-Jamaican who moved to the United States in 1961. He enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, as a doctoral student in economics. He became the first Black scholar to be granted tenure at Stanford University's economics department and currently holds emeritus status there.
Kamala Harris's parents first met in 1962 as students at UC Berkeley, through a Black student group on campus. They married in 1963 and welcomed their first daughter, Kamala, in 1964, followed by their second daughter, Maya, in 1966. The family initially lived in Berkeley, but they moved around the Midwest as Harris's parents took up various teaching and research positions. Despite their eventual divorce in 1972, both parents continued to play an influential role in Kamala's life.
Kamala Harris: Her Vision and Values Explored
You may want to see also
Harris is the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history
Kamala Devi Harris was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964, and is the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist who immigrated to the United States from India in 1958 to enrol in graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley. Her father, Donald J. Harris, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica in 1961 and was the first Black scholar to receive tenure at Stanford University's economics department. Kamala's parents met in 1962 as part of a Black student group at UC Berkeley and married in 1963. The family lived in Berkeley until they moved to Oakland in 1966, around Kamala's second birthday.
Kamala Harris has had a distinguished career in law and politics. She served as the District Attorney of San Francisco from 2003 to 2010, becoming the first Black woman and Asian-American woman to hold this position. In 2010, she was elected Attorney General of California, overseeing the state's justice department and serving in this role until 2017. During her time as Attorney General, she gained recognition as a rising star in the Democratic Party.
In 2017, Harris was elected as California's junior US senator, becoming the second African-American woman to serve in the US Senate. During her time in the Senate, she championed legislation to fight hunger, provide rent relief, improve maternal healthcare, expand access to capital for small businesses, and combat the climate crisis. She also served on the Judiciary Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, where she worked to secure American elections and protect against foreign threats.
In 2020, Harris made history again by becoming the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to be nominated for vice president by a major US political party. Running alongside Joe Biden, she ultimately became the 49th Vice President of the United States, serving from 2021 to 2025. As vice president, she focused on advancing opportunities, delivering for families, and protecting fundamental freedoms for all Americans.
Funds for Political Campaigns: Why They're Necessary
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, and turned 60 in 2024.
Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, California, US.
Her parents were Shyamala Gopalan, a biologist from India, and Donald J. Harris, an economics doctoral student from Jamaica.
Kamala Harris identifies as a biracial woman, with a Black Jamaican and Indian ethnic background.
Kamala Harris served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025, alongside President Joe Biden. She was the first woman, the first Black person, and the first Asian American to hold this position. She has also served as a United States Senator for California, and as attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017.
