Malcolm Rivera
Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She was the first female U.S. vice president, as well as the first African-American and the first Asian-American vice president. Harris was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964, to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father. She graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kamala Devi Harris |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, United States |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| Profession | Politician and Attorney |
| Parents | Shyamala Gopalan and Donald J. Harris |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Biracial (Jamaican and Indian) |
| Education | Howard University, University of California, Hastings College of the Law |
| Political Career | U.S. Senator from California (2017-2021), Attorney General of California (2011-2017), 49th Vice President of the United States (2021-2025) |
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What You'll Learn
Kamala Harris's mother was Indian
Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney who 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 was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964, to Shyamala Gopalan, a biologist who immigrated to the United States from India in 1958, and Donald J. Harris, an Afro-Jamaican who immigrated to the United States in 1961.
Shyamala Gopalan, Kamala Harris's mother, was a prominent biologist who made significant contributions to the field of endocrinology. She arrived in the United States from India in 1958 to pursue her graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research career spanned over four decades, and her work on the progesterone receptor gene led to advancements in breast cancer research. Gopalan's commitment to her field and her passion for science undoubtedly had a profound influence on her daughter, who would go on to break barriers in the political realm.
Kamala Harris's parents met in 1962 and married in 1963. The family lived in Berkeley until they moved around 1966, when Harris was about two years old. In the following years, they lived in various college towns in the Midwest, including Urbana, Illinois; Evanston, Illinois; and Madison, Wisconsin. During this time, both her parents held teaching or research positions at different universities. Despite their short-lived marriage, Harris's parents left a lasting impact on her life and instilled in her a strong work ethic and a commitment to social justice.
Harris has often spoken about the influence of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, in shaping her values and character. In her own words, Harris described her mother as a "brilliant, five-foot-tall, brown woman with an accent." She credited her mother for teaching her to stand up against injustice and to always give her best efforts in whatever she does. Gopalan's resilience and determination as an immigrant woman of color in a foreign land undoubtedly inspired Harris to pursue a career in public service and to break through barriers.
The cultural and racial background of Kamala Harris, including her Indian heritage from her mother's side, has been a topic of discussion and speculation during her political career. As a biracial woman, Harris has faced questions and scrutiny about her authenticity and how she presents her racial roots. However, her unique background also allows millions of Americans who identify as multiracial to see themselves reflected in her story. Harris's candidacy and vice presidency represent a significant milestone in the United States' journey toward a more inclusive and diverse society.
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Kamala Harris's father was Jamaican
Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. Harris is the daughter of two immigrants—an Indian mother, Shyamala Gopalan, and a Jamaican father, Donald J. Harris. Donald J. Harris was born in Brown's Town, St. Ann Parish, Jamaica, to Afro-Jamaican parents, Oscar Joseph Harris and Beryl Christie Harris (née Finegan). He grew up in the Orange Hill area of Saint Ann Parish and graduated from Titchfield High School in Port Antonio. Harris moved to the United States in 1961 to study economics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he met his future wife, Gopalan, while marching together for justice during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. The couple married in 1963 and had two children, Kamala and Maya, before separating in 1971.
Harris is an economist and emeritus professor at Stanford University, known for applying post-Keynesian ideas to development economics. He has held professorships at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has also been a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Brasília and in Mexico. In addition to his academic career, Harris has served as an economic consultant to the Jamaican government and an advisor to various prime ministers.
Kamala Harris has described her relationship with her father as cordial but distant, owing to her being primarily raised by her mother. However, she has acknowledged the influence of her Jamaican heritage on her life and perspective. In a 2021 email to the Washington Post, she wrote, "My father, like so many Jamaicans, has immense pride in our Jamaican heritage and instilled that same pride in my sister and me. We love Jamaica. He taught us the history of where we're from, the struggles and beauty of the Jamaican people, and the richness of the culture." Harris's father has also encouraged her to take risks and be fearless in her pursuits.
Despite their strained relationship at times, Harris and her father are on good terms. In a 2018 essay, Donald J. Harris reflected on his Jamaican roots and his desire to instill a strong sense of identity and social awareness in his daughters. He wrote, "To this day, I continue to retain the deep social awareness and strong sense of identity which that grassroots Jamaican philosophy fed in me. As a father, I naturally sought to develop the same sensibility in my two daughters."
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She is the first woman US vice president
Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She is the first woman, the first African-American, and the first Asian-American to hold the office of vice president. Harris is the third person with acknowledged non-European ancestry to become vice president or president.
Harris was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964. 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, is an Afro-Jamaican who immigrated to the United States in 1961 and also enrolled at UC Berkeley, specializing in development economics. Harris's parents met in 1962 and married in 1963. They lived in Berkeley until they moved to Oakland around 1966, when Harris was two years old.
Harris's mother was a prominent breast cancer scientist and a pioneer in her field. Her father was the first Black scholar to be granted tenure at Stanford University's economics department, where he achieved emeritus status. Harris grew up in a working-class town and was raised by a diverse community and a loving extended family. She has described how her mother taught her and her sister, Maya, to "never complain about injustice but to do something about it."
Harris's career in politics has been very public for decades. She served as a senator from California from 2017 to 2021 and as the state's attorney general from 2011 to 2017. As a senator, she advocated for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, and reforms to healthcare and taxation. She gained a national profile by asking pointed questions of officials in the Trump administration during Senate hearings. In 2020, Harris sought the Democratic presidential nomination but later withdrew from the race and became Joe Biden's running mate. They defeated the incumbent president and vice president, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, in the 2020 election.
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She is the first Black US vice president
Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She is the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Asian American to hold the post.
Harris was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964, to immigrant parents from Jamaica and India. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist and breast cancer research pioneer who immigrated to the United States from India in 1958. Her father, Donald J. Harris, is an Afro-Jamaican economist who immigrated to the United States in 1961. Harris grew up in a diverse and loving extended family, inspired by her mother's strength and commitment to social justice.
Before becoming vice president, Harris served as a United States senator representing California from 2017 to 2021 and as the state's attorney general from 2011 to 2017. As a senator, she advocated for stricter gun control laws, immigration protection, and reforms to healthcare and taxation. She gained a national profile for her pointed questioning of officials in the Trump administration during Senate hearings. In 2019, Harris sought the Democratic presidential nomination but later withdrew from the race.
In 2020, Joe Biden selected Harris as his running mate, making her the first African American and the first Indian American vice-presidential nominee on a major-party ticket. Their ticket defeated the incumbent president, Donald Trump, and vice president, Mike Pence, in the 2020 presidential election. As vice president, Harris focused on advancing opportunities, delivering for families, and protecting fundamental freedoms, including a woman's right to choose and freedom from gun violence. She also took a particular interest in job creation through investment in small businesses and community banks.
Harris's vice presidency is significant not only for her identity but also for her commitment to social justice and reform. She has faced criticism and speculation about her racial background and authenticity, but she has also inspired millions of Americans, especially those who identify as multiracial. Harris's historic tenure as the first Black US vice president represents a milestone in the nation's ongoing march toward a more perfect union.
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She is the first Asian-American US vice president
Kamala Harris is the first Asian-American US vice president. Harris, who served as vice president from 2021 to 2025, is of Indian-Jamaican heritage. 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, is an Afro-Jamaican who immigrated to the United States in 1961 and also enrolled at UC Berkeley, specialising in development economics.
Harris's parents met in 1962 and married in 1963. The family lived in Berkeley until they moved to Oakland, California, in 1966, around Kamala's second birthday. Harris was born and raised in Oakland, a once-thriving African American enclave and the birthplace of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.
Harris's mother was a prominent breast cancer scientist and pioneer, and her father was the first Black scholar to be granted tenure at Stanford University's economics department. Both of her parents were active in the civil rights movement and instilled in her a commitment to fight for the rights and freedoms of all people.
Harris's racial and cultural background has been a topic of discussion and speculation, with some questioning the authenticity of her Black or Asian identities. However, her identity as a biracial woman has been celebrated by many, and she has been praised for her inclusivity, particularly in contrast to her rivals. Harris has embraced her diverse background and has worked to advance opportunity and protect the freedoms of all people during her time in office.
In addition to being the first Asian-American vice president, Harris also made history as the first female vice president and the first Black vice president. She has broken barriers and served as a role model for women, Asian Americans, and African Americans across the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Kamala Harris is an American politician. She is the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Asian American to become the 49th vice president of the United States. She is of mixed-race, Jamaican, and Indian heritage.
Kamala Harris is the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India. She identifies as a biracial woman, with her mother being Indian and her father being Jamaican. Harris has been criticised by some who question the authenticity of her Black and Asian identities.
Kamala Harris is a member of the Democratic Party. She served as the senator for California from 2017 to 2021 and as attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017. In 2020, she was announced as Joe Biden's running mate, becoming the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to be elected vice president.
