Kamala Harris Age, Height, Wiki, and Bio

Kamala Devi Harris, born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, is the 49th Vice President of the United States. She made history by becoming the first female vice president, the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, and the first African American and South Asian American to hold the office. Prior to this, she served as the U.S. Senator from California and the Attorney General of California. Harris is known for her legal background and advocacy on issues such as criminal justice reform, immigration, and healthcare.
Kamala Harris’s Wikipedia:
Full Name | Kamala Devi Harris |
---|---|
Date of Birth | October 20, 1964 |
Place of Birth | Oakland, California, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Indian and Jamaican descent |
Education | Howard University (B.A.), (J.D.) |
Age | 59 years |
Height | 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) |
Children | 2 stepchildren |
Occupation | Vice President of the United States |
Political Party | Democratic Party |
Spouse | Douglas Emhoff (m. 2014) |
Early Life and Education
Kamala Harris was born to immigrant parents. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a cancer researcher from India, and her father, Donald Harris, is an economics professor from Jamaica. Raised primarily by her mother, Kamala was immersed in both Indian and Black cultures. She attended both a Black Baptist church and a Hindu temple during her childhood.
Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where she earned a degree in political science and economics. She then earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Her academic experiences, combined with her upbringing, significantly influenced her sense of justice and public service.
Legal and Political Career
Kamala Harris began her legal career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, where she handled cases related to child sexual assault. Her first major public office role came in 2003 when she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco. Harris was known for her reformative policies, such as advocating against the death penalty and creating programs to reduce recidivism.
In 2010, Harris was elected as California’s Attorney General, becoming the first woman and the first person of Black and South Asian descent to hold the position. Her time as Attorney General was marked by efforts to reduce truancy, defend environmental laws, and improve the state’s criminal justice system.
U.S. Senator
In 2016, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing California. She became the second Black woman and the first South Asian-American senator in U.S. history. As a senator, Harris was a vocal advocate for healthcare reform, climate change, and immigration rights. She quickly gained national attention for her pointed questioning during Senate hearings, particularly of Trump administration officials.
2020 Presidential Campaign and Vice Presidency
In January 2019, Harris announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president in the 2020 election. Although her campaign began with strong momentum, it eventually faltered, leading her to withdraw in December 2019. However, in August 2020, Joe Biden selected her as his running mate, making Harris the first Black woman and South Asian American on a major party’s presidential ticket.
On November 7, 2020, Harris and Biden won the presidential election, and she was inaugurated as the 49th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2021.
Personal Life
Kamala Harris married Douglas Emhoff, a California attorney, in 2014. Through this marriage, she became the stepmother to Emhoff’s two children, Cole and Ella. Harris is known to maintain a busy and healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly and promoting balanced living despite the demands of her political career.
Age and Height
As of 2024, Kamala Harris is 59 years old. She stands at a height of 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 meters).
Major Achievements and Contributions
- Criminal Justice Reform: Harris’s legal career is deeply rooted in criminal justice. As District Attorney and Attorney General, she advocated for reforms that emphasized rehabilitation over punishment.
- Senate Contributions: In the Senate, Harris was a leading voice on healthcare, immigration, and gun control issues. Her work during Senate hearings solidified her reputation as a formidable prosecutor.
- Breaking Barriers: Harris has consistently broken racial and gender barriers throughout her career, from being the first female Attorney General of California to becoming the first Black and South Asian vice president of the United States.
Kamala Harris’s career reflects her dedication to public service, civil rights, and legal reform, making her one of the most influential political figures in modern American history.