Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, is not just in the spotlight for her political career but also for her family life.
Harris married Doug Emhoff in 2014 and became the stepmother to his two children, Cole and Ella.
When Harris was sworn in as vice president in 2021, she made history as the first stepmother to hold the position in the United States.
Emhoff’s children affectionately call her “Momala.” The kids, Cole, 29, and Ella, 25, have a loving and supportive relationship with Harris, their father Doug, and their mother, Kerstin Emhoff, who also attended the 2021 presidential inauguration.
“They are really a unit, like a three-person parenting squad. It’s really cool,” Ella Emhoff said about her mom, dad, and Harris.
Harris, who has experience growing up with divorced parents, refers to her stepchildren as an “endless source of love and pure joy.” Let’s get to know a bit more about her family.
Doug Emhoff
Doug Emhoff, who is also 59 years old, was a successful entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles when he was set up on a blind date with Harris in 2013. At the time, Harris was California’s attorney general.
The morning after their first date, Emhoff sent Harris an email suggesting future dates and expressing his genuine interest. They got married in 2014.
In their 2021 interview, Cole and Ella Emhoff mentioned that their parents are very much in love and share a strong bond. Cole even described them as “almost vomit-inducingly cute and coupley.”
Doug Emhoff paused his law career when Harris became vice president, assuming the role of America’s first-ever Second Gentleman. He’s actively supporting the administration’s initiatives and has been a visible supporter of various causes, including women’s basketball.
Last Father’s Day, Doug shared a heartwarming moment on social media about playing pickleball with his son Cole.
Cole Emhoff
Cole Emhoff has followed his father’s footsteps into the entertainment industry but chose production rather than law. He has been working at Plan B Entertainment, a production company co-founded by Brad Pitt, since 2019.
In November last year, Cole married his wife, Greenley Littlejohn, and Kamala Harris officiated their wedding. She shared that the opportunity to officiate meant a lot to her as it symbolized the unity of their families.
Harris also gave them a valuable marriage tip: “At the end of every day, find some way to check in, no matter how tired you are or how many miles apart you may be, even if it’s just to say, ‘I love you.’”
Ella Emhoff
Ella Emhoff is making her mark in the fashion world. After graduating from the Parsons School of Design in New York, she signed with IMG Models and has walked in fashion shows for prominent brands like Balenciaga and Proenza Schouler.
Ella describes herself on her personal website as a “multidisciplinary artist and creator.” She has launched a knitting club and works on a variety of creative projects, including knitting, designing knitwear, and upcycling materials.
Maya Harris
Kamala Harris shares a close bond with her sister, Maya. Both their parents, who immigrated to the U.S., divorced when Kamala was seven years old. The sisters were mainly raised by their hardworking single mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who passed away in 2009.
Maya Harris followed a similar path as her sister, becoming a lawyer and graduating from UC Berkeley and Stanford Law School. She has been active in politics, advising Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign and working as a national surrogate for the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020.
Maya is married to Tony West, whom she met at Stanford Law.
Meena Harris
Meena Harris, Kamala’s niece and the only daughter of Maya Harris, has also made significant contributions in law, politics, and social justice. Meena founded Phenomenal, a media company focusing on women’s and historically marginalized communities’ voices.
Meena is also an author of children’s books like “Ambitious Girl” and “Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea.” She hopes to inspire young girls to embrace their ambitions.
In an interview with “The View,” Meena pointed out that she grew up in a family that celebrated female ambition, and she aims to pass that same encouragement to young girls through her books.
