Childhood and Education Journey of Kamala Harris in Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Kamala Harris. From birth to education, explore key events.
Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney. She served as the 49th U.S. Vice President from 2021-2025 under President Joe Biden, making her the first female, African-American, and Asian-American to hold the office. Previously, she served as a United States Senator representing California (2017-2021) and as California's Attorney General (2011-2017). A member of the Democratic Party, she was the party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election.
1938: Mother and Father Born
In 1938, both Kamala Harris's mother, Shyamala Gopalan, and her father, Donald J. Harris, were born.
1958: Mother Arrived in the United States
In 1958, Kamala Harris's mother, Shyamala Gopalan, arrived in the United States from India to enroll in graduate school.
1961: Father Immigrated to the United States
In 1961, Kamala Harris's father, Donald J. Harris, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica.
October 20, 1964: Kamala Harris Born
On October 20, 1964, Kamala Devi Harris was born. Kamala later became the 49th Vice President of The United States.
1966: Family moved from Berkeley
In 1966, the Harris family moved from Berkeley around Kamala's second birthday and Kamala's sister, Maya, was born in Urbana, Illinois.
1968: Reference to Hubert Humphrey's campaign
In 2024, Kamala Harris became the first nominee who did not participate in the primaries since Vice President Hubert Humphrey in 1968.
1970: Marriage faltered
By 1970, the marriage of Kamala Harris's parents had faltered, and her mother moved back to Berkeley with her daughters.
1972: Father accepted position at Stanford
In 1972, Donald Harris, Kamala's father, accepted a position at Stanford University.
1976: Family moved to Montreal
In 1976, Shyamala Harris accepted a research position in Montreal, Quebec, and moved there with her daughters.
1981: Attended Vanier College
In 1981, Kamala Harris attended Vanier College in Montreal.
1981: Graduated from Westmount High School
In 1981, Kamala Harris graduated from Westmount High School in Montreal, Quebec.
1982: Attended Vanier College
In 1982, Kamala Harris attended Vanier College in Montreal.
1986: Graduated from Howard University
In 1986, Kamala Harris graduated from Howard University with a degree in political science and economics.
1989: Graduated with Juris Doctor
In 1989, Kamala Harris graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
2001: Harris briefly dates Montel Williams
In 2001, Kamala Harris briefly dated talk show host Montel Williams.
2009: Harris criticized liberals in her book
In her 2009 book, Kamala Harris criticized liberals for what she called "biases against law enforcement".
2013: Harris meets Doug Emhoff
In 2013, Kamala Harris met her husband, attorney Doug Emhoff, through a mutual friend who set them up on a blind date.
August 22, 2014: Harris marries Doug Emhoff
On August 22, 2014, Kamala Harris married Doug Emhoff in Santa Barbara, California.
January 21, 2019: Announcement of Candidacy for President
On January 21, 2019, Kamala Harris officially announced her candidacy for president of the United States in the 2020 election.
April 17, 2020: Expresses Interest in Being Biden's Running Mate
On April 17, 2020, Kamala Harris responded to media speculation and stated that she "would be honored" to be Joe Biden's running mate.
August 11, 2020: Announcement as Vice Presidential Nominee
On August 11, 2020, Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his running mate, making her the first African American, first Indian American, and third woman on a major-party ticket.
2020: Vice President-Elect
In 2020, Kamala Harris became the vice president-elect after Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election.
January 18, 2021: Resignation from Senate Seat
On January 18, 2021, Kamala Harris resigned from her Senate seat in preparation for assuming the office of Vice President of the United States.
January 20, 2021: Sworn in as Vice President
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the Vice President of the United States, making history as the first woman, first African-American, and first Asian-American to hold the office.
November 19, 2021: Served as Acting President During Biden's Colonoscopy
On November 19, 2021, Kamala Harris served as acting president of the United States while President Biden underwent a colonoscopy.
April 2023: Biden announces reelection campaign with Harris as running mate
In April 2023, incumbent president Joe Biden announced his reelection campaign, with Kamala Harris as his running mate.
July 2024: Harris becomes presumptive Democratic presidential nominee
In July 2024, Kamala Harris became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and had a rise in her favorable rating.
July 21, 2024: Biden endorses Harris for president
On July 21, 2024, Joe Biden suspended his reelection campaign and endorsed Kamala Harris for president, and she was also endorsed by several prominent political figures. Her campaign raised $81 million in the first 24 hours.
August 2024: Harris and Emhoff net worth
As of August 2024, Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff had an estimated net worth of $8 million.
September 10, 2024: Harris participates in presidential debate
On September 10, 2024, Kamala Harris participated in a presidential debate against Donald Trump, where she defended abortion rights and was declared the winner by several political analysts.
2024: Speculation about future presidential run
According to USA Today, Kamala Harris intended to run in 2028 before Biden's withdrawal in 2024.
2024: Harris and Biden become presumptive nominees
After the Democratic primaries in 2024, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden became the Democratic Party's presumptive nominees in the 2024 presidential election.
2024: Harris Loses the presidential election
Kamala Harris lost the 2024 United States presidential election to Donald Trump, losing the electoral college 226 to 312, and the popular vote 48.3% to 49.8%.
2024: Harris remarks go viral as memes
Since the launch of her 2024 presidential campaign, Kamala Harris's remarks have been widely shared as memes, resulting in press coverage of her public image.
January 6, 2025: Harris oversees certification of Trump's election win
On January 6, 2025, as president of the Senate, Kamala Harris oversaw the certification of Donald Trump and JD Vance as the winners of the 2024 election.
January 20, 2025: Harris leaves office
On January 20, 2025, Kamala Harris left office as Vice President and was succeeded by JD Vance. She and her husband moved to Los Angeles.
February 18, 2025: Harris signs with Creative Artists Agency
On February 18, 2025, Kamala Harris signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to focus on speaking and publishing opportunities.
2026: Consideration of running for governor of California
According to New York magazine, Kamala Harris is considering running for governor of California in 2026.
2028: Speculation about future presidential run
According to The New York Times and Politico, Kamala Harris may run for president again in 2028.
