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 Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. Harris is the first female, first African American, and first Asian American to hold the office. Before becoming Vice President, she represented California in the U.S. Senate (2017-2021) and served as California's Attorney General (2011-2017). She was also the Democratic Party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1938: Birth of Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Jasper Harris

In 1938, both Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Kamala's mother, and Donald Jasper Harris, Kamala's father, were born. Shyamala became a biomedical scientist and Donald an economist.

1958: Shyamala Gopalan Harris Arrived in the United States

In 1958, Shyamala Gopalan Harris arrived in the United States from India to study endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley.

1961: Donald Jasper Harris Immigrated to the United States

In 1961, Donald Jasper Harris immigrated to the United States from Jamaica and enrolled at UC Berkeley to study development economics.

1962: Kamala Harris's Parents Met

In 1962, Kamala Harris's parents, Shyamala Gopalan and Donald Jasper Harris, met each other.

1963: Marriage of Kamala Harris's Parents

In 1963, Kamala Harris's parents, Shyamala Gopalan and Donald Jasper Harris, got married.

October 20, 1964: Kamala Harris's Birth in Oakland, California

On October 20, 1964, Kamala Devi Harris was born in Oakland, California, to Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a biomedical scientist, and Donald Jasper Harris, an economist.

October 20, 1964: Kamala Harris's Birth

On October 20, 1964, Kamala Devi Harris was born. She later became the 49th Vice President of the United States.

1966: Harris Family Moved and Sister Maya Was Born

In 1966, the Harris family moved from Berkeley and Kamala's sister, Maya Harris, was born in Urbana, Illinois.

1970: Parents Moved Back to Berkeley and Marriage Falters

By 1970, Shyamala Harris moved back to Berkeley with her two daughters as her marriage faltered.

1972: Donald Harris Accepts Position at Stanford University

In 1972, Donald Harris accepted a position at Stanford University, and Kamala and Maya spent weekends at his house in Palo Alto.

1976: Shyamala Harris Moved to Montreal with Daughters

In 1976, Shyamala Harris accepted a research position at McGill University School of Medicine and moved with her daughters to Montreal, Quebec.

1981: Attended Vanier College in Montreal

In 1981, Kamala Harris attended Vanier College in Montreal.

1981: Kamala Harris Graduated from Westmount High School

In 1981, Kamala Harris graduated from Westmount High School on Montreal Island.

1982: Continued Studies at Vanier College

In 1982, Kamala Harris continued her studies at 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.

2009: Death of Shyamala Gopalan Harris

In 2009, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Kamala Harris's mother and a biomedical scientist, passed away.

2013: Meeting 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: Marriage to Doug Emhoff

On August 22, 2014, Kamala Harris married Doug Emhoff in Santa Barbara, California.

2015: Donated Trump's Contributions

In 2015, Kamala Harris donated Donald Trump's contributions to a nonprofit advocating for civil and human rights for Central Americans.

August 2017: Creation of the #KHive

In August 2017, the term 'K-Hive' was coined by Joy Reid to represent an online informal organization supporting Kamala Harris's candidacy and defending her from racist and sexist attacks.

October 2018: Target of Mail Bombing Attempts

In October 2018, Kamala Harris was a target of the United States mail bombing attempts.

January 21, 2019: Harris Announces Candidacy for President

On January 21, 2019, Kamala Harris officially announced her candidacy for President of the United States in the 2020 election. Her announcement tied a record for most donations raised in the day after the announcement. Kamala released a memoir, a sign of a possible run.

April 17, 2020: Harris Expresses Interest in Being Biden's Running Mate

On April 17, 2020, Kamala Harris responded to media speculation, stating that she "would be honored" to be Joe Biden's running mate in the upcoming presidential election.

August 11, 2020: Biden Announces Harris as Running Mate

On August 11, 2020, Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his running mate for the 2020 presidential election. This made her the first African American, the first Indian American, and the third woman to be a vice-presidential nominee on a major-party ticket.

2020: Harris Becomes Vice President-Elect

In 2020, Kamala Harris became the Vice President-elect of the United States, after Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election.

January 18, 2021: Harris Resigns 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. She was replaced by Alex Padilla.

January 20, 2021: Harris Sworn in as Vice President

On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice President of the United States, becoming the first woman, first African-American, and first Asian-American to hold the office.

November 19, 2021: Harris Serves as Acting President

On November 19, 2021, Kamala Harris served as acting president of the United States from 10:10 to 11:35 am EST while President Biden underwent a colonoscopy, becoming the first woman to assume the powers and duties of the presidency in this capacity.

2023: "You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?"

In 2023, a video clip of Kamala Harris saying "You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you" went viral.

August 2024: Net worth of Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff

As of August 2024, Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff had an estimated net worth of $8 million.

2024: Trump as Future Opponent

In 2024, Donald Trump became her future opponent in the United States presidential election.

2024: Memes of Kamala Harris

In 2024, since the launch of her presidential campaign, Kamala Harris's remarks have been widely shared as memes, resulting in press coverage of her public image.