Early Life and Education of Nikki Haley: A Complete Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Nikki Haley. A timeline of key moments.
Nikki Haley is an American politician and diplomat. She served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 and as the 29th U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018. As a Republican, she is the first Indian American to serve in a presidential cabinet. Notably, she was a candidate in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, marking her continued involvement in national politics.
1933: Birth of Ajit Singh Randhawa
In 1933, Ajit Singh Randhawa, Nikki Haley's father, was born. He later became a professor.
1964: Immigration to North America
In 1964, Nikki Haley's parents moved to North America when her father accepted a scholarship at the University of British Columbia.
January 20, 1972: Nikki Haley's Birth
On January 20, 1972, Nimarata Nikki Randhawa Haley was born. She would later become governor of South Carolina and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
1989: Graduation from Orangeburg Preparatory Schools
In 1989, Nikki Haley graduated from Orangeburg Preparatory Schools.
1993: Expansion of Family Business
In 1993, the family business expanded to include menswear with "The Gentlemen's Quarters".
1994: Graduation from Clemson University
In 1994, Nikki Haley graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. degree in accounting and finance.
September 7, 1996: Nikki Haley Marries Michael Haley
On September 7, 1996, Nikki Haley married Michael Haley in ceremonies that combined Sikh and Methodist traditions.
1996: Haley Converts to Christianity
In 1996, Nikki Haley converted to Christianity and was baptized before her wedding at St. Andrew's by the Sea United Methodist Church, partly due to the language barrier with Sikh prayers, while still maintaining connection with Sikhism.
1998: Rena Haley Born
In 1998, Nikki and Michael Haley's first child, Rena, was born.
2001: Nalin Haley Born
In 2001, Nikki and Michael Haley's second child, Nalin, was born.
2008: Raj Randhawa's Retirement
In 2008, Raj Randhawa, Nikki Haley's mother, retired and closed the family's boutiques.
2009: Co-sponsorship of Abortion Bill
In 2009, Nikki Haley co-sponsored a bill mandating a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions after an ultrasound.
2010: Passage of Abortion Bill
In 2010, the bill co-sponsored by Nikki Haley, mandating a 24-hour waiting period for abortions, passed both legislative chambers and was signed into law.
June 2011: Signing of Immigration Law
In June 2011, Nikki Haley signed an "Arizona-style" immigration law as governor of South Carolina.
2011: Start of Haley's gubernatorial term
In 2011, Nikki Haley began her term as governor, during which she vetoed 50 bills, with 24 of them being overridden by the state legislature.
August 2013: Extradition Order
In August 2013, Nikki Haley signed an extradition order for Dusten Brown in the Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl case.
2013: Haley's Husband Serves Tour of Duty in Afghanistan
In 2013, Nikki Haley's husband, Michael Haley, served a tour of duty in Afghanistan as an officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard.
2014: Haley Visits Harmandir Sahib in India
In 2014, Nikki Haley and her husband visited and prayed at the Harmandir Sahib in India.
June 2015: Confederate Flag Controversy
Before June 2015, Nikki Haley supported flying the Confederate flag on the statehouse grounds, but later called for its removal following the Charleston church shooting.
July 2015: Haley signs bill to remove Confederate flag
In July 2015, Nikki Haley signed a bill authorizing the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Capitol grounds.
2015: Response to Charleston Church Shooting
In 2015, as governor, Nikki Haley received national attention for leading South Carolina's response to the Charleston church shooting.
April 2016: Haley opposes anti-transgender "bathroom bill"
In April 2016, Nikki Haley opposed an anti-transgender "bathroom bill" in South Carolina, deeming it unnecessary and unlikely to solve any state problems.
June 2016: Haley Warns Trump's Rhetoric Could Lead to Violence
In June 2016, on the one-year anniversary of the Emanuel AME Church shooting, Nikki Haley warned that Trump's rhetoric could lead to violent tragedy. She received extensive press coverage for saying "bless your heart" in response to an attack by Trump.
October 2016: Haley Endorses Trump for President
In October 2016, Nikki Haley said she would vote for Trump and endorsed him as the best person based on policies, despite acknowledging she was "not a fan" of his.
November 23, 2016: Trump nominates Haley for UN Ambassador
On November 23, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Nikki Haley as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
2016: Haley Supports Marco Rubio in Republican Primaries
During the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Nikki Haley supported and campaigned for U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida and later supported Ted Cruz after Rubio dropped out.
2016: Endorsement of Primary Opponent
In 2016, Nikki Haley endorsed Hugh Leatherman's primary opponent during her second term.
2016: Re-signing Abortion Ban
In 2016, as governor, Nikki Haley re-signed a new state law that bans abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy.
January 20, 2017: Haley's nomination sent to Senate
On January 20, 2017, after taking office, President Trump sent Nikki Haley's nomination for UN Ambassador to the United States Senate.
January 25, 2017: Haley sworn in as UN Ambassador
On January 25, 2017, Nikki Haley was officially sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations by Vice President Mike Pence.
January 27, 2017: Haley meets with UN Secretary-General
On January 27, 2017, Nikki Haley met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York City, succeeding Ambassador Samantha Power.
March 15, 2017: Haley says she wouldn't support a Muslim ban
On March 15, 2017, Nikki Haley stated that she would not support a ban on Muslim immigration to the U.S., should President Trump choose to enact one, arguing it would be "un-American."
March 30, 2017: Haley states US will no longer focus on Assad leaving power
On March 30, 2017, Nikki Haley stated that the U.S. would no longer focus on forcing Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to leave power, marking a policy shift from the Obama administration.
April 2017: Haley speaks out against persecution of gay men in Chechnya
In April 2017, Nikki Haley spoke out against Ramzan Kadyrov amid the murders and persecution of gay men in Chechnya, emphasizing that such human rights violations could not be ignored.
April 2017: Haley accuses Iran and Hezbollah of terrorist acts
In April 2017, during her first session as president of the UN Security Council, Nikki Haley accused Iran and Hezbollah of having "conducted terrorist acts" for decades within the Middle East.
May 14, 2017: Haley comments on North Korea's missile test
On May 14, 2017, after North Korea performed a ballistic missile test, Nikki Haley said that Kim Jong-un was "in a state of paranoia" after feeling pressure from the U.S.
June 2, 2017: Haley comments on UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea
On June 2, 2017, after the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution adding fifteen North Koreans and four entities linked to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs to a sanctions blacklist, Nikki Haley said the council's vote was "sending a clear message to North Korea today: Stop firing ballistic missiles or face the consequences"
June 2017: Haley violates the Hatch Act
In June 2017, Nikki Haley violated the Hatch Act by retweeting Trump's endorsement of Ralph Norman.
July 5, 2017: Haley announces US resolution regarding North Korea
On July 5, 2017, during a U.N. Security Council meeting, Nikki Haley announced the US would within days "bring before the Security Council a resolution that raises the international response in a way that is proportionate to North Korea's new escalation" after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.
July 2017: Haley responds to UNESCO vote on Hebron
In July 2017, after UNESCO voted to designate Hebron's Old City and the Cave of the Patriarchs as Palestinian territory, Nikki Haley called the decision "tragic on several levels."
September 2017: Haley expresses concern over Rohingya atrocities in Myanmar
In September 2017, Nikki Haley said that her government was "deeply troubled" by reports of atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
October 2017: US votes against UN resolution condemning death penalty
In October 2017, the U.S., along with 13 other nations, voted against a U.N. Human Rights Council resolution that condemned the use of capital punishment when "applied arbitrarily or in a discriminatory manner".
October 2017: Haley reprimanded for Hatch Act violation
In October 2017, the federal Office of Special Counsel determined that Nikki Haley had violated the federal Hatch Act in June 2017 by retweeting Trump's endorsement of Ralph Norman.
December 2017: Haley comments on Trump's accusers
In December 2017, Nikki Haley stated that the women who had accused President Trump of touching or groping them without their consent "should be heard, and should be dealt with".
December 2017: Haley warns UN members on Jerusalem vote
In December 2017, Nikki Haley warned UN members that she would be "taking names" of countries that voted to reject Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy there.
2017: End of Haley's gubernatorial term
In 2017, Nikki Haley's term as governor ended, a term in which she vetoed 50 bills, with 24 of them being overridden by the state legislature.
June 19, 2018: US pulls out of UN Human Rights Council
On June 19, 2018, Nikki Haley and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. was pulling out of the United Nations Human Rights Council, citing its "hypocritical and self-serving" nature and "chronic anti-Israel bias."
October 2018: Haley Raises Issue of Uyghur Muslim Minority Re-Education Camps
In October 2018, Nikki Haley brought up the issue of China's re-education camps and human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority, stating that at least a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been imprisoned and subjected to torture and forced renunciation of their religion.
2018: Defense of Trump adminstration's withdrawal of the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal
In 2018, as U.S. ambassador, a defining aspect of Nikki Haley's tenure included her defense of the Trump administration's withdrawal of the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal.
March 2019: Haley Critiques Bernie Sanders' Healthcare Comparison
In March 2019, Nikki Haley criticized Senator Bernie Sanders for comparing healthcare costs in Finland and the U.S., arguing that comparing the U.S. to Finland is ridiculous.
November 2019: Haley Criticizes Trump's First Impeachment
In November 2019, Nikki Haley criticized Trump's first impeachment, comparing it to a "death penalty" and questioning the grounds for impeachment.
December 2019: Haley defends South Carolina residents regarding Confederate flag views
In December 2019, Nikki Haley defended South Carolina residents who viewed the Confederate flag as a symbol of "service and sacrifice and heritage" before it was "hijacked" by Dylann Roof.
2019: Haley's Estimated Net Worth at $1 Million
In 2019, Nikki Haley had an estimated net worth of $1 million.
January 2020: Haley Supports Killing of Qasem Soleimani
In January 2020, Nikki Haley supported Trump's killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and falsely claimed that Democrats were mourning his loss.
March 2020: Haley Criticizes Initial Pandemic Relief Act
In March 2020, Nikki Haley criticized the initial pandemic relief act that was enacted by Republicans and signed by then president Trump.
January 8, 2021: Haley Condemns Twitter's Suspension of Trump
On January 8, 2021, Nikki Haley condemned Twitter's decision to suspend Trump from its platform after the Capitol riots, comparing the suspension to Chinese censorship.
January 12, 2021: Haley Acknowledges Trump's Disappointment
On January 12, 2021, Nikki Haley said, "We need to acknowledge he let us down. He went down a path he shouldn't have, and we shouldn't have followed him, and we shouldn't have listened to him. And we can't let that ever happen again."
February 2021: Haley Defends Trump's Policies in Wall Street Journal Op-Ed
In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal in February 2021, Nikki Haley defended the bulk of the Trump record and his determination to shake up the corrupt status quo in Washington, while acknowledging some actions were wrong.
2021: Haley's Reaction to the Capitol Storming and Trump's Second Impeachment
In 2021, Haley called Trump's actions around the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol "not his finest," but opposed Trump's second impeachment, criticizing Democrats and journalists.
2021: Haley Criticizes Democratic Pandemic Relief Act
In 2021, Nikki Haley criticized the pandemic relief act enacted by Democrats.
2021: Haley Defends Meeting with Caitlyn Jenner
In 2021, Nikki Haley responded to social media mockery of her meeting with Caitlyn Jenner at the UN, stating that she appreciated Jenner's conservative views and rebuking actor Dean Cain for laughing at the post.
2021: Haley speaks against Executive Order 13988
In 2021, Nikki Haley spoke against Executive Order 13988, which was related to preventing discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
2022: Haley's Net Worth Grows to $8 Million
By 2022, Nikki Haley's net worth had grown to an estimated $8 million, boosted by book sales and corporate board memberships with Boeing and United Homes Group.
February 2023: Haley Supports Congressional Term Limits and Mental Competence Tests for Politicians Over 75
In February 2023, Nikki Haley announced her support for congressional term limits and "mandatory mental competence tests for politicians over 75 years old", a proposal which received mixed reactions from U.S. senators.
February 2023: Haley Vows to Cut Foreign Aid to "Enemies" of the US
In February 2023, Nikki Haley pledged to "cut every cent in foreign aid for countries" deemed "enemies" of the United States in an op-ed published by the New York Post.
February 2023: Haley Calls for Extension of Florida Parental Rights in Education Act
In February 2023, Nikki Haley suggested extending Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, which restricts classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity, from third grade through seventh grade, and requiring parental consent for any discussions about sex and sexuality.
February 2023: Haley Supports 15-Week Abortion Ban Proposal
In February 2023, Nikki Haley voiced her support for Senator Lindsey Graham's proposal for a national 15-week abortion ban, which included exceptions for rape, incest, and the life and health of the mother, believing it could achieve a "national consensus".
April 2023: Florida Extends Parental Rights in Education Act
In April 2023, Florida extended the Parental Rights in Education Act through the 12th grade.
May 2023: Haley Pledges to Sign Federal Abortion Ban
In May 2023, Nikki Haley promised to sign a federal abortion ban if elected, without specifying the duration of the ban.
June 2023: Haley Attacks Trump and DeSantis on Ukraine Positions
In June 2023, Nikki Haley criticized Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis for their stances on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while also stating that President Biden had not done enough, without specifying her own alternative approach.
August 2023: Haley Addresses Trump's Indictments and Potential Nomination
During a debate in August 2023, Nikki Haley stated she would support Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, even if he was convicted of crimes, while also expressing concerns about his indictments for keeping classified documents.
August 2023: Haley Refuses to Directly State Position on Federal Abortion Ban
During an August 2023 primary debate, Nikki Haley declined to directly state whether she supports a federal abortion ban, while affirming her support for promoting access to contraception.
September 2023: Haley Comments on Supporting Republican Nominee
In a September 2023 appearance on Face the Nation, Nikki Haley said that she would "always" support the Republican presidential nominee but added that Americans "are not going to vote for a convicted criminal."
December 2023: Haley Calls for Elimination of Hamas and Tougher Approach to Iran
In December 2023, Nikki Haley rejected calls for a ceasefire in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, advocating for the elimination of Hamas and a tougher stance on Iran, suggesting that Palestinian refugees from Gaza should be accepted by countries sympathetic to Hamas.
December 27, 2023: Haley Addresses the Origins of the American Civil War
On December 27, 2023, at a town hall in Berlin, New Hampshire, Nikki Haley stated that the cause of the Civil War was "basically how government was going to run" and "the freedoms and what people could and couldn't do," omitting the role of slavery.
2023: Trump and DeSantis Campaigns Criticize Haley
In 2023, Donald Trump nicknamed Nikki Haley "birdbrain" and criticized her for opposing his presidential nomination bid, while DeSantis's campaign labeled her an establishment candidate and a liberal darling after she received a donation from a Democratic donor.
January 16, 2024: Haley States 'The US has never been a racist country.'
On January 16, 2024, Nikki Haley stated, "The US has never been a racist country."
March 2024: Haley Hints at Not Endorsing Trump
In March 2024, Haley hinted that she may not endorse Trump and asserted that she may no longer be bound by her pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee.
May 22, 2024: Haley Announces She Will Vote for Trump
On May 22, 2024, Nikki Haley stated that she would vote for Donald Trump.
August 2024: Haley Visits Taiwan and Advocates for its Membership in International Organizations
In August 2024, Nikki Haley visited Taiwan, advocating for its full membership in the United Nations and World Health Organization. She drew parallels between the treatment of Taiwan by China and Russian aggression in Ukraine.
2024: Haley Receives Votes in Primaries and Endorses Trump
Despite suspending her campaign, Nikki Haley still received up to 20% of votes in Republican primaries beyond February. Then, in 2024, Trump confirmed that Haley was not under consideration to be his running mate, and Haley later stated she would vote for Trump in the general election.
2024: Haley Receives Write-In Votes in Vermont Election
In the 2024 election, Nikki Haley received 458 write-in votes in the state of Vermont.
