Kamala Harris Family Tree: Tracing Her Roots

As the first female Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris has broken barriers not just as a politician, but also as a symbol of diversity and resilience. And what makes her story so special? Well, many things – but for the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing on her fascinating mixed Indian-Jamaican heritage and how it has influenced her over her long and illustrious career.

 

On top of that, we will dive deep into Kamala Harris family tree as a whole – we’ll explore her early life and the formative years, trace the origins of her ancestors, and see what roles they have played or are still playing in Kamala’s life.

Early Life of Kamala Harris

Birth and Childhood

Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Her parents, both immigrants, would often move from one place to another as they changed teaching positions – Berkeley, Urbana, Evanston, Madison just to name a few. Regardless of their residence, Kamala was raised during the height of the civil rights movement – an environment that had a lasting influence on her, as she witnessed protests and rallies firsthand. 

 

Her parents divorced when she was just seven years old, but that wouldn’t stop Kamala from having strong bonds with them both, despite the early separation. In 1972, Donald Harris was teaching at Stanford University, and Kamala would spend weekends at his place in Palo Alto while being under her mother’s custody in Berkeley, where she stayed during the week.

 

Kamala would later leave to study at Vanier College in Montreal, then Howard University, and finally, the University of California, from which she graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1989.

Parents’ Background

Shyamala Gopalan Harris (Mother)

 

Kamala’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was a brilliant breast cancer researcher and social activist. Born on December 7, 1938 in Chennai, India, Shyamala moved to the U.S. at just 19 to study endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley. 

 

But on top of her academic achievements, Shyamala was also heavily involved in the civil rights movement as she aimed to stop racial justice in the U.S once and for all.

 

It is widely reported that Shyamala’s commitment to both her profession and activism had a profound influence on Kamala. Kamala herself is known to quote her mother on occasion; one prominent example was Shyamala telling Kamala and her sister Maya “You may be the first, but make sure you’re not the last.”

 

Shyamala passed away in 2009 due to complications caused by colon cancer.

Donald Harris (Father)

 

Donald J. Harris, Kamala’s father, is a Jamaican-born economist and social activist. He was born on August 23, 1938, in Saint Ann Parish and later moved to the United States to pursue a PhD in economics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he would meet his future wife. Now aged 86, he has been retired from teaching since 1998 – which has been the work of his life as he has had a distinguished career as a professor of economics, most notably at Stanford University.

 

He was involved in social justice issues, much like Shyamala, and this shared commitment to activism provided a framework for Kamala’s political career. And though Kamala has acknowledged that her relationship with her father has been complicated, she still sees him as an important influence in both the past and the present.

The Kamala Harris Family Tree Chart

Did you know you could recreate the famous family tree of Kamala Harris? With Treemily, it’s very simple! 

 

All you need is to create a free account, choose your preferred family tree layout, and put in some basic information about the family members. 

 

Don’t be put off by the amount of effort it may take to have all of them listed – it is really quick and simple! And don’t forget to add pictures of each of the family members as well as some facts about them!

 

Once you’re done, you can export it to a stunningly looking PDF or even have it printed on paper of the size of your choosing.

 

Excited to embark on your first genealogical adventure? Feel free to find out more useful guidance in our “how to make a family tree” manual!

Maternal Lineage: The Gopalan Family

P.V. Gopalan (Maternal Grandfather)

 

Kamala’s maternal grandfather, P.V. Gopalan (1911-1998), was a respected civil servant in India, working as a senior government official. As such, he served in various roles – perhaps, most notable was his contribution in Zambia where he was helping with refugee resettlement. 

 

Kamala has often spoken about the conversations she shared with him during her childhood trips to India – he wouldn’t shy away from discussing politics and global affairs with his grandchildren, despite their youthfulness.

Rajam Gopalan (Maternal Grandmother)

 

Not much is known about Kamala’s maternal grandmother, Rajam Gopalan. What we can gather from statements made by Kamala and her family, Rajam had never attended school and was mostly a homemaker and a warm presence both in Kamala’s and Shyamala’s lives.. 

Paternal Lineage: The Harris Family

Oscar Joseph Harris (Paternal Grandfather)

Oscar Joseph Harris, Kamala’s paternal grandfather, was a landowner and farmer in Jamaica. He worked in agricultural export, helping manage family-owned land and property in Saint Ann Parish. Though much of Oscar’s life remains relatively private, Donald Harris has often spoken of the values he learned from his father, which included hard work, resilience, and a deep respect for education.

Beryl Harris (Paternal Grandmother)

 

Beryl Christie Harris, Kamala’s paternal grandmother, was also born in Jamaica. Beryl’s family history is rather complex, as it traces back to both enslaved Africans and Hamilton-Brown, a known plantation owner in Jamaica. Beryl’s biography is also largely unknown, but from Donald’s and Kamala’s words, we can gather that her influence was far from small, as she taught Donald the values of education, just like his father.

The Intersection of Her Indian and Jamaican Ancestry

Kamala Harris’s identity as the daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father is central to both her personal and public life. Within herself, she combines these two cultures, which gives her a very unique perspective on race, immigration, and identity in the United States. She has also spoken very openly about how her dual heritage has allowed her to connect with a diverse range of communities, both in California and across the country.

Siblings and Extended Family

Kamala’s Sister: Maya Harris

 

Maya Harris (b. January 30, 1967) is Kamala’s younger sister and is a lawyer as well as a political strategist. The two sisters have always been close, with Maya playing a huge role in Kamala’s political campaigns, particularly her presidential bid in 2020, and now – in 2024.  They often show up together in public, and it’s no big surprise as Kamala often refers to her sister as her closest confidante.

 

As for Maya’s career, she has had positions at organizations like the ACLU and served as a senior advisor on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Her work in public policy, which has been centered around equality and civil rights, has made her an influential figure in her own right. 

Douglas Emhoff (Kamala’s Husband)

 

Douglas Emhoff (b. October 13, 1964) is Kamala’s husband and United States’ first ever Second Gentleman (through being married to the first-ever female U.S. Vice President). Born in Brooklyn, New York, Douglas has made his career as an entertainment lawyer, which doesn’t stop him from being actively involved in Kamala’s campaigns as well. 

 

He has taken on a public-facing role, using his platform to raise awareness about issues such as gender equality and access to justice since their marriage in 2014.

Cole and Ella Emhoff: Her Stepkids

 

Kamala’s stepchildren, Cole and Ella Emhoff, are Doug’s children from his first marriage to Kerstin Emhoff. Having entered Kamala’s life around 11 years ago, aged 19 and 14 respectively, they have supported her ever since. Kamala has often spoken about how much she values her relationship with them, affectionately referring to herself as “Momala.”

 

Ella, now 25, is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design and has gained attention in the fashion industry, even modeling at high-profile fashion shows. Cole, 30, on the other hand, works in the entertainment industry, following in his father’s footsteps. 

Conclusion

Kamala Harris’s lineage is as rich as her public career – the influences of her Indian and Jamaican roots combined shape her as a strong advocate for social justice, no matter the origin. Through her close relationship with her sister Maya, her supportive husband Doug, and her stepchildren Ella and Cole, Kamala continues to cement her family in history and leave a legacy that will last for decades to come.

 

Would you like to preserve your family legacy – and have your family tree passed from generation to generation? Treemily can help you!

 

You can create amazing family charts in our family tree builder in just a couple of steps!

 

Create a free account, choose your preferred tree layout, and put in the information about your family. Once you’re done, you can export it to a stunningly looking PDF or have it printed on paper of the size of your choosing. Let’s go!

FAQs About Kamala Harris’s Family Tree

What Is Kamala Harris’s Ethnic Background?

Kamala Harris is of mixed heritage: her father Donald is of Jamaican descent, while her mother Shyamala is from southern India.

How has Kamala Harris’s Family Influenced her Career?

It has been widely reported that Kamala’s lineage, especially her parents, were instrumental in shaping her career. Both social activities and academics, instilled in her the dedication to activism, education, and leadership.

What Role Did Kamala Harris’s Heritage Play in Her Public Identity?

Kamala’s mix of Indian and Jamaican heritage has helped her to connect with diverse communities and her ability to draw from both sides of her cultural background has been a big part of her political appeal.

Where Are Kamala Harris’s Parents from?

Kamala’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born in Chennai, India, while her father, Donald Harris, is from Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. Both moved to the U.S. for their studies and careers, where they met and raised their two daughters.

 

 

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