Kamala Harris speaks during an economic forum in Las Vegas in April 2019. The US senator from California is now the vice president of the United States.
In pictures: Vice President Kamala Harris
Updated 11:11 AM EDT, Wed September 11, 2024
Kamala Harris, the United States’ first female vice president, made more history at the Democratic National Convention when she formally accepted the party’s presidential nomination.
“On behalf of the people; on behalf of every American regardless of party, race, gender, or the language your grandmother speaks; on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey; on behalf of Americans like the people I grew up with, people who work hard, chase their dreams, and look out for one another; on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth, I accept your nomination for president of the United States of America,” she said as the crowd broke out in cheers.
Harris is the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major-party ticket. If elected, she would be the first woman and Indian American president.
Harris announced her candidacy in July after President Joe Biden withdrew his reelection bid and endorsed her to succeed him. The party has moved quickly to coalesce behind Harris following Biden’s unprecedented exit.
Harris became the first female vice president of the United States when she was sworn into office in January 2021.
“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last,” Harris said in her first speech to the nation as vice president-elect.
Harris wrote. “She, and so many other strong women in my life, showed me the importance of community involvement and public service.”” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2405″ width=”1600″>A young Harris is seen with her mother, Shyamala, in this photo that was posted on Harris’ Facebook page in March 2017. “My mother was born in India and came to the United States to study at UC Berkeley, where she eventually became an endocrinologist and breast-cancer researcher,” Harris wrote. “She, and so many other strong women in my life, showed me the importance of community involvement and public service.”
Harris and her younger sister, Maya, pose for a Christmas photo in 1968.
she posted to social media in 2015. Her name, Kamala, comes from the Sanskrit word for the lotus flower. Harris is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants and grew up attending both a Baptist church and a Hindu temple.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1599″ width=”1600″>Harris rides a carousel in this old photo she posted to social media in 2015. Her name, Kamala, comes from the Sanskrit word for the lotus flower. Harris is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants and grew up attending both a Baptist church and a Hindu temple.
she confronted Joe Biden over his opposition many years ago to the federal government mandating busing to integrate schools. “There was a little girl in California who was bussed to school,” she tweeted. “That little girl was me.”” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1095″ width=”1600″>Harris tweeted this photo of her as a child after referencing it during a Democratic debate in June 2019. During the debate, she confronted Joe Biden over his opposition many years ago to the federal government mandating busing to integrate schools. “There was a little girl in California who was bussed to school,” she tweeted. “That little girl was me.”
Harris got her bachelor’s degree from Howard University in Washington, DC.
Harris graduates from law school in 1989. “My first grade teacher, Mrs. Wilson (left), came to cheer me on,” Harris said. “My mom was pretty proud, too.”
Harris is joined by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, left, and the Rev. Cecil Williams, center, for a San Francisco march celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. in January 2004. Harris was the city’s district attorney from 2004 to 2011.
Harris speaks to supporters before a “No on K” news conference in October 2008. The San Francisco ballot measure Proposition K sought to stop enforcing laws against prostitution. It was voted down on election day.
Harris looks over seized guns following a news conference in Sacramento, California, in June 2011. Harris became California’s attorney general in January 2011 and held that office until 2017. She was the first African American, the first woman and the first Asian American to become California’s attorney general.
Harris attends the Democratic Party’s state convention in February 2012.
Harris watches California Gov. Jerry Brown sign copies of the California Homeowner Bill of Rights in July 2012.
Harris speaks on the second night of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
In May 2013, Harris and California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow place a wreath honoring Highway Patrol officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Harris officiates the wedding of Kris Perry, left, and Sandy Stier in June 2013. Perry and Stier were married after a federal appeals court cleared the way for California to immediately resume issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Harris is flanked by her husband, Douglas Emhoff, and her sister, Maya. Next to Maya Harris is Maya’s daughter, Meena, and Maya’s husband, Tony West.
Harris receives a gift from supporters in January 2015 after she announced plans to run for the US Senate.
Harris speaks during a news conference in February 2015.
Harris, as a new member of the Senate, participates in a re-enacted swearing-in with Vice President Joe Biden in January 2017. She is the first Indian American and the second African American woman to serve as a US senator.
Harris talks with former US Sen. Bob Dole on Capitol Hill in January 2017.
Harris attends the Women’s March on Washington in January 2017.
Harris speaks to Fatima and Yuleni Avelica, whose father was deported, before a news conference on Capitol Hill in March 2017.
Harris greets a crowd at an event in Richmond, Virginia, in October 2017.
In November 2017, Harris was among the lawmakers on the Senate Intelligence Committee grilling Silicon Valley giants over the role that their platforms inadvertently played in Russia’s meddling in US politics.
Harris and her husband attend a Golden State Warriors basketball game in May 2018.
Harris attends a rally with, from left, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom, and Newsom’s wife, Jennifer, in May 2018. Newsom won the election in November.
Harris speaks with US Sen. Cory Booker during the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in September 2018.
Harris presses Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.
Harris arrives with staff for a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2018.
Harris reads from her children’s book “Superheroes Are Everywhere” during a book signing in Los Angeles in January 2019. She also released a memoir, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey.”
A person holds a Harris poster during the Women’s March in Los Angeles in January 2019.
Harris holds her first presidential campaign rally in January 2019. She had announced her presidential bid a week earlier on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Her campaign signs carried the theme “Kamala Harris for the people” — the words that she spoke each time she rose in the courtroom as a prosecutor.
Harris speaks during her CNN town-hall event, which was moderated by Jake Tapper in Iowa in January 2019.
Media members photograph Harris and the Rev. Al Sharpton as they have lunch at Sylvia’s Restaurant in New York in February 2019.
went after Biden over his early career opposition to federally mandated busing.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1411″ width=”2311″>Harris confronts former Vice President Joe Biden, left, during the first Democratic debates in June 2019. Harris went after Biden over his early career opposition to federally mandated busing.
Harris rides her campaign bus in Iowa in August 2019.
Harris and Biden greet each other at a Detroit high school as they attend a “Get Out the Vote” event in March 2020. Harris had dropped out of the presidential race a few months earlier, telling her supporters that the campaign didn’t have the financial resources to continue.
Harris joins fellow Democrats from the House and Senate as they kneel in silence to honor George Floyd at the US Capitol in June 2020.
Biden calls Harris from his Delaware home to inform her that she was his choice for vice president.
Harris and Biden sign paperwork to officially get on the ballot in all 50 states.
Democratic National Convention. “Let’s fight with conviction,” Harris said in her speech. “Let’s fight with hope. Let’s fight with confidence in ourselves and a commitment to each other. To the America we know is possible. The America we love.”” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1435″ width=”2000″>Harris delivers a speech as she formally accepts the nomination at the Democratic National Convention. “Let’s fight with conviction,” Harris said in her speech. “Let’s fight with hope. Let’s fight with confidence in ourselves and a commitment to each other. To the America we know is possible. The America we love.”
Biden and Harris appear before supporters at the end of the Democratic National Convention.
vice presidential debate in October 2020.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1067″ width=”1600″>Harris addresses Vice President Mike Pence during the vice presidential debate in October 2020.
Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, tweeted this photo of him and Harris that was taken in November 2020, just after she and Biden were projected to win the election. “So proud of you,” Emhoff wrote.
Harris arrives on stage to give a victory speech in Wilmington, Delaware.
Biden and Harris greet each other on the stage where they delivered their victory speeches.
Harris is sworn in as vice president as her husband holds the Bible in January 2021. Harris was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She wore the color purple as a nod to Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to run for president.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1067″ width=”1600″>
Harris walks with her family to the White House on the final stretch of an abbreviated inaugural parade.
Jackson’s historic confirmation to the Supreme Court in April 2022. Jackson is the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1600″ width=”2405″>
visited the Demilitarized Zone dividing North and South Korea in September 2022. It was the last stop on her four-day trip to Asia, and it came a day after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the waters off its east coast.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1600″ width=”2338″>Harris is given a tour near the demarcation line as she visited the Demilitarized Zone dividing North and South Korea in September 2022. It was the last stop on her four-day trip to Asia, and it came a day after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the waters off its east coast.
addresses Congress at the US Capitol in December 2022 as Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hold up a Ukrainian national flag signed by troops from the besieged area of Bakhmut.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1600″ width=”2400″>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses Congress at the US Capitol in December 2022 as Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hold up a Ukrainian national flag signed by troops from the besieged area of Bakhmut.
visited the White House in January 2023. Harris said she had been a Warriors fan her “entire life.”” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1600″ width=”2400″>Biden and Harris pose with the Golden State Warriors as the NBA champions visited the White House in January 2023. Harris said she had been a Warriors fan her “entire life.”
meet with congressional leaders in the White House Oval Office in May 2023 to talk about a deal to raise the nation’s borrowing limit and avoid a historic default. Joining Biden and Harris, from left, are Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1600″ width=”2400″>Biden and Harris meet with congressional leaders in the White House Oval Office in May 2023 to talk about a deal to raise the nation’s borrowing limit and avoid a historic default. Joining Biden and Harris, from left, are Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
two of only three Black women to have served as a US senator. ” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1600″ width=”2400″>US Sen. Laphonza Butler is sworn in by Harris at the US Capitol in October 2023. Harris and Butler are two of only three Black women to have served as a US senator.
The rare joint appearance highlighted the emphasis that the duo planned to place on health care for the upcoming election.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1600″ width=”2401″>Harris embraces Biden after a speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, in March 2024. The rare joint appearance highlighted the emphasis that the duo planned to place on health care for the upcoming election.
he would be dropping out of the presidential race and supporting her to be the nominee.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1667″ width=”2500″>Harris and Emhoff arrive to greet staff at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, in July 2024. It was the day after Biden announced that he would be dropping out of the presidential race and supporting her to be the nominee.
her first campaign rally, two days after Biden dropped out of the presidential race. She told supporters that she would spend the coming weeks “continuing to unite our party” ahead of August’s Democratic National Convention and this fall’s showdown with Donald Trump.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1667″ width=”2500″>Harris speaks in Milwaukee in her first campaign rally, two days after Biden dropped out of the presidential race. She told supporters that she would spend the coming weeks “continuing to unite our party” ahead of August’s Democratic National Convention and this fall’s showdown with Donald Trump.
their first joint campaign rally in Philadelphia in August 2024.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″>
Democratic National Convention in August 2024. She officially became the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major-party ticket.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1670″ width=”2505″>Harris waves as she takes the stage for her speech at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024. She officially became the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major-party ticket.
Harris’ first in-depth interview with a major media outlet since she became the nominee.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1996″ width=”3000″>
their presidential debate in September 2024. Harris walked over to Trump and extended her hand. He accepted the handshake. It was the first time the two had met.” onload=”this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)” onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1600″ width=”2400″>Harris shakes hands with former President Donald Trump at the start of their presidential debate in September 2024. Harris walked over to Trump and extended her hand. He accepted the handshake. It was the first time the two had met.
