5 Surprising Facts About Kamala Harris's Family: Is She Married With Children?

The question of whether Kamala Harris is married with children is one of the most frequently searched queries about the Vice President, reflecting a deep public curiosity about her personal life beyond her political career. As of December 2025, the answer is a heartwarming blend of traditional and modern family dynamics: Yes, she is married to her husband, Douglas Emhoff, and while she does not have biological children, she is a proud and devoted stepmother to two adult children, Cole and Ella Emhoff, who affectionately call her 'Momala'.

This unique family structure, centered around the first-ever Second Gentleman and the first female Vice President, has redefined the modern political family. Their story is one of a successful blind date, a blending of families, and a commitment to maintaining a close-knit unit despite the intense scrutiny of the national spotlight, offering a fresh perspective on family life in the highest echelons of American politics.

Complete Family Biography & Profile

To fully understand the family dynamic, it is essential to know the key members of the Harris-Emhoff household. The following profiles detail the lives of the Vice President, her husband, and her two stepchildren, complete with their most recent professional and personal milestones.

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• Kamala Devi Harris
  • Role: Vice President of the United States (2021–Present)
  • Born: October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California
  • Parents: Donald J. Harris (Economist, Jamaican-American) and Dr. Shyamala Gopalan (Biomedical Scientist, Indian-American)
  • Spouse: Douglas Emhoff (m. 2014)
  • Biological Children: None
  • Stepchildren: Cole Emhoff and Ella Emhoff
  • Nickname: "Momala" (coined by her stepchildren)
  • Previous Roles: District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, U.S. Senator for California.
• Douglas Craig Emhoff
  • Role: American Lawyer, First Second Gentleman of the United States (2021–2025)
  • Born: October 13, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York
  • Education: J.D. from USC Gould School of Law
  • Professional Career: Highly successful entertainment lawyer, partner at DLA Piper and Venable. Stepped down from his private practice role to focus on his duties as Second Gentleman.
  • First Marriage: Kerstin Emhoff (divorced)
  • Current Spouse: Kamala Harris (m. 2014)
• Cole Emhoff
  • Relationship to Kamala: Stepson
  • Profession: Works in production development (specifically mentioned as a Production Development Manager).
  • Personal Life: Recently married (October 14, 2023) to his wife, Greenley Littlejohn, in a ceremony officiated by Kamala Harris herself in Los Angeles.
  • Notable Fact: Credited, along with his sister, for coining the affectionate term "Momala."
• Ella Rose Emhoff
  • Relationship to Kamala: Stepdaughter
  • Born: May 29, 1999
  • Profession: Multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer.
  • Career Highlights: Signed with IMG Models shortly after the 2021 Inauguration. Launched her own company, Soft Hands, Inc., in 2021, to explore design and creative opportunities. Noted for her distinctive, unconventional style.

The Sweet Origin of 'Momala' and Blended Family Life

The term 'Momala' is perhaps the most famous and endearing entity associated with Kamala Harris's family life. It is a portmanteau of "Mom" and "Kamala," and it was coined by her stepchildren, Cole and Ella Emhoff, shortly after her marriage to Doug Emhoff in 2014. The name perfectly encapsulates the close, loving relationship she shares with her stepchildren, a bond that is neither a typical stepmother-stepchild dynamic nor a replacement for their biological mother, Kerstin Emhoff.

This blended family is a testament to the modern American family. Harris and Doug Emhoff met on a blind date in 2013, set up by a mutual friend. Their connection was immediate, leading to an engagement and a courthouse wedding in Santa Barbara in 2014, officiated by Kamala’s sister, Maya Harris. Crucially, Doug’s ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, and Kamala Harris share a remarkably friendly relationship, often seen supporting one another at political and family events. This commitment to "family first" has created a stable and supportive environment for everyone involved, setting a powerful example of co-parenting and mutual respect on the national stage.

Douglas Emhoff: The Trailblazing Second Gentleman and His Legal Career

Douglas Emhoff's role as the First Second Gentleman of the United States was a historic milestone, bringing a male spouse into the typically female-dominated position. His professional background is a significant part of his identity. Before stepping into his political role, Emhoff was a highly respected entertainment lawyer in California, a partner at major firms like DLA Piper and Venable. His legal expertise focused on media, intellectual property, and business disputes.

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When his wife became Vice President, Emhoff made the decision to leave his private practice to avoid any potential conflicts of interest, a move that underscored his commitment to his new public service role. During his time as Second Gentleman (2021–2025), his initiatives focused on promoting legal aid, supporting military families, and combating antisemitism, leveraging his background and platform to champion important social causes. His transition from a high-profile legal career to a public service role highlights the sacrifices and adjustments required of the spouses of top political figures.

The Emhoff Children: From Political Family to Cultural Icons

Cole and Ella Emhoff have emerged from the shadow of their political family to establish their own unique careers and public profiles, adding a layer of cultural relevance to the Harris-Emhoff family narrative.

Ella Emhoff: The Fashion World's New Muse

Ella Emhoff, born in 1999, has become a notable figure in the fashion and art world. Her distinctive, often quirky personal style, which was prominently featured during the 2021 Inauguration, quickly captured the attention of the media. This visibility led to her signing with IMG Models and subsequently walking the runway for major fashion houses. Beyond modeling, Ella is a dedicated multidisciplinary artist and designer, having founded her own company, Soft Hands, Inc., in 2021. She specializes in textile arts, creating unique hand-knitted pieces like skirts, coats, and hats. Her career trajectory demonstrates a successful blend of high-fashion modeling and independent artistic creation.

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Cole Emhoff: A Private Life in Production

Cole Emhoff, who is older than Ella, maintains a more private profile, working in the field of production development. His recent personal life, however, made headlines with his marriage to Greenley Littlejohn in October 2023. The wedding was a significant family event, with Kamala Harris presiding over the ceremony as the officiant, a detail that further highlights the genuine closeness of the blended family. Cole's professional work in production development and his recent marriage solidify his position as a stable, career-focused member of the family, even as his sister embraces the spotlight.

5 Key Takeaways on the Harris-Emhoff Family

The public narrative of Kamala Harris's family life offers several key insights that go beyond the initial question of "is she married with children."

1. No Biological Children: Kamala Harris does not have biological children, but she has been a stepmother to Cole and Ella since her marriage to Doug Emhoff in 2014.
2. The 'Momala' Distinction: The term "Momala" was created by her stepchildren to honor her role as a loving, supportive, and non-traditional mother figure, a name she cherishes.
3. A Successful Blind Date: The relationship between Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff began with a blind date in 2013, proving that even high-powered political figures can find love through unexpected means.
4. The Second Gentleman's Sacrifice: Doug Emhoff gave up a lucrative, decades-long career as an entertainment lawyer to take on the public service role of Second Gentleman, focusing on initiatives like combating hate and supporting the arts.
5. A Harmonious Blended Family: The family is notably close, including Doug’s ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, who is an integral part of their extended family unit, demonstrating a mature and modern approach to co-parenting and blended family dynamics.