Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff could become a history-making president and first gentleman. Here's a timeline of their relationship.

Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris hug.
Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff marked their 10th wedding anniversary at the Democratic National Convention.
  • Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff met on a blind date and married on August 22, 2014.
  • Emhoff said meeting Harris was "love at first sight," and she's called Emhoff "the love of my life."
  • They marked their 10th anniversary at the DNC, where Harris accepted the presidential nomination.

Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff could become the next president and first gentleman of the United States.

When President Joe Biden announced his exit from the 2024 race, he also endorsed Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee. Harris officially accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention on August 22, 2024, which also happened to be her and Emhoff's 10th wedding anniversary.

Here's a look at Harris and Emhoff's love story.

2013: Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff met on a blind date.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at an event in 2014.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff met through a mutual friend.

Doug Emhoff, an entertainment lawyer, had been married before to film producer Kerstin Emhoff. The couple shares two children, Cole and Ella, and divorced after 16 years of marriage.

After reports emerged in 2024 that their marriage ended due to an extramarital affair, Emhoff released a statement acknowledging that he and Kerstin Emhoff "went through some tough times on account of my actions."

"I took responsibility, and in the years since, we worked through things as a family and have come out stronger on the other side," he said.

Five years after his divorce, Emhoff and Harris were set up on a blind date by Harris' friend Chrisette Hudlin, who met Emhoff through work. At the time, Harris was serving as California's attorney general.

"The morning after our first date, @DouglasEmhoff emailed me a list of his available dates for the next couple of months," Harris wrote on Instagram on Emhoff's birthday in 2020. "He said, 'I want to see if we can make this work.' We've been making it work ever since."

Emhoff described meeting Harris as "love at first sight" in a 2020 Instagram post for her birthday.

August 22, 2014: The couple wed in a ceremony officiated by Harris' sister Maya.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris in 2014.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris in 2014.

According to a profile of Emhoff by Marie Claire, he proposed during a "decidedly unromantic conversation (she was deliberating between chicken or shrimp pad thai)" less than a year after they met.

Harris and Emhoff held their wedding at a courthouse in Santa Barbara, California. Harris wrote in a 2019 Elle Mother's Day essay that she and Emhoff's children didn't like the term "stepmom," so they began calling her "Momala."

2015: The couple attended the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party together.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris attend the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Others in attendance at the star-studded event included Beyoncé and Jay Z, Anna Wintour, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, and Reese Witherspoon, Vanity Fair reported.

2016: Harris successfully ran for US senate, with Emhoff accompanying her to campaign events.
Kamala Harris shows up to cast her vote in 2016.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff voted together.

Emhoff came with her to vote at the Kenter Canyon Elementary Charter School Auditorium in Brentwood, California, in 2016.

January 2017: Emhoff held the Bible for Harris' swearing-in ceremony as a US senator.
Vice President Joe Biden administers the oath at Kamala Harris' swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol's Old Senate Chamber in 2017.
Then-Vice President Joe Biden administered the oath at Kamala Harris' swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol's Old Senate Chamber.

Then-Vice President Joe Biden administered Harris' oath of office. Harris later became Biden's vice presidential pick in his 2020 campaign.

January 2019: Harris launched her presidential campaign with Emhoff by her side.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff wave to supporters at her campaign launch rally
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at Harris' presidential campaign launch rally.

Harris launched her presidential campaign on the steps of Oakland City Hall, where 20,000 people attended the event, SF Weekly reported.

"I'm not overly political," Emhoff later told Marie Claire of his involvement in her campaign. "I'm overly her husband."

January 2019: Harris wrote about the early days of her courtship with Emhoff in her memoir, "The Truths We Hold."
Kamala Harris on her book tour in January 2019.
Kamala Harris on her book tour.

Harris wrote about bringing Emhoff to a professional gathering with her for the first time while they were dating, prompting "whispers and pointing among my team."

"They would later refer to that era as AD — 'After Doug,'" she wrote of her colleagues. "They loved how much he made me laugh. I did, too."

June 2019: Harris and Emhoff attended the California Democratic Party State Organizing Convention together.
Kamala Harris with Doug Emhoff outside the California Democratic Party State Organizing Convention.
Kamala Harris with Doug Emhoff outside the California Democratic Party State Organizing Convention.

Harris greeted supporters outside the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

August 2019: Emhoff snapped a selfie with Harris before her speech at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
Doug Emhoff takes a selfie with Kamala Harris before her campaign speech.
Doug Emhoff took a selfie with Kamala Harris before her campaign speech.

He showed off his Kamala phone case.

December 2019: After Harris ended her presidential bid, Emhoff posted a supportive message on Instagram.
Kamala Harris, looking solemn
Kamala Harris ended her presidential bid in December 2019.

"I've got you @kamalaharris. As always," Emhoff captioned a black-and-white Instagram photo of him embracing her, complete with a heart emoji.

He later told Marie Claire, "She made that decision, and I would have supported whatever she decided. But I'm not her political advisor. I'm her husband. And so my role was to be there for her, to love her, to have her back, to talk it through, to help her."

August 2020: Joe Biden announced Harris as his running mate. Both appeared with their spouses at their first press conference together.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' first press conference together in Wilmington, Delaware, in 2020.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' first joint press conference.

The two couples observed social distancing in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by standing 6 feet apart and air-hugging.

August 2020: Emhoff, who took a leave of absence from his legal firm, joined Harris at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff onstage at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff onstage at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

The convention was held virtually due to the pandemic.

September 2020: They held hands at a remembrance ceremony for the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at a 9/11 memorial ceremony.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at a 9/11 memorial ceremony.

Harris and Emhoff attended a memorial ceremony at the Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters in Virginia on September 11, 2020.

October 2020: Emhoff gave Harris a masked kiss after the vice presidential debate.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris after the vice presidential debate.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris after the vice presidential debate.

Arguably, the most memorable part of the debate was when a gigantic fly landed on Mike Pence's head.

November 2020: Biden and Harris won the presidential election, and Harris expressed her love for Emhoff in her victory speech.
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris stand with spouses Doug Emhoff and Jill Biden.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris stand with spouses Doug Emhoff and Jill Biden.

Harris mentioned her husband and family in her victory speech introducing Biden.

"To my husband Doug, our children Cole and Ella, my sister Maya, and our whole family — I love you all more than I can express," she said.

Harris also shared a photo of herself with Emhoff on Instagram that night, captioned, "Meet the love of my life, Doug Emhoff."

November 2020: Emhoff announced he planned to quit his law firm in order to focus on his role as second gentleman.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff smile and hold each other
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris with her husband, Doug Emhoff.

A spokesperson told AP News that Emhoff was leaving his position at DLA Piper to devote himself to the role of second gentleman.

"There is a lot of symbolism from a man stepping back from his high-powered career in order to support his wife's career," Kim Nalder, a political science professor at California State University-Sacramento, told the AP.

The move was likely also for ethical reasons — Emhoff is not a lobbyist, but his law firm does lobby the federal government on behalf of clients.

"Stepping back from my career as an entertainment lawyer was a decision that we made together — this was about something bigger than either of us," Emhoff wrote for GQ in 2021.

November 2020: They went holiday shopping, where Emhoff proudly pointed to a "Madam Vice President" T-shirt.
Doug Emhoff holds a t-shirt that says "Madam Vice President" as Kamala Harris looks on
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff shop in the Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, DC.

Harris and Emhoff went shopping at a local holiday market in Washington, DC, for Small Business Saturday.

January 2021: Twitter, now known as X, created the first-ever official second gentleman account for Emhoff in the days before Harris' inauguration.
A screenshot of the official second gentleman Twitter account in January 2021.
A screenshot of the official second gentleman X account from January 2021.

His bio described him as "Proud husband to Vice President-elect Harris."

January 2021: In an interview with "CBS Sunday Morning," Harris admitted that she Googled Emhoff before their first date.
Doug Emhoff and vice president-elect Kamala Harris in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning. Doug Emhoff looks shocked as Kamala Harris laughs
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris in an interview with "CBS Sunday Morning."

"I've never been asked that!" Harris said after CBS' Jane Pauley asked if she'd Googled Emhoff before their first date. "I did!"

Emhoff's mouth dropped open in surprise as Harris burst out laughing, affectionately touching his arm and calling him "Dougie."

The hilarious moment went viral, racking up nearly 1.5 million views on YouTube in two days.

January 2021: Emhoff held two Bibles for Harris as she was sworn in as vice president.
kamala harris swearing in
Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice president as Doug Emhoff held two Bibles.

One of the Bibles belonged to Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court justice. The other belonged to Regina Nelson, a family friend of Harris.

 

March 2021: They disembarked from Air Force Two arm in arm on their first official trip.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff exit Air Force Two arm in arm, smiling at each other.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff on Air Force Two.

Harris and Emhoff visited Las Vegas and Denver, stopping at their home in Brentwood, California, in between.

April 2021: Harris and Emhoff moved into the official vice presidential residence after repairs to the property were completed.
The US Naval Observatory and official residence of the vice president of the US.
Number One Observatory Circle, the official residence of the US vice president.

Number One Observatory Circle has served as the official vice presidential residence since 1977. The home is located on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, where scientists collect astronomical data for accurate navigation.

Harris and Emhoff had been living in Blair House across from the White House while the historic home underwent repairs.

December 2021: The couple shared a kiss at a menorah lighting ceremony at the White House during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris kiss at the White House Hanukkah party in 2021
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at a menorah lighting ceremony at the White House.

Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of a US vice president, spoke at the national menorah lighting ceremony on the White House lawn.

"Let us remember always, that Jewish history is American history," he said.

February 2022: Emhoff wished Harris a happy Valentine's Day, writing on X, "Life is always brighter by your side."
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff sit side by side
Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at a White House event.

"Life is always brighter by your side. Happy Valentine's Day, @VP," Emhoff wrote on X, accompanied by a heart emoji.

July 2022: Emhoff told a group of students that leaving his law career to support Harris was a "no-brainer."
Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff wave from Air Force Two
Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff on Air Force Two.

In July 2022, Emhoff spoke to participants in a summer camp run by Tools & Tiaras, a nonprofit in Queens, New York, that encourages women and girls to pursue careers in construction, about supporting Harris in her role.

"I think just by stepping away from my career that I love and I was actually very good at so I could support my wife, who was the first woman to become vice president, it was a no-brainer," Emhoff said. "With this big platform that I have and all the microphones and media and working in this great administration with all of these resources, I really decided to lean in on this issue of men supporting women, professionally and personally, so they can succeed, even if that means stepping away from my own career."

October 2022: Emhoff wished his "amazing wife" a happy birthday.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris at a gala
Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris at the Phoenix Awards Dinner.

"Happy birthday to my amazing wife and the love of my life," Emhoff wrote on X. "I will always be right by your side. Love you, Kamala."

July 2024: Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Harris as the Democratic candidate, renewing public interest in Harris and Emhoff's relationship.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff hold hands and smile at the Harris campaign headquarters.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at her campaign headquarters in Delaware.

After a disastrous debate performance in June that left Democrats panicked about his age and ability to serve a second term, Biden dropped out of the 2024 race and endorsed Harris. 

If elected, Harris would be the first female president of the United States, and Emhoff would be the first first gentleman.

Emhoff accompanied Harris on her first visit to her new campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. He posed with a "Harris for President" sign for an Instagram photo captioned, "Time to make history, @KamalaHarris."

"I am honored to have the president's endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," Harris said in a statement.

July 2024: Emhoff's ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, praised Harris as a co-parent after Sen. JD Vance's "childless cat lady" remarks from a 2021 interview went viral.
Kerstin Emhoff and Ella Emhoff.
Kerstin Emhoff and Ella Emhoff.

In a 2021 interview with then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Vance named Harris as one of the "childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too." Vance's spokesperson told Business Insider that his remarks had been mischaracterized.

Kerstin Emhoff called the criticisms of Harris "baseless attacks."

"For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I," she said in a statement to CNN. "She is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it."

Doug Emhoff also called Vance's statement "abhorrent."

August 2024: Harris and Emhoff marked their 10th wedding anniversary at the Democratic National Convention, where she accepted the presidential nomination.
Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris hug.
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at the Democratic National Convention.

In his speech on the third night of the convention, Emhoff recounted how he met and fell in love with Harris, including the "rambling" first voicemail he left after he got her number.

"I remember I was trying to grab the words out of the air and just put them back in my mouth," he said. "And for what seemed like far too many minutes, I hung up. By the way, Kamala saved that voicemail and she makes me listen to it on every anniversary."

He also called Harris a "joyful warrior" who can "smell weakness."

"Her passion will benefit all of us when she's our president," he said. "And here's the thing about joyful warriors. There are still warriors, and Kamala is as tough as it comes. Just ask the criminals, the global gangsters, and the witnesses before the Senate Judiciary Committee."

In her speech accepting the nomination the following night, Harris began by wishing Emhoff a happy anniversary.

"Let me start by thanking my most incredible husband Doug for being an incredible partner to me, an incredible father to Cole and Ella, and happy anniversary, Dougie," she said. "I love you so very much."

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