Kamala Harris’ Stepdaughter Stuns in a Two-Piece, Revealing Tattoos and an Inspiring Journey from Low Self-Esteem to Success
The U.S. vice president, Kamala Harris, is a proud stepmother to two adult stepchildren who have given her a special nickname she loves. Among them, only one has chosen a path in the arts and attends high-profile events.
When Kamala married attorney Douglas Emhoff in August 2014, she became a stepmother to his two children: Cole, born in September 1994, and Ella, born in May 1999. Her stepdaughter, Ella, is a talented knitter who has spoken openly about struggling with low self-esteem while exploring her creative passions.
Kamala takes pride in her role as a stepmother, with the title “Momala.” In a July 2024 interview, she said, “It’s the name the kids gave me, and I wear it proudly.”
Kamala says her happiest moments are spent with her family. In her memoir, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, she called her stepchildren “an endless source of love and pure joy” and shared how proud she feels watching them grow, always signing off as their devoted “Momala.”
Her love for her stepchildren is clear in her public actions. When Ella turned 20 in May 2019, Kamala celebrated with a heartfelt post on X, sharing a beach photo and writing, “Happy birthday to our daughter, Ella. My heart is whole and my life is full with you in it. Love, Momala.”
Kamala celebrated Ella again in May 2021 when her stepdaughter graduated. On X, she wrote, “Congratulations to our daughter Ella on her graduation. I am so proud of you. Keep dreaming with ambition, and there is nothing you cannot achieve. Love, Momala.”
Her husband, Douglas, also shares pride in Ella’s achievements. He wrote, “My darling Ella, we are such proud parents! We love you so much and can’t wait to see all you do in the future.”
In 2022, Douglas honored Ella on her birthday with a family photo. He wrote, “People often ask me if I’m Ella Emhoff’s dad. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy Birthday, Ella. We’re so proud of you.”
Ella has spoken about her parents’ style of raising her and Cole. In one interview, she admitted that Kamala discovered her tattoo through Instagram. Ella shared that she doesn’t always inform her parents about personal choices.
“When it comes to things like that, they have different opinions, so I just don’t tell them. Luckily, Doug and Kamala don’t really check my Instagram,” she explained.
Ella, who has shown off her tattoos, noted that her parents have adjusted to parenting adult children. “With things like hair and tattoos, they don’t always understand, but they want us to be ourselves,” she said. Ella praised their teamwork as a “three-person parenting squad” with good communication.
Outside of family, Ella has built a successful career as an artist and fashion designer. In 2024, Gotham New York highlighted her work in an exhibition of unique knitwear she created.
In an interview, Ella reflected on learning knitting from her mother at six years old in a Disneyland hotel. She described herself as a hyperactive child who loved being creative.
Knitting helped her focus her energy and manage stress, eventually leading her to study fine arts and textiles at Parsons School of Design.
Ella has also ventured into modeling, which she initially found challenging. “I’ve had low self-esteem my whole life, and modeling felt like a way to take control of that,” she explained.
In modeling, Ella embraces her uniqueness, like her tattoos and body hair, which make her stand out. On the runway, she stays calm by focusing on a “Zen state” and jokingly avoiding eye contact with Anna Wintour.
Ella reached a career milestone when she attended the 2021 Met Gala and was later honored by Harper’s Bazaar as Icon of the Year in 2022.
Despite her successes, Ella has worked on personal challenges. Her therapist’s advice, “Compare and despair,” helped her focus on herself rather than comparing her worth to others, which she said leads only to unhappiness.
Ella’s personal life has also gained attention. In 2021, she confirmed her relationship with GQ writer Sam Hine, and they were often seen together at fashion events. Ella described their ideal date as finding quirky items at markets.
Sam admired Ella for being “a true individual” and praised her for not conforming to typical modeling standards. However, the couple ended their relationship in the summer of 2023.
Ella also shares snippets of her personal life, like her love for her dog. In February 2024, she introduced him on Instagram with a photo, saying, “This is Jerry and his favorite color is orange.”
Ella Emhoff has forged her own path as an artist, designer, and model, while staying true to herself. Whether through her work, her family, or her personal joys, Ella inspires others by embracing her individuality and values.
