The former U.S. vice president is a devoted stepmother to two adult children, who have affectionately given her a special nickname that she wears “proudly.” Among her stepchildren, only one has ventured into the arts and has attended high-profile events.
When Kamala Harris married attorney Douglas Emhoff in August 2014, she became a stepmother to his son, Cole, born in September 1994, and Ella, born in May 1999. Her stepdaughter, Ella, is an accomplished knitter who has opened up about her journey with low self-esteem while pursuing her creative passions.
Kamala’s role as a stepmother comes with a cherished title, “Momala.” In a July 2024 interview, she shared, “It’s the name the kids gave me, and I wear it proudly.”
Kamala finds her greatest sense of peace when surrounded by her family, a sentiment echoed in her memoir “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey.” There, she described her stepchildren as “an endless source of love and pure joy” and expressed pride in watching them grow, signing off as their devoted “Momala.”
Her deep affection for her stepchildren—whose mother, film producer Kerstin Emhoff, was married to Douglas from 1992 to 2008—is evident in her public gestures.
When Ella celebrated her 20th birthday in May 2019, Kamala marked the occasion with a heartfelt post on X, sharing a photo of them at the beach. She wrote, “Happy birthday to our daughter, Ella. My heart is whole and my life is full with you in it. Love, Momala.
The attorney’s admiration for Ella shone again in May 2021 when she celebrated her stepdaughter’s graduation on X. “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,” she penned.
Her husband also shared his pride for Ella’s accomplishments, writing, “My darling Ella, we are such proud parents! We love you so much, and are very much looking forward to all you do in the future.”
A year later, Douglas paid tribute to Ella again in a heartfelt birthday post. Sharing a photo with his family, he wrote, “People come up to me all the time and ask if I’m Ella Emhoff’s dad. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy Birthday, Ella, we’re so incredibly proud of you.”
In 2021, Ella opened up about her parents’ approach to parenting in an interview. When the interviewer mentioned that Kamala had discovered her tattoo through Instagram, Ella admitted she didn’t always keep her parents informed about personal decisions. She also chose not to shave her armpits.
“When it comes to stuff like that, I think they all have conflicting ideas — and all of their ideas are like, ‘EL-LA.’ So I don’t tell them. And luckily Doug and Kamala don’t really see my Instagram,” she explained.
The public figure, who showed off her tattoos in a swimsuit, also shared how their parenting has shifted now that she and her brother are adults.
Ella described their style as supportive, “With hair and tattoos and things like that, I think they’re all in the realm of like, ‘I don’t understand it, but I want you to be who you want to be.'” She praised their teamwork for their approach, calling them “a three-person parenting squad” with strong communication and mutual understanding.
That same sense of support and resilience was put to the test following last year’s U.S. election, when Ella found herself at the center of unexpected public scrutiny. In late 2024, she publicly addressed false claims that she had been hospitalized for a mental health crisis following Kamala’s loss to Donald Trump in the presidential race.
Ella had to dismiss the rumors in a now-deleted Instagram Story, stating, “OK, I’m just gonna go out and say it. There’s a rumor about me having a mental breakdown and getting checked into a hospital. Not true.”
She even added a blunt response to those spreading the claims, “Also [expletive] you if you’re out there spreading that. There’s nothing wrong with showing emotion and crying. Anyone who says there is probably needs a good cry.”
Although she has previously spoken about her struggles with mental health, she affirmed that these experiences are part of her life and nothing to be ashamed of.
Additionally, her mother quickly came to her defense on X, calling the speculation “MAGA bs” and writing, “Leave my kids alone!!! Ella is doing great and spending a lovely day with her mom!”
Kerstin also highlighted their family’s resilience, stating that expressing emotions is a valuable trait for everyone. She affirmed that experiencing negative feelings is acceptable and declared that their family would remain united despite challenges.
The controversy followed an emotional moment in November, when Ella was seen in tears during Kamala’s concession speech at Howard University.
Reflecting on her stepmother’s presidential race loss, she later shared on Instagram, “Truly no words. We are all gonna get through this. It just [expletive] hurts like a [expletive] right now and that’s OK.” Then, she encouraged her followers to continue making a difference in their communities, writing, “The fight doesn’t stop now.”
Furthermore, in January 2025, Ella reflected on her time as the “Second Daughter” in an Instagram post. She shared that she was experiencing a wide range of emotions while looking back on the previous four years.
Grateful for the support she had received, Ella described that period as filled with both personal highs and lows. She also didn’t shy away from calling out those who had made the experience more difficult. Despite the hard times, she expressed pride in having embraced the role in her own way and thanked those who allowed her the space to do so.
Outside of her family life, Ella has pursued a thriving career as an artist and fashion designer. In 2024, Gotham New York highlighted her work on Instagram, announcing an exhibition featuring “never-before-seen pieces by the textile artist” and debuting her collection of one-of-a-kind knitwear.
In an interview, Ella reflected on her early connection to knitting, recalling that her mother taught her the skill when she was six years old at a Disneyland hotel. “Young Ella was a very crafty kid who just couldn’t sit still,” she divulged.
Knitting became a way to focus her energy and manage hyperactivity when she was younger. Over the years, the craft evolved into an outlet for stress relief and creativity, culminating in her decision to study fine arts and textiles at Parsons School of Design.
Ella Emhoff hosts the “Ella Emhoff Likes to Knit Pop-Up” on February 11, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Ella has ventured into modeling, a role she initially struggled to embrace. “All of my life, I had really low self-esteem and self-confidence, so this kind of felt like a way for me to take that back,” she explained.
Ella Emhoff pictured outside Proenza Schouler on September 9, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Ella embraces her individuality in the modeling world, noting that her tattoos and body hair set her apart from the traditional image of a model. On the runway, she finds her calm by entering a focused “Zen state,” joking that she mainly avoids making eye contact with Anna Wintour.
Ella Emhoff walks the runway at the Coach fashion show on September 9, 2024, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Ella reached new heights in the fashion world when she attended the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The following year, her influence was solidified when Harper’s Bazaar honored her as Icon of the Year.
Ella Emhoff attends the Met Gala on September 13, 2021, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
While Ella’s career milestones have brought her significant recognition, she has also sought guidance on navigating personal challenges. When asked about the best advice she’s ever received, Ella shared that her therapist’s advice, “Compare and despair,” reminded her to focus on herself rather than measuring her worth against others, as comparisons only lead to emptiness.
Ella Emhoff and an unidentified woman at the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images
Ella’s private life has also captured public attention. She confirmed her relationship with GQ writer Sam Hine in 2021 during an interview. Known for attending fashion events together, Ella described their ideal date as experimenting with quirky market finds.
Sam Hine and Ella Emhoff attend the Thom Browne Fall runway show on April 29, 2022, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Sam admired her authenticity and individuality, calling her “a true individual” and praising her refusal to conform to traditional modeling norms.
Sam Hine and Ella Emhoff attend qualifying round ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco on May 28, 2022, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. | Source: Getty Images
The couple emphasized the importance of honest communication in their relationship, with Ella noting, “In a relationship, you’re sharing a life.” Despite their bond, they ended their relationship in the summer of 2023.
Sam Hine and Ella Emhoff attend Opening Ceremony’s 20th anniversary event on September 8, 2022, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Outside of her public life and past relationship, Ella shares glimpses of her personal joys, including her beloved dog. In February 2024, she introduced him to her Instagram followers with a playful post featuring his photo and wrote, “This is Jerry and his favorite color is orange.”
Ella Emhoff has carved a unique path as an artist, model, and designer, all while staying true to her individuality and values. Whether through her creativity, family connections, or personal joys, she continues to inspire by embracing authenticity in every aspect of her life.
