Kamala Harris’ Stepdaughter, Who Makes a Living by Knitting and Struggled with Low Self-Esteem, Showed Her Tattoos in a Two-Piece — Her Story
The 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.
Outside 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.
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 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 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.
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’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.
Meanwhile, Sam admired her authenticity and individuality, calling her “a true individual” and praising her refusal to conform to traditional modeling norms.
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.
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.