Kamala Harris’ Stepdaughter, Who Makes a Living by Knitting and Struggled with Low Self-Esteem, Showed Her Tattoos in a Two-Piece — Her Story

Kamala Harris is married to attorney Douglas Emhoff, who has a son and daughter from his first marriage. Her stepdaughter, an accomplished knitter, has opened up about her journey with low self-esteem while pursuing her creative passions.

Kamala and Douglas, who tied the knot in August 2014, have been happily married for over a decade. While this marks Kamala’s first marriage, it is Douglas’s second.

His first marriage to film producer Kerstin Emhoff lasted from 1992 to 2008, during which they welcomed two children—Cole, born in September 1994, and Ella, in May 1999.

Kamala’s role as a stepmother comes with a cherished title bestowed by Cole and Ella. In a July 2024 interview, she shared, “It’s the name the kids gave me, and I wear it proudly.” That title, “Momala,” has become one of her most meaningful identities.

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.”

Kamala’s deep affection for her stepchildren shines through in her public and personal gestures. When Ella celebrated her 20th birthday in May 2021, she honored the occasion with a heartfelt post on X. Sharing a touching photo of the two 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.”

Kamala’s admiration for Ella shone again in May 2021 when she celebrated her stepdaughter’s graduation on the platform. “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.

Kamala wasn’t the only one celebrating Ella’s graduation. Douglas also shared his pride for Ella’s graduation with a heartfelt post and photo. “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,” he wrote.

A year later, Douglas expressed his pride once again in a touching birthday tribute to Ella. 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.”

Now 25, 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 doesn’t always keep her parents informed about personal decisions.

“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.

She 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.'” Ella praised their teamwork, calling them “a three-person parenting squad” with strong communication and mutual understanding.

Ella has channeled her creativity into 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, available exclusively at Gotham.

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. 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’s presence in the fashion world reached new heights 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.

When asked about the best advice she’s ever received, Ella shared that her therapist’s advice, “Compare and despair,” reminds her to focus on herself rather than measuring her worth against others, as comparisons only lead to emptiness.

Ella’s personal life also drew attention when she confirmed her relationship with GQ writer Sam Hine in 2021 during an interview. Known for attending fashion events together, she described their ideal date as experimenting with quirky market finds.

Meanwhile, Hine 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, Jerry.

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.