If the Democrats win the upcoming US elections, they would kill two birds with one stone, as for the first time in history, the country would not only have a female president but also a first gentleman. This is Douglas Emhoff (60), a prestigious lawyer who, with three decades of career in some of the most prestigious law firms, decided to retire in 2020 to avoid conflicts of interest with his wife, Kamala Harris (60).
The couple met on a blind date in 2013 organized by a mutual friend who gave her the following advice: "His name is Doug Emhoff, but promise me you won't Google him. Don't overthink it. Just meet him, I've already given him your number. He will pick you up." Obviously, Kamala didn't listen and searched for information on the internet. That first meeting went so well that two months later, the then state attorney general met the lawyer's two children, Cole (30) and Ella (25), named in honor of John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald. They affectionately call her "momala," a play on words with her name and the Yiddish term 'mamaleh'.
The siblings are from a previous marriage of Emhoff with Kerstin Emhoff (57), a producer who gets along wonderfully with the potential president. Not in vain, since 2019 she has been assisting Kamala on her path to the White House. The Emhoffs separated in 2008, but maintain a strong friendship. Last October, Kamala's husband confessed exclusively to CNN about an infidelity: "During my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through difficult times due to my actions. I took responsibility and in the following years, we have overcome things as a family and come out stronger."
Kamala and Douglas got married on August 22, 2014, in a small ceremony officiated by the bride's younger sister, Maya. It was her first marriage. As the couple spent more time in Washington after Harris was elected senator for California, in early 2020, Douglas started teaching law classes at the Georgetown University Law Center.
As a lawyer, Douglas Emhoff has always been concerned about justice and equality in the American legal system. He is a staunch advocate for access to legal assistance and the removal of barriers legal, social, and financial to ensure that all people can get the help they need in the judicial system. Additionally, he has committed to raising awareness about mental health and loneliness by collaborating with specialists and promoting programs that help destigmatize these issues. With his commitment and activism, he is reminding all Americans, regardless of age, gender, or background, that it is okay to talk about and address mental health issues openly and without stigma, including substance use disorders.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, of Jewish descent, he has two brothers, Jamie and Andy. The whole family moved to California where Douglas graduated in law and obtained a juris doctor degree. After working in several law firms, in 2000 he opened his own firm with Ben Whitwell. Due to his roots, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he revealed that after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, he "felt absolute pain and shock (...)" so he would focus on "fighting against hatred, antisemitism, and Islamophobia."
When not campaigning or teaching, he loves to unwind by playing golf and listening to Nirvana. He is also an excellent cook who prepares his wife's favorite dishes.