Doug Emhoff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doug Emhoff
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Official portrait, 2022
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| Second Gentleman of the United States | |
| In role January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| Vice President | Kamala Harris |
| Preceded by | Karen Pence (as Second Lady) |
| Succeeded by | Usha Vance (as Second Lady) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Douglas Craig Emhoff
October 13, 1964 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2, including Ella |
| Education | California State University, Northridge (BA) University of Southern California (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Douglas Craig Emhoff (born October 13, 1964) is an American lawyer. He served as the Second Gentleman of the United States from 2021 to 2025. He is married to Kamala Harris, who was the 49th vice president of the United States. She was the first woman to hold this role.
Emhoff was the first man to be the Second Gentleman of the country. He was also the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president. Before his time as Second Gentleman, Emhoff worked as an entertainment lawyer. He is also a visiting professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
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Early life and education
Douglas Craig Emhoff was born on October 13, 1964. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York City. His parents, Michael and Barbara Emhoff, were Jewish. His family came to the United States around 1899. They moved from a place called Gorlice because of difficult times.
Emhoff has a brother named Andy and a sister named Jamie. From 1969 to 1981, he lived in Matawan and Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. He went to Cedar Ridge High School. His family attended Temple Shalom, a Jewish place of worship. Emhoff had his bar mitzvah there in 1977.
When he was 17, his family moved to Southern California. He finished high school at Agoura High School. Emhoff later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies in 1987. He then received a law degree from the USC Gould School of Law in 1990.
Career as a lawyer
Emhoff is a lawyer who works on cases involving media, entertainment, and intellectual property. This means he helps protect ideas and creations. He became a lawyer in California in 1990. He started his career working for different law firms.
In 2000, Emhoff started his own law firm. This firm later joined a larger company called Venable LLP in 2006. Emhoff became a leader for Venable's offices on the West Coast. He worked with big companies like Walmart and Merck.
In 2017, Emhoff joined another law firm called DLA Piper. He worked in their offices in Washington, D.C., and California. When his wife, Kamala Harris, became a candidate for Vice President, Emhoff took a break from his job. After the election, he left the firm permanently. This was to avoid any conflict of interest with his wife's new role.
In December 2020, Georgetown University Law Center announced that Emhoff would teach there. He became a special visitor and fellow at their Institute for Technology Law and Policy. In January 2025, after his wife left office, Emhoff joined another law firm, Willkie Farr & Gallagher. He now works in both Los Angeles and New York.
Second Gentleman of the United States (2021–2025)
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In August 2020, Kamala Harris was chosen to be Joe Biden's running mate. This made Emhoff the third man in U.S. history to be the spouse of a vice presidential candidate.
When Harris became Vice President, Emhoff became the first second gentleman of the United States. He was also the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president. People sometimes called him a "wife guy". This is a slang term for a man who is very supportive of his wife. Emhoff himself used this term on social media in 2020.
As Second Gentleman, Emhoff focused on making sure everyone had fair access to justice. He worked to help people get legal help when they needed it. He visited legal clinics and met with people who provide legal aid.
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In March 2021, Emhoff started teaching a law course at Georgetown University Law Center. He taught about "Entertainment Law Disputes." He said he had great respect for teachers. He learned that "teaching is really hard."
Emhoff also represented the U.S. at several international events. He led delegations to the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Tokyo. He also attended the inaugurations of leaders in South Korea and the Philippines. In July 2022, he went to Oregon for the opening of the 2022 World Athletics Championships. Emhoff was also part of the U.S. group at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He attended several events and the closing ceremony.
In June 2023, Emhoff met with a group of lawmakers called the Congressional Dads Caucus. They talked about programs that help families. The discussion focused on important topics like family leave and affordable childcare.
Combating antisemitism
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As the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, Emhoff became a key figure in the fight against antisemitism. Antisemitism is hatred or prejudice against Jewish people. In December 2022, the White House announced that Emhoff would lead a discussion on antisemitism.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January 2023, Emhoff visited the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. He went with Holocaust survivors. His visit honored the victims of the Holocaust and the survivors. He laid a wreath at the "Wall of Death" at the camp.
Emhoff was part of the White House team that launched the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. This was the country's first plan to fight antisemitism. It was launched on May 25, 2023.
During the Gaza war, Emhoff spoke about antisemitism in schools and on college campuses. He said that linking Jewish identity with the actions of the Israeli government had led to more hostility. He stated that when Jewish people are targeted because of their beliefs, it is antisemitism. He said this must be stopped. He supported the right to protest. However, he said that calls for harm against Jewish people are "completely unacceptable."
Personal life
Emhoff was married to film producer Kerstin Mackin from 1992 to 2008. They have two children, Cole and Ella. Emhoff and Mackin divorced amicably. They have remained friends.
In 2013, Emhoff met Kamala Harris on a blind date. At the time, she was the Attorney General of California. They got engaged in March 2014. They were married on August 22, 2014. Harris's younger sister, Maya, led their wedding ceremony.
Emhoff and Harris have homes in different cities. These include San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
See also
In Spanish: Douglas Emhoff para niños
