Nikki Haley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nikki Haley
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2017
|
|
| 29th United States Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| In office January 27, 2017 – December 31, 2018 |
|
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy |
|
| Preceded by | Samantha Power |
| Succeeded by | Kelly Craft |
| 116th Governor of South Carolina | |
| In office January 12, 2011 – January 24, 2017 |
|
| Lieutenant |
|
| Preceded by | Mark Sanford |
| Succeeded by | Henry McMaster |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 87th district |
|
| In office January 11, 2005 – January 11, 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Larry Koon |
| Succeeded by | Todd Atwater |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Nimarata Nikki Randhawa
January 20, 1972 Bamberg, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Michael Haley
(m. 1996) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Clemson University (BS) |
| Occupation |
|
| Signature |  |
Nikki Haley (born January 20, 1972) is an American politician and diplomat. A politician is someone who works in government. A diplomat helps countries talk to each other. Haley was the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. She also served as the 29th U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. This means she represented the United States at the United Nations. She was a member of the Republican Party.
Haley was born in Bamberg, South Carolina. She studied accounting at Clemson University. Before becoming a politician, she worked in her family's clothing business. She also led a group for women business owners.
In 2004, Haley was first elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. She served three terms there. In 2010, she was elected governor of South Carolina. She was re-elected in 2014. She was the first female governor of South Carolina. She was also the second governor of Indian descent in the U.S.
Haley left her job as governor in 2017. She became the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She worked in this role until December 2018. In 2023, she announced she would run for President of the United States. She stopped her campaign in March 2024.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Nikki Haley was born Nimarata Nikki Randhawa on January 20, 1972. She was born in Bamberg, South Carolina. Her parents, Ajit Singh Randhawa and Raj Kaur Randhawa, came to the United States from India. Her father was a professor. Her mother had a law degree.
Haley's parents first moved from India to Canada. Her father got a scholarship there. In 1969, her father moved the family to South Carolina. He became a biology professor at Voorhees College. This is a historically black college.
Her mother, Raj Randhawa, was a teacher. She taught in Bamberg public schools for seven years. In 1976, she opened a women's clothing store called Exotica International. The store closed in 2008 when she retired.
When Haley was 12, she helped with the bookkeeping at her mother's store. In 1989, she finished high school. She then went to Clemson University. She graduated in 1994 with a degree in accounting.
Early Career and Community Work
After college, Haley worked for a recycling company. Then, she joined her family's clothing business. She managed the finances for the store.
She married Michael Haley in 1996. She became involved in her community. She joined the board of directors for the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce in 1998. She also joined the Lexington Chamber of Commerce in 2003. Haley became the treasurer of the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2003. She became its president in 2004.
Haley also helped raise money for a local hospital. She served on several foundations. She was also president of the South Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Serving in the South Carolina House
Haley was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2004. She served there from 2005 to 2011. In 2005, she became the chair of the new members' group. She also became a majority whip. This means she helped make sure members of her party voted together.
Haley wanted to lower taxes. She voted against a tax on cigarettes. She voted for a bill that raised sales taxes. But this bill made some food tax-free. It also made some homes tax-free.
She supported a plan for teacher salaries. This plan would base pay on how well teachers performed. It would not just be based on how long they had worked. She also supported school choice and charter schools.
Haley believed that lawmakers should not get pensions while in office. A pension is money paid regularly after retirement. She thought pensions should be based only on their salary.
Haley also supported strong immigration laws. She voted for a law that required employers to check if new workers were legal residents. It also required immigrants to carry documents. She signed a similar state law in 2011. However, parts of this law were later blocked by courts.
Governor of South Carolina
Haley became governor of South Carolina in January 2011. She was the first woman to hold this job. In 2012, she was considered as a possible running mate for presidential candidate Mitt Romney. But Haley said she would not accept the offer.
During her time as governor, Haley worked to bring businesses to South Carolina. She often talked about the state's economic growth. She said businesses should move there because of low costs. She also mentioned the state's "loyal, willing workforce."
In 2016, Haley gave the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address. This is a speech given after the president's yearly address. That same year, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people.
Haley resigned as governor on January 24, 2017. She left to become the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Governor's Policies
As governor, Haley appointed Bobby Hitt as the state's secretary of commerce. This person helps with business and trade.
Haley supported laws that require voters to show a photo ID.
.jpg)
Haley has been a strong supporter of Israel. As governor, she signed a law against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This movement tries to pressure Israel. Her law was the first of its kind in a state.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Haley served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018. This is a very important role. She represented the U.S. in global discussions.
During her time, she strongly supported Israel. She also defended the Trump administration's decision to leave the Iran nuclear deal. This deal was about preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. She also led the U.S. to leave the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Haley resigned from her role as ambassador on October 9, 2018. Her last day was December 31, 2018. Kelly Craft took over her position.
After the United Nations
After leaving the UN, Haley started a group called Stand for America in 2019. This group works to support certain ideas in politics.
In February 2019, Haley joined the board of directors for Boeing. Boeing is a large airplane company. She had supported Boeing in South Carolina when she was governor. She left Boeing's board in March 2020. She disagreed with the company asking for government money during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October 2021, Haley was chosen to join the Clemson University Board of Trustees. This is a group that helps manage the university.
Presidential Campaign
In July 2022, Haley hinted that she might run for president. She spoke at a conference and said she would "shred" a new Iran nuclear deal.
On February 14, 2023, Haley officially announced she was running for president. She was the second major Republican candidate to enter the race. Donald Trump had announced his campaign earlier.
Haley's campaign was historic. She was the fifth woman to run for the Republican presidential nomination. She was also the first woman of color to do so.
She received support from some important people in the party. This included the governor of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu. She also got support from a group called Americans for Prosperity Action.
Haley faced challenges against Donald Trump. In January 2024, she finished third in the Iowa caucuses. She then won the Republican primary in the District of Columbia. She also won the primary in Vermont.
However, after losing in many states on Super Tuesday, Haley stopped her campaign. She announced this on March 6, 2024.
Post-Campaign Activities
On April 15, 2024, it was announced that Haley would join the Hudson Institute. This is a research group that studies public policy. She will be the Walter P. Stern Chair there.
In September 2024, Haley joined Edelman. This is a global communications company. She became the vice chair of their international public affairs team.
Personal Life
In September 1996, Nikki Randhawa married Michael Haley. They had two wedding ceremonies. One was a Sikh ceremony, and the other was a Methodist ceremony. They have two children, a daughter and a son.
Haley became a Christian in 1997. She and her husband go to the United Methodist Church. She also visits Sikh services a few times a year. In 2014, she visited the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in India with her husband.
Haley practices taekwondo. She earned her 4th-degree black belt in 2013.
Her husband, Michael, is an officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He served in Afghanistan in 2013.
Haley and her family live in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. This is near the city of Charleston.
Books Written by Nikki Haley
- Can't Is Not an Option: My American Story (2012)
- With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace (2019)
- A Better Blueprint for International Organizations: Advancing American Interests on the Global Stage (2021)
- If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons from Bold Women (2022)
Awards and Honors
Haley has received many awards and honors.
- She was inducted into the Order of the Palmetto in 2010. This is the highest civilian honor in South Carolina.
- She has two honorary degrees. These are special degrees given to people for their achievements.
- A Doctorate of Humanities from Clemson University (2018).
- A Doctorate of Public Service from the University of South Carolina (2015).
- She has received awards from many organizations. These include:
- India Abroad
- the International Republican Institute
- Christians United for Israel
- the Foundation for Defense of Democracies
- the Hudson Institute
- the Independent Women's Forum
- UN Watch
- the Simon Wiesenthal Center
- the American Enterprise Institute
- the World Jewish Congress
See also
In Spanish: Nikki Haley para niños
