Beryl Christie Harris, or Beryl Magdeline Finegan, was the grandmother of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. She was living in Jamaica and was a vital part of her family’s history. Although she is not well-known, her life is interesting and significant.
Quick Facts About Beryl Christie Harris
| Full Name | Beryl Magdeline Finegan |
| Birthdate | 1917 |
| Occupation | N/A |
| Husband | Oscar Joseph Harris |
| Education | N/A |
| Age at Death | Around 78 years old |
| Death Year | 1995 |
| Place of Death | Alexandria, Jamaica |
| Ethnicity | Afro-Jamaican |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Children | Donald Harris (Kamala Harris’s father) |
| Grandchildren | Kamala Harris, Maya Harris |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life
Beryl Magdeline Finegan was born in 1917 in Jamaica. She was an Afro-Jamaican. That is, she had her roots in Africa as well as in Jamaica. She came of age in an era when life wasn’t easy for everybody, particularly women. Despite all that, Beryl built a life filled with strength and care.
Marriage and Family
Beryl afterwards married Oscar Joseph Harris, another man who was residing in Jamaica. They bore a son who was named Donald J. Harris. He was born on the 23rd of August, 1938, in Brown’s Town, Jamaica. Donald would eventually go to the United States, earn a professor’s position, and become Kamala Harris’s father.
Oscar, the husband of Beryl, traces back to Hamilton Brown family. He owned a plantation in Jamaica way back in years. He also established Brown’s Town where Donald was born. This piece of history regarding this branch of the family has created some controversy, but this is their story.
Life in Jamaica
Beryl lived her life in Alexandria, Jamaica, where she brought up her son. She toiled hard to provide for her family. She instilled vital values such as education, respect, and hard work. These values remained strong in her family, particularly in her son Donald and later in Kamala.
Although Kamala Harris was raised in the United States, she never lost her Jamaican heritage. She has explained visiting Jamaica and seeing her grandmother. These visits enabled Kamala to learn about where her ancestors were from.
Death and Legacy
Beryl Christie Harris died in 1995. Kamala Harris was then 31 years old. Kamala has mentioned that she met her grandmother, which is consistent with this time frame. Some tried to claim that her grandmother passed away in the 1960s, but that is false.
There was confusion when a public figure, Candace Owens, stated that Kamala’s grandmother was a person named Beryl Christie who passed away in 1960. This was confusing. But it was later revealed that the Beryl Christie who passed away in 1960 was not the same person. Kamala’s actual grandmother, Beryl Magdeline Finegan Harris, lived many more years.
READ ALSO: Kamala Harris Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
A Strong Woman in History
Beryl might not be well-known, but she was a tough and caring woman. She raised a son who would do great things. Her son, Donald, became a professor in America. Her granddaughter, Kamala, became the first woman Vice President of America. That’s a strong legacy.
Beryl’s story is also about how family history makes us who we are. Although she lived in a small Jamaican town, her impact was widespread. Her values and dedication to family remained with those who knew her.
