Maya Lakshmi Harris is the younger sister of Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States. But Maya is more than that. She is a tough woman who has toiled all her life. She is a lawyer, a writer, and a voice for justice. This article will assist you in learning more about Maya, her work, and her family.
Quick Facts About Maya Lakshmi Harris
| Full Name | Maya Lakshmi Harris |
| Birthdate | January 30, 1967 |
| Age | 58 years and 2 months old |
| Occupation | Lawyer, Public Policy Advocate, Political Strategist, Writer |
| Husband | Tony West (married in 1998) |
| Education | B.A. from University of California, Berkeley; J.D. from Stanford Law School |
| Parents | Shyamala Gopalan Harris (mother), Donald Harris (father) |
| Siblings | Kamala Harris (older sister) |
| Children | Meena Harris (daughter) |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $2 million (approx.) |
Early Life and Family
Maya was born on 30th January 1967 in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Her father and mother were Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Harris.
Shyamala was born in India. She was a scientist as well as an activist who worked for civil rights. Donald was from Jamaica and is an economics professor. He was also a member of the civil rights movement.
When Maya was a child, her parents divorced. She and her sister Kamala were raised by their mother for the most part after that.
Education
Maya was an intelligent and inquiring student. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989. She then attended Stanford Law School.
She did very well there. She received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree with distinction in 1992. That is, she was among the best students. She also worked on law projects during her time at Stanford.
Career and Work
Maya has dedicated her life to fighting for justice. She wants people to be treated fairly regardless of their background. Her work is centered on civil rights, racial justice, and gender equality.
Some of the key works she has undertaken are:
- Executive Director at the ACLU of Northern California
- Vice President for Democracy, Rights, and Justice at the Ford Foundation
- Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress
- Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School
Maya is also a political strategist. She assisted in major political campaigns and authored policies that assist people.
Role in Politics
Maya has assisted her sister Kamala Harris right from the start. She backed Kamala in her first campaign for San Francisco District Attorney in 2003. Ever since, she has been a behind-the-scenes worker in most of Kamala’s campaigns.
She was also a high-level advisor to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Later, she was the chair of Kamala’s 2020 presidential campaign. Maya helped write policy agendas and assist her sister with reaching voters.
She made a strong speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2024, demonstrating her unwavering support for Kamala.
Family Life
Maya became pregnant at a very young age. She gave birth to her daughter, Meena Harris, when she was 17 years old. Meena is a lawyer, author of children’s books, and founder of the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign.
In 1998, Maya wed Tony West, a lawyer who is currently the Chief Legal Officer at Uber. They are grandparents to Meena’s two daughters, Amara and Leela.
READ ALSO: Kamala Harris Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
Public Voice and Influence
Maya publicly comments on causes that she believes in. She utilizes social media to post comments on justice and equality. She also shows up at public events to show support for her sister Kamala.
Lots of individuals look up to Maya due to her courage, wisdom, and serenity. She has tried her best at both law and politics. And despite all of that, she remained close to her family.
