Shyamala Gopalan Harris was a tough woman with a large heart and a quick mind. She was not only the mother of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, but also a scientist and a civil rights activist. Her life is an inspiration and demonstrates the strength of courage, love, and hard work.
Quick Facts About Shyamala Harris
| Full Name | Shyamala Gopalan Harris |
| Birthdate | December 7, 1938 |
| Age at Death
Height |
70 years old
1.52 m |
| Date of Death | February 11, 2009 |
| Occupation | Biomedical Scientist, Breast Cancer Researcher |
| Husband | Donald J. Harris (divorced in 1971) |
| Children | Daughters: Kamala Harris, Maya Harris |
| Education | University of Delhi (B.Sc.), UC Berkeley (Ph.D. in Nutrition & Endocrinology) |
| Parents | P.V. Gopalan (father), Rajam Gopalan (mother) |
| Siblings | Balachandran, Sarala, Mahalakshmi |
| Nationality | Indian-American |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
Early Life in India
Shyamala was born on December 7, 1938, in Madras, India. Nowadays, the city is known as Chennai. She lived in a Tamil Brahmin family with three younger siblings. Her father, P.V. Gopalan, was a civil servant. Her mother, Rajam Gopalan, was a homemaker.
Shyamala was the eldest child of the family. She was a very curious girl from a young age and wanted to learn everything. Her parents were also firm believers in education and encouraged her ambitions.
Moving to America
Shyamala made a daring decision at the age of 19. She went to the United States to pursue higher studies. She went to California in 1960 to study at the University of California, Berkeley. She wished to get a Ph.D. in endocrinology and nutrition. Endocrinology is the study of how food and hormones influence the body.
Most people were surprised by this choice. Traveling this far for school was not usual for young women in her society. Shyamala, however, listened to her heart.
Dating Donald J. Harris
Shyamala dated Donald J. Harris while attending Berkeley. Donald was a Jamaican student who was pursuing economics. Donald and Shyamala were close and married in 1963. They produced two daughters—Kamala, born in 1964, and Maya, born in 1967.
The couple then divorced in 1971. Shyamala then raised her daughters alone as a single mother in California.
Her Scientist Work
Shyamala was an exceptional scientist. She devoted her entire life to the study of breast cancer and hormones. Her scientist work enabled other scientists to understand how breast tissue responds to hormones such as progesterone. She worked in numerous renowned locations, including:
- UC Berkeley
- University of Illinois
- University of Wisconsin
- McGill University in Canada
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Her work was held in esteem globally. She was also a peer reviewer at the National Institutes of Health and a member of the President’s Special Commission on Breast Cancer.
Life as a Mother
Despite having a hectic professional life, Shyamala never neglected her daughters. She brought up Kamala and Maya with good values. She encouraged them to voice their opinions, stand up for justice, and have faith in themselves. She also ensured they remained close to their heritage. The family regularly visited relatives in India and Jamaica.
Shyamala was proud of her heritage and wanted her children to know where they came from. She demonstrated to them that being different is strength.
Her Last Years
During her last ten years, Shyamala continued working in science. Unfortunately, she died in 2009 of colon cancer. She was 70 years old and lived in Oakland, California, at the time.
Although she is not here, she lives on—particularly in the lives of Kamala and Maya.
READ ALSO: Kamala Harris Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
A Legacy That Endures
Shyamala lived a big life. She shattered rules and busted doors. She was an accomplished scientist, devoted mother, and powerful voice against civil rights struggle.
Kamala Harris has repeatedly stated that her mother was the biggest influence on her life. She wrote in her book The Truths We Hold that her mother was “the star” of her life.
Shyamala Gopalan Harris proved to the world what a clever, courageous, and compassionate woman is capable of. She continues to motivate individuals all around the world.
