The Emhoff Children: 5 Surprising Facts About Cole And Ella, The Second Gentleman's Creative Kids

Contents
As of December 2025, the children of former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Cole and Ella Emhoff, continue to carve out unique and influential paths in the entertainment and fashion industries, moving beyond the political spotlight that illuminated their lives for four years. This dynamic duo has captured public attention not just for their connection to Vice President Kamala Harris, whom they affectionately call "Momala," but for their own distinct creative endeavors and their role in normalizing the modern American blended family. The story of Cole and Ella is one of creativity, close family ties, and a seamless transition between Hollywood, the White House, and the high-fashion world. They represent a new generation of political family members who are fiercely independent while remaining deeply supportive of their father and stepmother.

Complete Biography and Profile: Cole and Ella Emhoff

Doug Emhoff has two children from his first marriage to film producer Kerstin Emhoff (née Mackin). Their names, Cole and Ella, are a tribute to two giants of jazz music: John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald.
  • Full Name (Son): Cole Mackin Emhoff
  • Date of Birth (Approximate): September 15, 1994 (making him approximately 31 as of late 2025)
  • Education: Colorado College, graduated in 2017 with a degree in Psychology.
  • Current Profession: Works in the entertainment and media industry in Los Angeles, California. He has been described as an executive assistant and is involved in various media projects.
  • Relationship with Stepmother: Calls Kamala Harris "Momala."
  • Full Name (Daughter): Ella Rose Emhoff
  • Date of Birth: May 29, 1999 (making her 26 as of late 2025)
  • Education: Parsons School of Design, graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Apparel and Textiles.
  • Current Profession: Highly successful model, artist, and fashion designer. She is known for her distinctive, avant-garde style and knitwear designs.
  • Relationship with Stepmother: Calls Kamala Harris "Momala."

The Blended Family Dynamic: A Modern Blueprint for "Momala"

The relationship between Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris, his ex-wife Kerstin Emhoff, and their two children is often cited as a model for a successful modern blended family. The key to this dynamic is mutual respect and a genuine friendship between the former and current spouses. Kamala Harris married Doug Emhoff in 2014 and quickly formed a strong, nurturing bond with Cole and Ella. The children coined the term "Momala" for their stepmother, a title that signifies love and respect without replacing their biological mother. Kerstin Emhoff, a highly successful film producer, has publicly expressed her love for the blended family, calling Kamala Harris "loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present." This rare public unity among high-profile figures offers a powerful, positive example of co-parenting.

Kerstin Emhoff’s Powerful Career

Kerstin Emhoff’s professional life adds another layer of influence to the family. She is the co-founder and CEO of Prettybird, a highly respected commercial production company. She also co-founded the creative studio Ventureland. Her work in the media industry, which includes producing music videos and commercials for major brands, means both she and her ex-husband, Doug Emhoff, come from powerful professional backgrounds outside of politics.

Ella Emhoff's Meteoric Rise in High Fashion and Art

Ella Emhoff’s career trajectory since her appearance at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration has been nothing short of explosive. Her unique, self-designed look at the event, featuring a Miu Miu coat, immediately cemented her status as a fashion icon and a "First Daughter of Bushwick," referencing her Brooklyn-based, artistic sensibility. The attention led to a major modeling contract with IMG Models. Since then, her career has been marked by a commitment to authenticity and a challenge to traditional fashion norms.

Recent Projects and Collaborations (2025 Update)

In the most recent fashion cycles, Ella has maintained her high-profile presence. She walked the runway for the Coach Spring/Summer 2025 collection, a clear indicator of her continued relevance in the luxury fashion world. Her personal design work focuses on combining traditional textile techniques—particularly knitwear—with contemporary still life and portraiture. She has also engaged in various brand collaborations that align with her artistic vision, including a custom boot customization event with UGG, demonstrating her ability to bridge high fashion with accessible, creative projects. Ella’s success is a testament to her unique style and her refusal to be defined solely by her political connections.

Cole Emhoff: The Quiet Force in Entertainment

While Ella’s career has been more public, Cole Emhoff has established his own successful career behind the scenes in the entertainment world in Los Angeles. Cole graduated from Colorado College in 2017 with a degree in Psychology, a background that likely aids him in the high-pressure, people-focused atmosphere of the media industry. His professional focus is in the media and entertainment sector, where he works as an executive assistant, giving him a front-row seat to the creative and business operations of the industry. Cole is often described by friends and family as easygoing and passionate about his interests, a personality trait that has allowed him to navigate the sudden public scrutiny with grace. His decision to pursue a career in media aligns perfectly with his mother Kerstin’s film production background and his father Doug’s previous career as an entertainment lawyer.

Intriguing Details Revealed in the Political Spotlight

Despite their private lives, Cole and Ella were thrust into the national spotlight when their father, Doug Emhoff, became the first-ever Second Gentleman of the United States. This came with a few unique and fascinating details that only a political family experiences.

Named After Jazz Legends

One of the most charming facts about the Emhoff children is the inspiration behind their names. Cole was named after the legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, and Ella was named after the iconic vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. This nod to the arts reflects a deep cultural appreciation within the family.

Secret Service Code Names

In her memoir, *107 Days*, Vice President Kamala Harris revealed a private detail about her stepchildren: their Secret Service code names. While the actual names are a closely guarded secret, Harris noted that Cole and Ella were given the unique opportunity to choose their own code names, a rare privilege that speaks to their integral role in the family unit and the trust placed in them.

The "First Children" of the Second Gentleman

Cole and Ella Emhoff are historical figures in their own right. They are the first adult children of a Second Gentleman, a title that was created when their father took office. This unique position meant they were constantly in the public eye, supporting their father and stepmother at key events while maintaining their professional independence. Their presence helped to humanize the political landscape, showcasing a modern, functional, and loving family structure to the world. Their story is a powerful example of how deep family bonds can thrive even under the immense pressure of public office.
doug emhoff children
doug emhoff children

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