Doug Emhoff admits to cheating in first marriage

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff made a heartfelt admission on Saturday, revealing that he had an extramarital affair during his first marriage. The news came to light after a report in a British tabloid shed light on the relationship, which took place before he met and married Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

The affair involved a teacher at his children’s school and reportedly took place several years before Emhoff tied the knot with Harris. According to The Daily Mail, the teacher became pregnant in 2009, but did not carry the pregnancy to term. However, CBS News has chosen not to disclose the woman’s identity.

Multiple sources, who were close to the woman during her relationship with Emhoff, shared with CBS News that the pregnancy ended in a tragic miscarriage. These sources, including one familiar with the relationship, confirmed that Emhoff was legally separated from his first wife, Kerstin Emhoff, at the time of the affair.

Contrary to some reports, the woman in question was not a nanny for the Emhoff children. She was, in fact, a teacher at their school, although she was not teaching either of Emhoff’s children when the relationship occurred.

In a statement provided to CBS News, Emhoff acknowledged that his actions had caused difficulties in his first marriage. “During my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through some tough times on account of my actions,” Emhoff said. “I took responsibility, and in the years since, we worked through things as a family and have come out stronger on the other side.”

Before assuming his current role as second gentleman, Emhoff worked as an entertainment lawyer. He shares two adult children, Ella and Cole, with his ex-wife, Kerstin.

In a separate statement released on Saturday, Kerstin Emhoff shared, “Doug and I decided to end our marriage for a variety of reasons, many years ago. He is a great father to our kids, continues to be a great friend to me and I am really proud of the warm and supportive blended family Doug, Kamala, and I have built together.”

Court records indicate that Kerstin filed for divorce in 2009, and the divorce was finalized in late 2010.

Speculation arose about whether the Harris campaign had any knowledge of the affair before Emhoff and Harris tied the knot. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to CBS News that Harris was aware of the affair prior to their marriage, and it was also disclosed during the vetting process for the vice presidential candidate in 2020.

Harris and Emhoff met in 2013 and got married in 2014. Although they don’t have children together, Emhoff’s adult children refer to Harris as “Mamala.” Their close relationship has been well-documented, with Harris even officiating Cole’s wedding last year.

The intricate dynamics of their blended family and the shared journey they have undergone underscore the strength and resilience they possess. Despite the challenges they faced in the past, Emhoff and Harris have been open about their past experiences and continue to stand united as a couple in the public eye.