Karine Jean-Pierre is a French-born American political advisor and author who made history as the first Black and openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as White House Press Secretary. She held this role from May 13, 2022, until January 20, 2025, under President Joe Biden. Prior to that, she served as Principal Deputy Press Secretary and held various senior roles in both the Biden and Obama administrations. Jean-Pierre was also the Chief of Staff for Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris during the 2020 campaign and worked as a senior advisor and national spokesperson for MoveOn.org. She has been a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC and a lecturer at Columbia University.
In June 2025, Jean-Pierre announced her departure from the Democratic Party, registering as an Independent. This decision coincided with the announcement of her upcoming memoir, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines, set to be published on October 21, 2025. In the book, she offers an insider’s perspective on the internal dynamics of the Biden administration, particularly focusing on the events leading up to President Biden’s decision not to seek re-election in 2024. Jean-Pierre describes a sense of betrayal by the Democratic Party and advocates for moving beyond rigid party affiliations to address national challenges more effectively.
Since leaving the White House, Jean-Pierre has maintained a relatively low public profile, focusing on personal wellness and family time. She has expressed that she does not miss her former role and is currently enjoying life outside the political spotlight.
Jean-Pierre was born on August 13, 1974, in Fort-de-France, Martinique, to Haitian immigrant parents. Her family moved to New York when she was five years old. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the New York Institute of Technology and a Master of Public Affairs from Columbia University. She is fluent in English, French, and Haitian Creole.
In her personal life, Jean-Pierre was previously in a relationship with former CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, with whom she shares an adopted daughter. The couple separated in September 2023 but continue to co-parent their child.
Jean-Pierre’s career reflects a commitment to public service and a willingness to challenge established political norms, as evidenced by her recent shift to political independence and her forthcoming memoir.
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