Nikki Haley Profile

Who is Nikki Haley?

She is an American politician and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018. She is also the former Governor of South Carolina, having held that office from 2011 to 2017. Haley is a member of the Republican Party and is known for her conservative views on issues such as taxes, healthcare, and immigration. She just announced that she is running for the US Presidential Election in 2024.

Early Life and Education

Haley was born Nimrata Randhawa on January 20, 1972, in Bamberg, South Carolina. Her parents were both immigrants from India, and Haley was raised in a Sikh household. She graduated from Orangeburg Preparatory Schools in Orangeburg, South Carolina, in 1990, and went on to earn a degree in accounting from Clemson University in 1994.

Political Career

Haley’s political career began in 2004 when she was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives from Lexington County. She was re-elected to the House in 2006 and 2008, and in 2010, she ran for Governor of South Carolina. Haley won the Republican primary, defeating three-term incumbent Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, and went on to win the general election, becoming the first woman to serve as Governor of South Carolina.

During her time as Governor, Haley focused on issues such as economic development, education, and healthcare. She also signed a controversial bill that removed the Confederate flag from the South Carolina State House grounds in the wake of the Charleston church shooting in 2015.

In 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Haley to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and she was confirmed by the Senate in a 96-4 vote. As Ambassador, Haley was known for her strong stance against countries such as North Korea and Iran, and for her defense of Israel.

Nikki’s Personal Life: Family

Parents:

Nikki Haley’s parents are immigrants from the Punjab region of India. Here are some key details about them:

Ajit Singh Randhawa: Nikki Haley’s father, Ajit Singh Randhawa, was born in Amritsar, India in 1929. He served in the Indian Army and later worked as a professor of agriculture at Punjab Agricultural University. In 1969, he immigrated to the United States with his wife and children, settling in Bamberg, South Carolina. In the United States, Randhawa worked as a biology professor at Voorhees College and as a researcher at Clemson University.
Raj Kaur Randhawa: Nikki Haley’s mother, Raj Kaur Randhawa, was born in Punjab, India in 1931. She married Ajit Singh Randhawa in 1956 and accompanied him to the United States in 1969. In the United States, she worked as a teacher’s aide at an elementary school in Bamberg.

Nikki Haley has credited her parents with instilling in her the values of hard work, education, and public service. She has often spoken about her parents’ struggles as immigrants in the United States and has said that their experiences have motivated her to work for the American Dream for all. In her memoir, “Can’t Is Not an Option,” Haley writes about her parents’ sacrifices and the impact they had on her life.

Husband:

Michael Haley was born on December 27, 1972 in the United States. Haley’s father, an immigrant from India, served in the US Army and inspired Haley’s interest in military service. In 1994, Haley graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in accounting. Haley met Nikki Randhawa (later Nikki Haley) in 1994 and the couple married in 1996. Haley joined the South Carolina Army National Guard in 2006 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the signal corps. In 2013, Haley deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as an agriculture and business development team leader.

Children:

Nikki Haley and Michael Haley have two children, a son and a daughter. Here are some key details about their kids:

Rena Haley: Rena was born in 1999, making her currently 23 years old. She is the oldest child of Nikki and Michael Haley. Rena is a graduate of Clemson University, where she earned a degree in marketing in 2021. During her time at Clemson, Rena was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority and was involved in various campus activities. Rena has also been active in her mother’s political campaigns, speaking at rallies and events.
Nalin Haley: Nalin was born in 2002, making him currently 20 years old. He is the younger child of Nikki and Michael Haley. Nalin is currently a student at Clemson University, where he is studying computer engineering. Like his sister, Nalin has been involved in his mother’s political campaigns and has been seen speaking at events and rallies.

The Haley children have largely stayed out of the public eye, with Nikki and Michael Haley working to protect their privacy. However, they have occasionally made public appearances with their parents and have been praised for their poise and maturity.

Mrs. Nikki Haley – American Politician and Diplomat

Early Career and Political Rise

2004: Nikki Haley was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing the 87th district.
She was re-elected to the House in 2006 and 2008, and in 2010, she ran for Governor of South Carolina.
2010: Haley ran for governor of South Carolina, receiving the endorsement of Sarah Palin and other conservative leaders. She won the Republican primary in a runoff and went on to win the general election, becoming the first woman and the first person of Indian American descent to be elected governor of South Carolina.
2011: Haley’s first year as governor was marked by several controversial moves, including the firing of the director of the state’s Department of Employment and Workforce and the signing of a bill that required voters to show photo identification at the polls.

National Profile and Presidential Politics

2012: Haley gained national attention when she was selected to give the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address. She used the opportunity to criticize the president and promote her own conservative views.
2016: Haley endorsed Marco Rubio for president during the Republican primaries but later supported Donald Trump after he became the party’s nominee. After Trump’s election, Haley was named as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, a position she held from 2017 to 2018.
2018: Haley resigned as ambassador to the United Nations, citing a desire to take a break from public service. She remained popular among Republicans and was rumored to be a potential candidate for president in 2024.

Post-Ambassadorship Career and Current Status

2019: Haley published a memoir, “With All Due Respect,” in which she criticized some members of the Trump administration and described her experiences as ambassador to the United Nations.
2020: Haley endorsed Trump’s re-election bid and spoke at the Republican National Convention in support of his candidacy. She continued to be seen as a potential presidential candidate in her own right.
2021: Haley founded Stand for America, a political action committee that seeks to promote conservative policies and candidates. She has been active in Republican politics and has continued to speak out on national issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic, immigration, and the state of the economy.
2022: Nikki Haley has removed a tweet in which she criticized Joe Biden for the increase in consumer prices, citing a mathematical formula that was incomprehensible and embarrassingly incorrect.
2023: “For a strong America. For a proud America. I am running for President of the United States of America!“

Get excited! @NikkiHaley just filed to run for president.

It’s time for a new generation of leadership—but we can’t win without you.

Head to https://t.co/EOtrpCvhfq to join #TeamHaley today. Let’s do this! 👊 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ygFqbKlnHr

— Team Haley (@TeamHaley) February 14, 2023

Throughout her political career, Nikki Haley has been known for her conservative views, her willingness to take controversial positions, and her ability to connect with voters across different demographic groups. While her future plans are uncertain, she remains a figure to watch in American politics.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Haley has received numerous awards and honors. In 2010, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, and in 2012, she was named one of Newsweek’s “150 Fearless Women.” In 2014, Haley received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

Key Takeaways

January 20, 1972: Nikki Haley was born in Bamberg, South Carolina.
1990: Haley graduated from Orangeburg Preparatory Schools in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
1994: She graduated from Clemson University with a degree in accounting.
1996: Haley married Michael Haley, a captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard.
2004: Haley was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives from Lexington County, becoming the first Indian-American to hold office in South Carolina.
2010: She became the Republican nominee for Governor of South Carolina, defeating three-term incumbent Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer in the primary.
2011: Haley was inaugurated as the 116th Governor of South Carolina, becoming the first woman to hold the office.
2012: She endorsed Mitt Romney for President of the United States.
2014: Haley was re-elected as Governor of South Carolina, defeating Democratic challenger Vincent Sheheen.
2016: She endorsed Marco Rubio for President of the United States.
2017: Haley was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations and was confirmed by the Senate in a 96-4 vote.
2018: Haley resigned as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations on December 31, 2018.
Haley is a member of the Republican Party and is known for her conservative views on issues such as taxes, healthcare, and immigration.
She has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including being named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2010.
2023: In an official announcement, Nikki Haley initiated her bid for the presidency of the United States, urging citizens to turn away from outdated concepts and outdated individuals from the past, and instead put their trust in a fresh group of political leaders.