Patricia Harris Net Worth, Wiki, Bio, Personal life, Children, Age, Career

Patricia Harris was a prominent American politician who worked in the American administration during the time of President Jimmy Carter. Patricia Harris net worth and fame were known to have been amassed from her work as United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare during Presidents Carter’s administration. Patricia Harris career has also received wide fame because she was the first African American woman to serve in the United States Cabinet, and was also the first to enter the line of succession to the Presidency.

Synopsis

The distinguished and talented, Patricia Harris has gained wide recognition for her remarkable work as the first African-American woman to be in the cabinet of the White House administration. Patricia Harris career has also taken her to become the first African American woman to represent the United States as an ambassador when she served as the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg. Patricia Harris net worth was known to be amassed from her remarkable career as the Former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Early Life

Patricia Harris was born on May 31, 1924, in Mattoon, Illinois. She was born to Bert Fitzgerald Roberts and Hildren Brodie. Her father was a railroad dining car waiter. Patricia spent most of her childhood days in a middle-class family.

Education

Patricia Harris went on to receive her education from Howard University. Patricia Harris eventually graduated summa cum laude. Patricia was also elected Phi Beta Kappa while in Howard and served as Vice Chairman of the Howard University chapter of the NAACP. Patricia Harris went on to attend the University of Chicago to do postgraduate work in industrial relations from 1946 to 1949. Then in 1949, she joined the American University. Patricia Harris served the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as the first national executive director. Harris attended the George Washington University National Law Center and in 1960 received her J.D. She was academically excellent.

Early Career

Patricia Harris’s initial work was for the American Council on Human Rights as the Assistant Director till 1953. Harris then began her working for the U.S. Department of Justice. She yet again returned to Howard University in 1961 and worked there as the associate dean of students and law lecturer at Howard’s law school. In 1969 Harris went on to take the position of the Dean of Howard University’s School of Law. This made her the first for a black woman to have filled the position. There were student protests a month later and Patricia was against it. So when the Howard University President James E. Cheek refused to support her she went on to resign as a dean.

Political career

One of Patricia Harris’s first political career steps was in the criminal division of the Department of Justice. She was later appointed the co-chairman of the National Women’s Committee for Civil Rights by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. A year later, Harris was elected a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from the District of Columbia and remained in the administration. She was then appointed the Ambassador to Luxembourg from 1965 to 1967 by President Johnson. This made her the first African American woman named as an American envoy.

Patricia Harris career took her to become a partner of one of Washington, D.C.’s most prestigious law firms Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson. Then Harris went on to serve IBM as the board of directors. She also worked for Scott Paper Co. and Chase Manhattan Bank as its board member.

Patricia Harris went on to serve the credentials committee of the Democratic Party as the appointed chairman. When President Jimmy Carter took the office, Harris was appointed to the cabinet in 1977. When this happened Patricia Harris became the first African American woman to enter the Presidential line of succession. In 1977 she went on to served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and held the position till1979. In that year, Harris worked for the largest cabinet agency Health, Education, and Welfare as its secretary. In 1982, Patricia Harris ran for Mayor of Washington, D.C., however, she did not win. Harris went on to be work for the George Washington National Law Center when she was appointed as a full-time professor.

Books

Patricia Harris Books include the Emily’s Journal: The Welch Letters and the Tom Roberts WWII Diaries: Will We Be Disappointed – After? which have been highly appreciated. Patricia’s biography has also been written in Martha Ward’s Famous first of Black Women.

Net worth

Patricia Harris net worth was estimated to be high at the time when she was in the White House administration. Patricia Harris net worth was higher than most of the black women at the time. Patricia Harris net worth and hard work made her recognized as one of the world’s most powerful women.

Personal Life

Patricia Harris was a married woman. She was married to her husband William Beasley Harris. Patricia met her husband when she was at Howard University. Her husband was a member of the Howard law faculty. The couple eventually got married on September 1, 1955. However, in 1984 right before her death, the couple got divorced. Patricia Harris children are three whom she had with William. Patricia Harris children succeed her after her death.

Death

Patricia Harris died on March 23, 1985, in Washington, D.C., U.S. Patricia Harris age was only 60 when she died. Patricia Harris age was not so much when she succumbed to breast cancer. Harris was buried at the Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Awards and Recognition

Patricia Harris was and still is a huge inspiration to many women around the world for her achievements in the field of politics. When she was alive, Patricia received many awards like the Alumni Achievement Award given by the George Washington University. She was also the recipient of Order of Oaken Crown in 1967. The Howard University presented her the Distinguished Achievement Award in 1966. The very renowned and respected, Patricia Harris bio can be found on various social media sites like Wikipedia.