When it comes to Black excellence, Karine Jean‑Pierre scores across the board. She is a trailblazing political advisor, public servant and author who made history in 2022 as the first Black and openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as White House Press Secretary. She completed this feat under former President Joe Biden, after first serving as Principal Deputy Press Secretary. Later, in October 2024, she transitioned to the role of Senior Advisor.

Her impressive career spans major roles in campaigns, advocacy, media commentary, academia, and public affairs. Here’s a deeper look at her journey, net worth, family life, identity, and more.

Karine Jean‑Pierre Before Fame

Born August 13, 1974 in Fort‑de‑France, Martinique, Jean‑Pierre is the daughter of Haitian immigrants. This instilled a drive in her to build from the ground up, understanding the value of hard work. At 5 years old, her family moved to Queens Village, New York, where she was raised in a conservative, Catholic household. Her father worked as a cab driver while her mother was a home health aide and salon owner. She was often tasked with caring for her younger siblings, as her parents worked to earn money. 

Graduating from high school in 1993, Jean‑Pierre earned a B.S. from the New York Institute of Technology and an M.P.A. from Columbia University. There, she was an active member of the student government and organically discovered her passion for politics.

How Did Karine Jean‑Pierre Become Famous?

Jean‑Pierre began to fortify her name when she worked as director of legislative and budget affairs for a NYC councilor. This was followed by political director roles during the 2004 Edwards presidential bid and the Obama campaigns in 2008 and 2012. She joined MoveOn.org in 2016 as a senior advisor and national spokeswoman before becoming a political analyst for MSNBC and NBC. In January 2021, her name truly became known when she joined the Biden Administration as Principal Deputy Press Secretary.  This was a major milestone in her career. In May 2022, she was promoted, stepping into the lead Press Secretary role and making history yet again.

Politics

Jean-Pierre’s political career is centered on strategic communication and advocacy. She pulls a lot from her own upbringing to inform what shapes her activism. During the Biden 2020 campaign, she was Chief of Staff for Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris. In her White House roles, she led daily briefings, advocated for LGBTQ+ protections and communicated major policy initiatives. In October 2024, she became Senior Advisor. This ascension is only a testament to her trusted voice and capacity for leadership. In June 2025, Jean-Pierre officially announced that she had left the Democratic Party and now identified as independent.

Business Endeavors

Though best known for everything she offers in public service, Jean‑Pierre is actively engaged in speaking, writing and teaching. She taught international and public affairs at Columbia University in 2014  and authored two books: 2019’s “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America” and “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House Outside the Party Lines,” due October 2025. Outside academia and literature, her income stems from public roles, speaking engagements, and returns on stock and real estate investments.

What Is Karine Jean‑Pierre’s Net Worth?

Jean‑Pierre’s net worth estimates land around $1 and $2 million. As the White House Press Secretary, she earned a salary of $180,000. She has worked for years in prestigious political and government positions, making history while earning a fair income. From her early life in Martinique and Queens to the highest echelons of politics, she’s broken multiple glass ceilings as the first Black, first Haitian‑American, and first openly LGBTQ+ Press Secretary. With a net worth in the millions, she has been able to soar while staying true to public service, her intellectual pursuits and honest leadership. 

Does Karine Jean‑Pierre Have Children?

Jean‑Pierre and her former partner, CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, adopted a daughter together named Soleil in 2014. Malveaux co-anchored the CNN international news program “Around the World” and served as the network’s White House correspondent, lending to a politically charged home. While the two were romantically separated in September 2023, they continue to co-parent her together.

What Nationality Is Karine Jean‑Pierre?

Jean‑Pierre was born in French‑controlled Martinique and is a French‑American citizen. Her parents are Haitian immigrants, and she grew up in the U.S., where she later naturalized as an American citizen. She is fluent in English, French, and Haitian Creole. In 2021, Jean-Pierre became an honoree of the Great Immigrants Award by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Is Karine Jean‑Pierre LGBTQ+?

Jean‑Pierre is openly lesbian. She came out to her mother at 16 years old and later publicly during her time as White House Briefing Officer. This was a major stepping stone for the queer community, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ White House Press Secretary. Her journey through identity was challenging due to her conservative upbringing, though that hasn’t stopped her from proudly advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the current press secretary for the White House? The current White House Press Secretary is Karoline Leavitt. She assumed the role on January 20, 2025 after replacing Karine Jean-Pierre, who had served as press secretary since 2022.

Did Karine Jean‑Pierre write a book? Karine Jean‑Pierre wrote the book “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America” in 2019. In it, she reviews her life and encourages people to become involved in politics, describing the work as “part memoir, part call to arms.” Her next novel, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,” is due October 2025.