Nikki Haley is one of the most prominent women figures in American politics. She is also a diplomat and has been active in the field for almost two decades.
Recently, Nikki who has served as the first female governor of South Carolina and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations has finally announced that she will be running for president and that she is hoping to seek the Republican Party’s support for the 2024 presidential election.
The news regarding her intentions to run for president was by a member of her inner circle on January 31, 2023.
It was reported that there had been a significant increase in social media activity and also in her public programs recently, which is justified by the latest news. It is reported that Nikki Haley will publicly announce her candidacy on February 15, 2023.
Nikki Haley is currently the second Republican who has publicly expressed her intentions to overthrow the Democratic President Joe Biden in the elections next year. Earlier, former president and Republican leader Donald Trump also expressed his wish to overthrow the current president in the upcoming elections.
So, here is everything that you need to know about the potential Republican presidential candidate for the 2024 election.
Nikki Haley – Early Life
Nimrata Nikki Randhawa is a second-generation American-Indian and was born on January 20, 10972 in Bamberg, South Carolina. Nikki is the daughter of Ajith Singh Randhawa and Raj Kaur Randhawa, who immigrated to the United States from Punjab, India.
Her father used to be a professor at the Punjab Agricultural University and her mother is a law degree holder from the University of Delhi.
The family first moved to Canada as her father received an opportunity to finish his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. After completing his Ph.D., he received a job opportunity at Voorhees College and the family finally moved and settled in South Carolina.
Nikki Haley attended the Orangeburg Preparatory Schools and completed her basic education there. After completing her school education, Nikki enrolled at Clemson University. She studied accounting at the University and successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in the subject.
Nikki Haley also has three other siblings Simran, Mitti, and Charan, who have very successful careers in their respective fields.
After completing her education at the University, Nikki Haley joined the FCR Corporation for her first work. It was a waste management and recycling firm. Nikki left the job and decided to be a part of the family’s clothing business which was an initiative of her mother.
The clothing line named ‘Exotica International’ was started in 1976 and was closed in 2008. Nikki took up the role of bookkeeper and chief financial officer of the company.
Nikki started to appear and be a part of civic matters mainly after her marriage in 1996. Initially, she was named to the board of directors of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce and later she was named to the board of directors of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce in 2003.
Being a part of the chamber, Nikki organized different events for the collective social upliftment like Lexington Gala to raise funds for a local hospital. She also served in association with Lexington Medical Foundation, Lexington Sheriff’s Office, and many more such institutions.
Nikki Haley – Political Career
Being a very active and prominent personality in the social circle of Lexington County, Haley ran for the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2004. Halery challenged Larry Koon, who was the longest-serving legislator in the South Carolina Statehouse.
The primary elections resulted in a run-off as there was no clear winner and in the runoff, Haley defeated Koon 55% – 45% votes. Haley was unopposed in the general elections and she made history by becoming the first Indian – American to ever hold office in South Carolina. Haley was able to repeat her win for two more consecutive terms.
After serving as a term, Hale took the next big step in 2009. Nikki Haley announced that she will be contesting in the government election of South Carolina. She became the Republican candidate and won the election in 2010 defeating the Democratic candidate Vincent Sheheen.
After completing her first term as the governor, Haley decided to contest the election for a second time. The announcement regarding her second term at the election came in 2013 and Nikki Haley was re-elected as the governor for a second time in 2014.
As years went by, her political career and her area of activities increased considerably. Another pivotal event in the political career of Nikki Hakley came in 2016. That year, then-President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Nikki Haley for ambassador to the United Nations.
There was also news that initially Haley was selected for the position of Secretary of state but she declined. In 2017, Haley secured her position through a 96-4 from the Senate.
Throughout her career as the Ambassador for the United Nations, Nikki Haley was able to give guidance to different initiates and was part of some of the most prominent events and decisions. After an eventful career as the United Nations Ambassador, Haley retired from the position on December 31, 2018.
After retiring from the position, Haley gave rise to a new organization called Stand For America and the prime aim of the organization was to promote different activities in fields like economy, culture, and also national security issues.
The group was able to expand its operations as they have received generous donations from billionaires and other people who were impressed by the group’s activities.
After putting an official end to her United Nations Ambassador career, Haley was nominated to the board of directors of Boeing. She was also given a lifetime position on the Board of Trustees of Clemson University.
Nikki Haley – Net Worth
Nikki Haley is one of the prominent female figures in American politics. Apart from being a successful politician, she is also a diplomat and also a businesswoman.
Through her career as a politician and businesswoman, Nikki Haley is estimated to have a net worth of $2 million. The politician is currently 50 years old and is expected to run for president in the 2024 elections.
Nikki Haley – Personal Life And Relationship
Nikki Haley was born to two Punjabi parents in Bamberg, South Carolina. Nikki Randhawa got married to Michael Halkey in 1996. Her husband is a commissioned officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard.
As the couple had different faiths, they also held two ceremonies to honor their respective faith and culture. As Nikki was Sikh and Michael was a methodist, they celebrated the ceremony accordingly.
Around a year after their marriage, Nikki converted her religion to Christianity and she also attended the United Methodist Church.
The couple had been together since their marriage and they have two children together. They have a daughter named Rena and a son named Nalin. Currently, the family resided on Kiawah Island in South Carolina.
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Nikki Haley – Awards And Honors
As she had been active in politics for quite a long time, Nikki Haley has received different awards and honors in recognition of her services for the greater good of society. Haley was included in the list of 100 Most Influential People in 2016 by Time magazine.
The following year, she was also one of the most powerful female political leaders and also on the 100 most powerful women in the world list which was published by Forbes.
The University of South Carolina honored Nikki by granting her an honorary doctorate of Public Service. She also received an honorary doctorate in Humanities from Clemson University.
She has also received different awards like the Humanitarian Laureate Award, Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award, Citizen of Carolinas Award, Freedom Award, Excellence in Diplomacy Award, Global Vision Award, and many more such awards.
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