KARINE Jean-Pierre made history as the first Black person and the first openly lesbian woman to be White House press secretary.
Since taking office in May 2022, Americans have wanted to know more about her and her personal life.
Karine Jean-Pierre is currently in a relationship with Suzanne Malveaux.
Outside of being known as Jean-Pierre’s partner, she is known for her career as a television news journalist.
For the past 20 years, she has worked for CNN and has been seen co-anchoring Around the World and editions of CNN Newsroom.
She also served as a White House correspondent and as a primary substitute for Wolf Blitzer on The Situation Room.
Malveaux attended Harvard University, earning a degree in sociology, before attending Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Due to her long career at CNN, fans have become accustomed to seeing her on screen which is why they were shocked in January 2023 when she announced her resignation.
In a memo sent to staffers, she explained that she had “made the heartfelt decision to put myself and my family first and to pursue my long-desired professional passions: using storytelling to promote wellness, resiliency and social justice,” according to Deadline.
She later explained that she had approached CNN months prior to talk about “focusing on my family and possibly pursuing some new opportunities,” adding that the network supported her.
While fans might be upset about her departure, she assured them that she has other projects lined up.
“I’m thrilled one of those projects will be a collaboration with a great grandson of Nelson Mandela to tell stories and spotlight communities in conflict poised to find peace. Stay tuned,” she continued.
At this time, details on her upcoming projects are unclear.
While Jean-Pierre and Malveaux might have high-profile careers in Washington, that has not stopped them from starting a family.
When they are not in the office, they can be found at home, spending time with their adoptive daughter Soleil.
While Soleil might have high-profile parents, little information is available on her personal life because she is often kept out of the spotlight.
Jean-Pierre shared part of her coming out story on Twitter in June 2021 in honor of Pride Month.
She wrote: “I came out to my Mom when I was 16 years old. The revolted look on her face sent me running back into the proverbial closet and slamming the door shut. After that, my sexuality became a family secret and it would stay that way for years.”
“I dated, but I hid those relationships from my family. Just as American society has evolved over the course of the past couple of decades to embrace the LGBTQ community (never forgetting we still have work to do), my family has evolved to embrace my membership in it.”
According to a Gallup poll, 5.6% of Americans identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community with an even smaller percentage being Black women.
Jean-Pierre expressed her pride in her small but vulnerable community: “I’m proud to be an out Black Queer woman and I have been for quite some time. I’m happy to say, my Mother is now proud of ALL of who I am; she loves my partner and she loves being a doting grandmother to the daughter we are raising.”
“My journey towards feeling accepted by myself and loved ones wasn’t an easy one, but it was worthwhile. No matter where you are in your journey, I see you, we see you and we celebrate you – Happy Pride!”
She said she first shattered that glass ceiling when she served as a staffer in the Obama administration.
“What’s been wonderful is that I was not the only; I was one of many. President Obama didn’t hire LGBT staffers, he hired experienced individuals who happen to be LGBT,” she said.
“Serving and working for President Obama where you can be openly gay has been an amazing honor.”
