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Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley is an American politician and diplomat who served as governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 and as U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nikki Haley is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 and as the 29th U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018. A member of the Republican Party, she was a candidate for the party's 2024 presidential nomination and finished second to Donald Trump. She is the first woman to serve as governor of South Carolina and is widely described as the first Indian American to serve in a U.S. Cabinet-level role.

Early life and background

Nikki Haley was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, in 1972. She is the daughter of Punjabi Sikh immigrants from India and has used her middle name, Nikki, professionally.

State political career

Haley entered elected office in the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2005. She later won the governorship in 2010 and served two terms until 2017. She was the first woman to serve as governor of South Carolina.

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

In 2016, Donald Trump nominated Haley to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She served in the post from 2017 to 2018 and became one of the most prominent members of the administration.

2024 presidential campaign

Haley announced a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2023. She remained in the race through the primaries and finished second behind Trump.

Key facts

  • Haley served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011.
  • She was elected governor of South Carolina in 2010 and took office in January 2011.
  • She was the first woman to serve as governor of South Carolina.
  • Trump appointed Haley as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in 2016; she served from 2017 to 2018.
  • She ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 and finished second.
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Canadian context

Haley is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through U.S.-Canada relations, since she served as a senior U.S. diplomat at the United Nations and has been a prominent figure in American foreign policy and Republican politics.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nikki Haley?
Nikki Haley is an American Republican politician and diplomat who served as governor of South Carolina and as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
When was Nikki Haley born?
She was born on January 20, 1972.
What offices has Nikki Haley held?
She served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, as governor of South Carolina, and as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Was Nikki Haley the first woman governor of South Carolina?
Yes. She was the first woman to serve as governor of South Carolina.
Did Nikki Haley run for president in 2024?
Yes. She ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 and finished second.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikki_Haley
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, offices held, Republican affiliation, and 2024 primary result.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nikki-Haley
    Supports: Birth date and place, South Carolina governorship, and UN ambassadorship.
  3. National Governors Association — https://www.nga.org/governor/nikki-r-haley/
    Supports: Dates of service as governor of South Carolina and inauguration dates.
  4. Council on Foreign Relations — https://www.cfr.org/articles/meet-nikki-haley-republican-presidential-candidate
    Supports: Career summary including South Carolina House, governorship, UN ambassadorship, and political activities.
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64643005
    Supports: 2024 presidential candidacy, background, and historic significance as governor.