Emily Threlkeld's bio: Everything you need to know about Harold Ford Jr.'s wife
Emily Threlkeld is an American entrepreneur, publicist, and marketing consultant best known as the wife of Harold Ford Jr., a former US congressman and co-host of Fox News's The Five. Born on 2 January 1981 in Naples, Florida, she built a career in high-end fashion before co-founding swimwear label Basta Surf. Emily is of White American ethnicity and has been married to Harold Ford Jr. since 2008.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Emily Threlkeld rose to fame as Harold Ford Jr.'s wife and was often involved in her husband's Senate campaigns.
- The couple tied the knot on April 26, 2008 at Miami's Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church.
- They have two children and live in New York City.
- Harold Ford Jr. is a former U.S. congressman who served for ten years as a member of the Democratic Party from Tennessee's 9th congressional district.
- He is also a political commentator and author.
Emily Threlkeld's profile summary
Full name | Emily Threlkeld Ford |
Date of birth | 2 January 1981 |
Age | 45 (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Naples, Florida, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White American |
Profession | Marketing consultant, publicist, entrepreneur |
Education | Community School of Naples; University of Miami (B.S. Business & Marketing, 2003) |
Relationship status | Married |
Spouse | Harold Ford Jr. (married 26 April 2008) |
Children | Georgia Walker Ford (b. 2013), Harold Eugene Ford III (b. 2015) |
Height | 5'4" (163 cm) |
Weight | 126 lbs (57 kg) |
Hair/eye colour | Blonde/brown |
Emily Threlkeld's bio
Emily Threlkeld grew up in Naples, Florida. She is the daughter of Tom Threlkeld and Deborah Beard, who divorced when Emily was two years old.
Her mother later married Vin De Pasquale and subsequently Anson Beard, the former chairman of Morgan Stanley and a prominent Wall Street investor. This background gave Emily early access to elite social and business circles.
When was Emily Threlkeld born?
The entrepreneur was born on 2 January 1981 in Naples, Florida. She is 45 years old as of 2026.
What is Emily Threlkeld's ethnicity?
Emily Threlkeld is of White American ethnicity. She was born to Caucasian parents and raised in Naples, Florida. Her husband, Harold Ford Jr., is African American.
Source: Original
Educational background
Emily attended the Community School of Naples before pursuing higher education at the University of Miami. She graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing.
Emily Threlkeld's career
After graduating, Emily began her professional life as a publicist at Nina Ricci, the French fashion house. In that role, she styled celebrities including Jada Pinkett-Smith and Renée Zellweger.
She later moved to Carolina Herrera, working as a publicist and consultant within the Puig design conglomerate under Mario Grauso.
Basta Surf
In 2009, Emily co-founded Basta Surf, a luxury swimwear label, alongside designer Samantha August. The brand was based in New York City, used Italian fabrics, and was stocked at Moda Operandi and Bloomingdale's.
Celebrities including American actress Jessica Alba and Chrissy Teigen were photographed wearing Basta Surf designs. The brand was also featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
In February 2015, Basta Surf was acquired by Raj Swim. The label ceased operating as an independent brand following the sale.
Source: Getty Images
Later career and philanthropy
The fashion enthusiast worked as a director of research for Harold Ford Jr.'s political operations. She also supports several philanthropic organisations, including:
- The American Cancer Society
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The New York Public Library
How did Emily Threlkeld and Harold Ford Jr. meet?
Emily Threlkeld and Harold Ford Jr. met in 2004 at a wedding celebration in New Orleans. She was working as a publicist; he was serving as a US congressman from Tennessee.
The couple became engaged in 2007. They married on 26 April 2008 at Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church in Miami, Florida, in front of approximately 300 guests.
Emily Threlkeld is Harold Ford Jr.'s first and only wife. He has no record of any prior marriage.
Who is Harold Ford Jr.?
Source: Getty Images
Harold Eugene Ford Jr. was born on 11 May 1970, making him 56 years old as of 2026. He is the son of Harold Ford Sr., a long-serving congressman from Tennessee who represented the same 9th district before his son.
Harold Ford Jr. represented Tennessee's 9th district in the US House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007, a total of ten years. He ran for the US Senate in 2006 but was unsuccessful.
He joined Fox News as a contributor in April 2021 and was named a co-host of The Five in January 2022. He offers a centrist Democrat perspective on the show, also appearing regularly on Special Report with Bret Baier.
Dorothy Bowles Ford is the mother of Fox News contributor Harold Ford Jr. She is an educator and community leader who was previously married to Harold Ford Sr.
Harold Ford Jr. and Emily Threlkeld's children
Emily and Harold Ford Jr. have two children together. The family lives in New York City. Their kids are:
- Georgia Walker Ford, born 22 December 2013
- Harold Eugene Ford III, born May 2015
What is Emily Threlkeld's net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly known or reported by verified financial sources. Emily's income sources include:
- Fashion publicity and marketing consultancy
- Co-founding and operating Basta Surf (sold in 2015)
- Research and advisory roles in political operations
- Philanthropic board involvement
Her husband Harold Ford Jr.'s net worth is separately estimated at around $3 million, accumulated through his congressional career, corporate consultancy, and Fox News hosting role.
Source: Getty Images
Latest news
Harold Ford Jr. continues to appear as a rotating co-host on Fox News' The Five in 2025 and into 2026, alongside regular slots on Special Report with Bret Baier. Emily Threlkeld has maintained her private profile throughout his increasingly prominent television career.
FAQs
- When was Emily Threlkeld born? She was born on 2 January 1981 in Naples, Florida. She is 45 years old as of 2026.
- Is Harold Ford's wife white? Yes. Emily Threlkeld is of White American ethnicity, born to Caucasian parents Tom Threlkeld and Deborah Beard.
- Who is Harold Ford Jr.'s wife now? He is married to Emily Threlkeld Ford. The couple married on 26 April 2008 and remain together, living in New York City with their two children.
- Who is Harold Ford's wife from The Five? Harold Ford Jr. is a rotating co-host of The Five on Fox News. His wife is Emily Threlkeld, a former fashion publicist and entrepreneur.
- What is Emily Threlkeld's net worth? Her net worth remains unknown and has not been published by any financial outlet.
- Who is Harold Ford Jr.'s first wife? Emily Threlkeld is his first and only wife. They married on 26 April 2008. He has not been previously married.
- Is Emily Threlkeld on Instagram? She does not maintain a verified public profile on social media. Still, you can find Harold Ford Jr's first wife's photos online.
- What is Harold Ford Jr.'s age? He was born on 11 May 1970, making him 56 years old as of 2026.
- Who is Dorothy Bowles Ford? She is an educator and community leader, well known as Harold Ford Jr.'s mother and ex-wife of Harold Ford Sr.
Emily Threlkeld is an American marketing consultant, entrepreneur, and publicist. She rose to fame as the wife of Harold Ford Jr., a former U.S. congressman. The pair has two children, Georgia Walker Ford and Harold Eugene Ford III.
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