Regarded as a highly divisive figure in American politics, Clarence Thomas is recognized for his conservative perspectives and extensive service on the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, his personal life and family background remain relatively obscure.
Discover all you need to know about Clarence Thomas and his family.
Born in Pin Point, Georgia in 1948, Clarence Thomas is the second youngest of 12 siblings. His father and mother worked as farm and domestic workers respectively.
Clarence has disclosed that he grew up in poverty and segregation during the era of Jim Crow laws in the South. Thomas has shared his experiences of the difficulties he faced during his childhood.
Clarence Thomas Family & Religion
Thomas’ family is deeply religious, and he has credited his Catholic faith with helping him through difficult times. He attended Catholic schools throughout his childhood and later converted to the faith of his wife, Virginia Lamp.
Thomas and Virginia Lamp have been married since 1987. Lamp is a lawyer and lobbyist who has served various conservative groups, such as the Heritage Foundation and the US Chamber of Commerce.
Children
Mark James and Ginnie Mae are two of Thomas and Lamp’s adoptive children; they do not share any biological children. Thomas has talked about the joys and difficulties of raising both of his adopted children, who were both given up for adoption as newborns.
Thomas has one biological son, Jamal Adeen Thomas, from his first marriage to Kathy Ambush in addition to the children he has adopted.
Jamal Adeen Thomas, who has achieved success in both business and politics, has worked for various Republican organizations, such as the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Heritage Foundation.
He has publicly expressed his strong support for his father and their close relationship. Similarly, Thomas’ siblings have also found success in their respective fields, with his older brother Myers Anderson Thomas serving as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives in the 1980s and his other brother John Thomas being a retired army colonel and lawyer who served in the Vietnam War.
Thomas has endured criticism and controversy throughout his career despite his fame and success. His former coworker Anita Hill accused him of sexual harassment, and his hardline stance on subjects like affirmative action and abortion has drawn criticism.
Thomas has stuck to his conservative beliefs and his Catholic faith in the face of these difficulties.