Kimberly Guilfoyle: From Law and Media to Ambassador

Kimberly Guilfoyle has navigated a multifaceted career spanning law, media, and politics. Her journey has taken her from the courtroom to television screens and, most recently, to the role of United States Ambassador to Greece.

Early Life and Education

Born on March 9, 1969, in San Francisco, California, Kimberly Ann Guilfoyle's upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for learning. Her mother, Mercedes, was a special education teacher, while her father, Anthony Guilfoyle, an Irish immigrant and U.S. Army veteran, worked in construction and later became a real estate investor. Guilfoyle's mother passed away from leukemia when Kimberly was just 11 years old.

Guilfoyle graduated from Mercy High School in San Francisco before attending the University of California, Davis, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She then pursued her legal education at the University of San Francisco School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor degree in 1994. During law school, she interned at the San Francisco district attorney's office and also broadened her horizons by studying at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. To help pay for law school, she worked as a model. “I modeled everything from clothes, swimwear and lingerie, including Victoria’s Secret,” she said in a People interview.

Early Career in Law

After law school, Guilfoyle briefly taught in a public school district. Her legal career began as a prosecutor in San Francisco, followed by a four-year stint as a deputy district attorney in Los Angeles, where she handled cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, and narcotics. In 1996, she lost her job when Terence Hallinan was elected district attorney and fired 14 of the city's prosecutors.

In 2000, Guilfoyle returned to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office as an assistant district attorney. During this time, she gained prominence for co-prosecuting a case involving a dog mauling in 2002, People v. During her time as assistant district attorney, Guilfoyle publicly accused her fellow assistant District Attorney Kamala Harris of being unwelcoming toward her. This accusation stemmed from a period years earlier, during Guilfoyle's re-hiring at the San Francisco district attorney's office. Harris denied this accusation.

Transition to Media

In January 2004, Guilfoyle transitioned to a career in television, moving to New York to host the program "Both Sides" on Court TV. She also worked as a legal analyst on Anderson Cooper 360°. In 2006, she joined Fox News as the host of the weekend show "The Lineup." After "The Lineup" was canceled, Guilfoyle remained a regular contributor to the network, providing legal analysis on various shows. In 2011, she became a co-host of "The Five," a news show with a roundtable discussion format.

Guilfoyle's move to media marked a significant shift in her career. Speaking of her decision to move into a role as a media personality, Guilfoyle said at the time, "I've always had an interest in broadcast journalism and the law."

Tenure at Fox News and Departure

Guilfoyle spent over a decade at Fox News, becoming a well-known conservative commentator and co-hosting "The Five." In mid-2017, she signed a long-term contract extension with Fox. However, in July 2018, she abruptly left the network.

According to HuffPost, at the time of her departure, Fox News had been in the midst of a year-long investigation of a sexual harassment accusation against Guilfoyle. After Guilfoyle left, Fox News agreed to an out-of-court settlement with an assistant who had accused Guilfoyle of sexual harassment. Terms were not disclosed. Guilfoyle denied the claims.

Political Involvement and the Trump Campaign

After leaving Fox News, Guilfoyle became actively involved in Republican politics. She began working for a pro-Donald Trump super PAC and became a vocal advocate for Trump's policies. In 2019, Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr. jointly toured school campuses.

In 2020, Guilfoyle served as the chair of the finance committee of the Trump Victory Committee. As of early 2020, the Trump campaign was secretly paying Guilfoyle $15,000 per month through the campaign manager's private company, Parscale Strategy. She served as a surrogate on the stump and took on broad advisory roles. In the Trump 2020 campaign, she managed a fund-raising division.

Controversies and Allegations

Guilfoyle's involvement in the Trump campaign was not without controversy. In November 2020, Politico reported that Guilfoyle had engaged in sexually explicit conversations during private Trump fundraisers that had made some attendees uncomfortable.

On January 6, 2021, Guilfoyle joined Trump, Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, Eric Trump, and others on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., to address the "Save America March," which preceded the attack on the Capitol. Having raised millions of dollars to support the rally, Guilfoyle was also involved in organizing the protest at the Capitol. She was paid $60,000 for her rally speech, lasting less than three minutes.

Relationship with Donald Trump Jr.

Guilfoyle's personal life also garnered significant media attention. In June 2018, it was confirmed that Guilfoyle was dating Donald Trump Jr. In mid-2019, Guilfoyle and Trump jointly purchased a home in The Hamptons, priced at $4.4 million. They sold it in March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic for $8.14 million. Also in March 2021, the couple jointly purchased a $9.7 million home in Jupiter, Florida. Guilfoyle and Trump became engaged on December 31, 2020. The engagement was not made public until January 2022. Guilfoyle and Trump Jr. cohabited in their Jupiter residence from 2021 until it was put up for sale in 2025.

Appointment as Ambassador to Greece

In December 2024, Donald Trump selected Kimberly Guilfoyle to be the United States Ambassador to Greece. Trump described Guilfoyle as "a close friend and ally," praising her intellect and leadership skills. In announcing her nomination, Trump highlighted Guilfoyle’s suitability for the role, stating, "Kimberly is perfectly suited to foster strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and economic innovation."

Guilfoyle expressed her enthusiasm for the position in a statement: "President Trump’s historic victory is bringing hope and optimism to the American people and to freedom-loving allies across the world. It was the democratic values born in Greece that helped shape the founding of America," she wrote. "And now, we have an opportunity to honor that history by bringing better days here at home and abroad. As ambassador, I look forward to delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity."

The Senate confirmed Guilfoyle's nomination in September 2025. She arrived in Athens to assume her duties in November 2025.

U.S. - Greece Relations

Greece is a strategic partner for the United States, playing a crucial role in the Mediterranean region as a NATO ally. The country is facing several pressing challenges, including:

A weakened economy that is still recovering from years of financial instability.
A migrant crisis that requires international collaboration to manage effectively.
Environmental disasters, including devastating wildfires, which have been intensified by the impacts of climate change.

Guilfoyle's role as ambassador involves fostering strong bilateral relations with Greece and advancing U.S. interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and innovation.

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