Harold Ford Jr.’s Family-Centered Birthday Traditions

When Harold Ford Jr. celebrated his 55th birthday, the Fox News host and former Tennessee congressman didn’t mark the occasion with a splashy party or glamorous night out. Instead, he kept to the tradition that has defined his family life for years: a cozy gathering with his wife, Emily Threlkeld, and their two children, Georgia and Harold III.

The day started early, as it usually does in the Ford household. “I get up around 5 a.m., have a couple coffees, play with my kids, then walk my daughter to school,” he once explained, and birthdays are no exception. Georgia, now 11, and her younger brother Harold—still affectionately called “Lovey” at home—often set the tone for the morning with small surprises, whether it’s handmade cards or a quick breakfast treat before their father heads off to the studio.

The centerpiece of the celebration, though, is the family meal. Ford has often spoken fondly of birthdays spent around the table, recalling in an earlier interview, “With my wife, Georgia and Lovey over a big lunch right before they nap.” That sentiment has evolved into a lasting tradition, one that carried through to this day.

Instead of a formal dinner out, the Fords gather for a big midday lunch at home. Emily, who once worked in high fashion but now balances motherhood with philanthropic ventures, brings her eye for detail to the spread. The table is usually filled with dishes that reflect both her New York sophistication and Harold’s Memphis roots—Southern comfort foods like fried chicken and greens sitting alongside lighter, modern plates.

Of course, no birthday passes without dessert. Over the years, the kids have grown into the tradition of helping Emily with the cake, whether it’s decorating with candles or sneaking tastes of frosting. Lunch is scheduled before the children’s afternoon downtime, a rhythm that Ford has admitted makes family life smoother. “I need to be around for my kids,” he once reflected, noting how much he values being present for small, everyday moments as much as the big milestones.

For Ford, birthdays aren’t just about marking another year—they’re about pausing with the people who matter most. That commitment shines through in the way his celebrations unfold: simple, joyful, and centered on home. Between Georgia’s thoughtful gestures, Harold’s playful energy, and Emily’s careful touch, each year’s gathering becomes another reminder of what grounds the former congressman most: family.