Keisha Lance Bottoms is 56 years old as of November 2026. She was born on January 18, 1970, in Atlanta, Georgia. The American attorney and Democratic politician is best known for serving as the 60th mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022. Her political career has also included leadership roles in the White House and a campaign for governor of Georgia.
Bottoms celebrated her 56th birthday on January 18, 2026, and will turn 57 on January 18, 2027. Her career has attracted renewed attention following Georgia’s November 2026 gubernatorial election.
Birth and Age
Keisha Lance Bottoms was born on January 18, 1970, making her 56 years old in 2026.
She grew up in Atlanta, the city where she would later build her political career.
Her childhood and family background shaped her connection to Georgia and its communities.
Bottoms entered public life after establishing herself as an attorney and gaining experience in local government.
By the time she became Atlanta’s mayor in January 2018, she was 47 years old, just days away from her 48th birthday.
She turned 52 during her final month in office in January 2022.
Early Life
Bottoms was raised in Atlanta during a period of significant social and political change.
Her parents were Major Lance, a well-known rhythm-and-blues singer, and Sylvia Robinson.
Her father’s music career brought the family a connection to the entertainment industry.
However, Bottoms pursued a different professional direction, choosing law and public service.
Her upbringing gave her firsthand familiarity with Atlanta’s neighborhoods and institutions.
That local connection later became a recurring theme in her political campaigns.
She frequently emphasized her roots in the city while discussing public safety, education and economic opportunity.
Education
Bottoms earned her undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.
She subsequently attended Georgia State University College of Law, where she completed her legal education.
Her academic background prepared her for a career involving law, government and public administration.
She worked as an attorney before seeking elected office.
Legal training became an important part of her professional identity, particularly as she moved into municipal leadership.
Her education also connected her to institutions with longstanding histories of preparing students for public service.
Political Beginnings
Before becoming mayor, Bottoms served in several local government positions.
She worked as a judge in Atlanta’s municipal court system and later became a member of the Atlanta City Council.
She represented District 11 on the Atlanta City Council from 2010 to 2018.
Her council responsibilities involved neighborhood concerns, city services and local policy decisions.
The experience helped establish her political profile and provided a foundation for a citywide campaign.
She eventually entered the race to succeed Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.
Her victory marked a major step in her public career.
Atlanta Mayor
Keisha Lance Bottoms became Atlanta’s 60th mayor on January 2, 2018.
She was one of the relatively few women to hold the city’s highest elected office.
Her administration addressed economic development, public safety, housing and transportation.
She also faced major challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd in 2020.
These events placed Atlanta under intense national attention.
Bottoms became a recognizable voice in discussions about local government responses to public health emergencies and civil unrest.
She chose not to seek reelection in 2021 and left office in January 2022.
White House Role
Following her mayoral tenure, Bottoms joined President Joe Biden’s administration.
She served as director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, a position focused on communication between the administration and communities across the country.
The role involved working with organizations, public officials and other stakeholders.
Her appointment brought her experience in municipal government into a national policy environment.
Bottoms later returned to political activities in Georgia.
Her work in Washington added another chapter to a career that began in Atlanta’s local government.
Georgia Politics
Bottoms remained a prominent Democratic figure after leaving the Atlanta mayor’s office.
Her political experience and statewide recognition positioned her as a potential contender for higher office.
She entered Georgia’s 2026 gubernatorial race, seeking to move from municipal leadership to statewide executive office.
The campaign attracted attention because Georgia has played an increasingly important role in national electoral politics.
Her candidacy also carried historical significance, given the limited representation of Black women in governorships across the United States.
The November 2026 election brought renewed interest in her background, age and career.
Personal Life
Keisha Lance Bottoms has been married to Derek W. Bottoms since October 22, 1994.
The couple met while attending Georgia State University College of Law.
Derek is an attorney and corporate executive who has worked with The Home Depot.
They built their family through adoption after experiencing fertility challenges.
The couple have four children: Lance, Langston, Lincoln and Lennox.
Lincoln and Lennox are twins.
Bottoms has occasionally discussed how motherhood influenced her priorities and her approach to public service.
Despite her public career, she has generally protected her children’s privacy.
Family Background
Bottoms’ family history includes connections to both music and community life.
Her father, Major Lance, became known for songs such as The Monkey Time and Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um.
His recording career was particularly prominent during the 1960s.
Bottoms followed a different path, establishing herself in law and politics.
Her mother, Sylvia Robinson, was also an important influence during her upbringing.
Family experiences have remained part of Bottoms’ public story, especially when she discusses opportunity and perseverance.
Age Timeline
Several milestones help illustrate how her career developed over time.
Bottoms was 39 when she began serving on the Atlanta City Council in 2010, shortly before turning 40.
She was 47 when she took office as mayor in early January 2018.
She was 51 when she announced that she would not seek a second mayoral term in 2021.
She turned 52 shortly after leaving office in January 2022.
In 2026, she celebrated her 56th birthday while remaining active in Georgia politics.
These milestones reflect more than two decades of legal and public-service experience.
Latest Update
As of November 5, 2026, Keisha Lance Bottoms is 56 years old. Her birthday is January 18, 1970, and she will turn 57 in January 2027.
She is a former Atlanta mayor, attorney and former White House official whose career has extended from local government to national politics.
Her participation in Georgia’s 2026 gubernatorial election has generated renewed interest in her biography.
For readers searching “Keisha Lance Bottoms age,” the confirmed answer is 56 years old, with her 57th birthday approaching on January 18, 2027.
