New Delhi: At a high-energy rally in Florida’s Palm Beach County Convention Center, former President Donald Trump electrified his audience as he congratulated his running mate, JD Vance, ahead of an anticipated election victory. Trump singled out not only Vance but also his Indian-American wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, praising her as a “remarkable and beautiful” partner who brings her own unique story to the American political landscape.
“I want to be the first to congratulate now I can say Vice President-elect JD Vance. And his remarkable and beautiful wife, Usha Vance,” Trump announced, igniting cheers. Vance, elated, addressed supporters, “We just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America.”
As this momentous political rise unfolds, Usha Vance is stepping into the national spotlight. An accomplished Yale-educated lawyer with Indian roots, she will soon make history as the first Indian-origin Second Lady of the United States, tracing her family heritage to Andhra Pradesh. Her personal and professional background promises to add a fresh dimension to American politics.
Who is Usha Chilukuri Vance? An Exceptional Background in Law and Public Service
Born in San Diego in 1986 to Indian immigrant parents, Usha Vance was raised in an upper-middle-class suburb where she excelled academically from a young age. She graduated from Yale with a bachelor’s degree in History and later pursued a Master of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, as reported by The New York Times. Known for her intellectual rigor and dedication, Usha went on to earn a law degree from Yale, where she met her future husband, JD Vance.
After graduating, Usha built a distinguished career in law, working as a corporate litigator in San Francisco and clerking for Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh. At Yale, she was Managing Editor of the Yale Journal of Law and Technology and Executive Development Editor of the Yale Law Journal, accomplishments that underscore her legal acumen.
Beyond academics, Usha embraced a vibrant college life, engaging in extracurriculars before earning a Gates fellowship at Cambridge. Her journey with JD Vance began at Yale Law School, where Vance attended on a scholarship. The couple married in Kentucky in 2014 and later held a Hindu blessing ceremony, honoring Usha’s heritage. They are now parents to three children: Ewan, 6, Vivek, 4, and Mirabel, 2.
How Usha Vance Shaped JD Vance’s Political Journey
Usha has been an integral figure in JD Vance’s transformation from a critic of Trump to a key player in his political resurgence. Known for her intellect and steady counsel, Usha helped JD conceptualize and articulate his thoughts on rural America’s struggles, which later became the foundation of his bestseller, Hillbilly Elegy. Her influence helped JD navigate complex political and social landscapes.
Once a registered Democrat, Usha’s own evolution mirrors her husband’s. In a recent interview, she shared, “I’m not raring to change anything about our lives right now, but I believe in JD, and I really love him, and so we’ll just sort of see what happens with our life.”
