Usha Vance is married to U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Raised in San Diego, she comes from a family of Indian immigrants who placed a strong focus on education. Her studies took her through Yale and Cambridge, leading to a career in law.
Today, she balances family life with three children and supports her husbandโs path in public service.
| Full Name | Usha Chilukuri Vance |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, USA |
| Heritage | Indian-American; family originally from Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Parents | – Mother: Lakshmi Chilukuri (Provost, University of California, San Diego) |
| – Father: Krish Chilukuri (Professor of Aerospace Engineering, San Diego State University) | |
| Siblings | – Younger Sister: Shreya Chilukuri (Mechanical Engineer at a semiconductor company) |
| Grandparents | – Grandfather: Ramasastry Chilukuri (Former IIT Madras Professor) |
| – Great-Aunt: Shanthamma Chilukuri (96-year-old physics professor in India) | |
| Education | – BA in History: Yale University (2007) |
| – MPhil in Early Modern History: University of Cambridge (Gates Scholar) | |
| – JD in Law: Yale Law School (2013) | |
| Career | – Clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (2017) |
| – Clerked for Judge Brett Kavanaugh (2014) | |
| – Civil litigator at Munger, Tolles & Olson law firm, representing high-profile clients | |
| Legal Bar Membership | DC Bar |
| Husband | JD Vance (U.S. Senator, Author, and Vice Presidential Candidate) |
| Marriage | Married in 2014 after meeting at Yale Law School |
| Children | – Ewan Vance: Age 7 |
| – Vivek Vance: Age 4 | |
| – Mirabel Vance: Age 2 | |
| Religious Background | Raised in a Hindu-practicing household; supportive of JDโs Christian faith |
| Political History | Voted Democrat in 2014; transitioned to Republican supporter after JDโs Senate run |
| Net Worth | Combined net worth with JD Vance: Estimated between $3.4 million and $10.2 million |
| Real Estate | – First House (2014): Washington D.C.; Purchased for $590,000, now worth $850,000 |
| – Second House (2018): Cincinnati, Ohio; Purchased for $1.4 million, now worth $1.8 million | |
| – Third House (2023): Alexandria, Virginia; Purchased for $1.6 million | |
| Notable Contributions | Known for her accomplished legal career, supportive partnership, and balancing family life |
Who is Usha Vance?
Usha Vance is the wife of Ohio Senator JD Vance, who is well-known for his political career and his book Hillbilly Elegy. Usha has her own impressive background as a successful lawyer and academic.
While her husband is often in the spotlight, Usha has built a successful career and plays a key role in supporting their family.
Her story is one of hard work, dedication, and balancing career and family life.
Early Life and Family Background
Usha Vance was born Usha Chilukuri and raised in San Diego, California, in a family of Indian immigrants.
Her parents moved to the United States in the late 1970s from the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Ushaโs upbringing was shaped by a household that valued education and strong family bonds.
Her mother, Lakshmi Chilukuri, is a provost at the University of California, San Diego, while her father, Krish Chilukuri, is a professor of aerospace engineering at San Diego State University.
Usha also comes from a family of accomplished individuals in India, including her great-aunt, who is celebrated as one of the countryโs oldest active professors, and her grandfather, who taught at the prestigious IIT Madras.
Education and Academic Achievements
Usha Vance has an impressive academic background.
- Yale University (2007): Usha graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Yale is known for attracting some of the brightest minds from across the globe, and Usha was no exception.
- University of Cambridge: She earned an MPhil in Early Modern History as a Gates Scholar, a highly prestigious scholarship awarded to outstanding students from around the world. Her time at Cambridge further honed her intellectual pursuits.
- Yale Law School (2013): Usha completed her Juris Doctor (JD), positioning herself as a skilled legal professional. Yale Law School is widely regarded as one of the top law schools in the United States.
James and Usha have been together since their college days.
Hereโs an old picture of JD and Usha Vance after they met at Yale Law School in 2011.
Do you fully support our Second Family? pic.twitter.com/oOOLFzgIaC
โ Colton Blake ๐บ๐ธ (@ColtonBlakeX) January 15, 2025
Family Life and Parenting
Usha Vance and JD Vance share a strong partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared values.
Married in 2014 after meeting at Yale Law School, the couple has built a life focused on family and support for one anotherโs goals.
They are proud parents to three children: Ewan, 7, Vivek, 4, and Mirabel, 2.
The family spends their time between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Alexandria, Virginia, handling everyday life while JD focuses on his career.
Usha takes care of the home and kids, ensuring they grow up grounded and well-supported, even with the challenges of public life. She is committed to keeping the family strong and focused on what matters most.
Net Worth and Real Estate
Usha Vance and JD Vance have a combined net worth estimated between $3.4 million and $10.2 million.
The wide range accounts for variations in the valuation of assets, including investments, income from JD’s venture capital firm, royalties from his book Hillbilly Elegy, and other financial holdings.
The couple owns several homes:
- Washington, D.C. (2014): Their first home was purchased for $590,000 and is now worth about $850,000.
- Cincinnati, Ohio (2018): A five-bedroom house in East Walnut Hills was bought for $1.4 million, with a current value of $1.8 million.
- Alexandria, Virginia (2023): A house near Washington, D.C., purchased for $1.6 million, serves as their primary residence during JDโs time in public office.
Influence on JD Vance and His Career
Usha Vance has had a significant impact on JD Vance, shaping both his personal life and political journey.
She is often described as the one who keeps him grounded, ensuring that he does not lose focus or get carried away by political success.
JD has openly admitted that Ushaโs straightforward advice and success as an individual push him to be better in his own career.
One of the key ways Usha influences JD is through her ability to challenge his views and decisions. She offers him new perspectives that he might not consider otherwise.
Her upbringing in a family of Indian immigrants and her experiences as a high-achieving professional have given her insights that complement JDโs own life story. That leads us to another fun fact. She will be the first second lady of Indian origin.
This dynamic has helped JD refine his ideas and connect with a wider audience.
Usha also plays a vital role in maintaining stability for their family, which allows JD to focus on the demands of public life.
While JD is often in the spotlight, Usha works to ensure that their family life stays strong. She has been an anchor for JD during moments of high pressure, providing both emotional and practical support.
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Her presence and influence are not always visible to the public, but they have been essential in shaping JDโs approach to his career and leadership.
Final Thoughts
Usha Vance is a strong and capable person who has achieved success through education and hard work. She shifted her focus to her family when the time called for it, showing dedication and responsibility.
Her role in the life of JD Vance is more than just that of a wife. She provides honest advice, supports her family, and keeps things stable while JD manages his public and political responsibilities. Usha focuses on her priorities without seeking attention, making her a vital part of the Vance family journey.
References
- Elle. โWho Is Usha Vance? Meet the Second Lady of the United States.โ Elle UK, 15 May 2025. https://www.elle.com/uk/news-politics/a62827936/usha-vance
- Yale Daily News. โBefore He Was Trumpโs Running Mate, JD Vance Was a Free Thinker and Moderating Influence at Yale Law School.โ Yale Daily News, 29 Oct. 2024. https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/10/29/before-he-was-trumps-running-mate-jd-vance-was-a-free-thinker-and-moderating-influence-at-yale-law-school
- The Guardian. โHillbilly Elegy by JD Vance Review โ Does This Trump-Era Memoir Really Explain America?โ The Guardian, 7 Dec. 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/07/hillbilly-elegy-by-jd-vance-review
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