Who is second lady Usha Vance?

Many are curious about the second lady, Usha Chilukuri Vance — a mom of three, trial lawyer and the wife of Vice President JD Vance.

The former Democrat and law clerk who worked for two Supreme Court Justices has quickly garnered attention after becoming the first Indian-American second lady.

Here’s everything you need to know about Usha Vance:

Who is second lady Usha Vance?

The backstory:

Usha Vance attends the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Ricky Car

Usha Chilukuri Vance, 39, grew up in San Diego and is a law graduate and trial lawyer.

Born to Indian immigrant parents, her mother is a biologist and provost at the University of California, San Diego, and her father is an engineer.

Where did Usha Vance go to school?

Timeline:

She was a Gates Cambridge scholarship recipient who received an undergraduate degree at Yale University and a master of philosophy at the University of Cambridge through the Gates Cambridge scholarship.

How did Usha and JD meet? 

US Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance kiss as they dance to The Battle Hymn of the Republic during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Pa

After Cambridge, she met her husband back at Yale, where the two studied law. In his 2016 memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," JD Vance said the two got to know each other through a class assignment, where he soon "fell hard" for his writing partner.

"In a place that always seemed a little foreign, Usha’s presence made me feel at home," he wrote.

They both graduated Yale in 2013 and were married the following year. 

Usha Vance clerked for Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh

Usha Vance, wife of US Senator and 2024 Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, listens while he speaks during a campaign event at the Milwaukee Police Association in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 16, 2024. (Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI / AF

After law school, Usha Vance clerked for Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he was an appeals court judge and later for Chief Justice John Roberts.

She worked as a trial lawyer at Munger, Tolles & Olson in its San Francisco and D.C. offices. Usha left the firm shortly after her husband became Trump’s running mate.

In a statement, the firm said, "Usha has been an excellent lawyer and colleague, and we thank her for her years of work and wish her the best in her future career."

Is Usha a Republican?

US Second Lady Usha Vance (left) and First Lady Melania Trump are seen as President Donald Trump delivers remarks in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Angelina Katsani

Voter records show that as of 2022, Usha Vance was a registered Republican in Ohio and voted in the Republican primary, where her husband ran for Senate. She had previously identified as a Democrat in 2014, according to AP. 

How many children does Usha have?

Before moving to the White House, JD and Usha Vance lived in Cincinnati with their three children: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel. 

South Asian and Hindu Americans influence

Why you should care:

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and his wife Usha and their children Mirabel and Ewan leave the voting center after casting their ballots at St. Anthony of Padua Church on November 5, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ri

During the primaries, the Republican Party saw increased South Asian representation, with presidential candidates such as Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley making headlines.

Indian American political empowerment groups have expressed support for the growing representation, though some South Asian Americans have raised concerns. They accuse the Republican Party and media outlets of leveraging Usha Vance’s profile to promote a model minority narrative, which they argue overlooks policies that harm their communities.

Instances of racism have also been reported, including ridicule of the Vances’ children’s names, highlighting ongoing challenges.

Many believe Usha Vance’s influence in the White House will hinge on the causes she chooses to champion.

Vance credits Usha

Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance attend the Commander-in-Chief Ball on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump attends some of the inaugural balls after taking the oath as the 47th president. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty

In his memoir, Vance credited part of his success and happiness to his wife.

"Even at my best, I’m a delayed explosion—I can be defused, but only with skill and precision," Vance wrote. "It’s not just that I’ve learned to control myself but that Usha has learned how to manage me."

Donald J. Trump