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Politics & World • Political Spouses

Usha Vance

Usha Vance is an American lawyer and the second lady of the United States, serving since 2025 as the wife of Vice President JD Vance.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Usha Vance is an American lawyer and the second lady of the United States, serving since 2025 as the wife of Vice President JD Vance. Born Usha Bala Chilukuri in San Diego, California, she is the first Indian American and the first practicing Hindu to hold the role.

Early life and education

Usha Vance was born in 1986 in San Diego, California, and was raised by Indian immigrant parents. She studied at Yale Law School and also at Cambridge.

Before entering the national spotlight, Vance worked as a corporate litigator. She also clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts and for Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he was a federal appellate judge.

Marriage and family

Usha Vance met JD Vance at Yale Law School and married him in Kentucky in 2014. The couple has four children: Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel, and a fourth child born in 2026.

Second lady of the United States

Vance became second lady when JD Vance became vice president in 2025. She is the first Indian American and first practicing Hindu to serve in the role.

Key facts

  • Usha Vance became second lady of the United States in 2025.
  • She is married to JD Vance, the 50th vice president of the United States.
  • She was born in San Diego to Indian immigrant parents.
  • She worked as a corporate lawyer and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court justices John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh.
  • She is the first Indian American and first practicing Hindu second lady.
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Canadian context

Usha Vance has relevance for Canadian readers mainly as a figure in U.S. politics and as an example of a political spouse with a cross-cultural, interfaith family background.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Usha Vance?
Usha Vance is an American lawyer and the second lady of the United States, married to Vice President JD Vance.
What is Usha Vance's background?
She was born in San Diego in 1986 to Indian immigrant parents and later studied at Yale Law School and Cambridge.
How did Usha and JD Vance meet?
They met at Yale Law School and married in 2014.
What does Usha Vance do for work?
She is a lawyer and previously worked as a corporate litigator and judicial clerk.
How many children does Usha Vance have?
She and JD Vance have four children.
Why is Usha Vance notable historically?
She is the first Indian American and first practicing Hindu to serve as second lady of the United States.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usha_Vance
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, marriage to JD Vance, second lady role, and first Indian American second lady claim.
  2. The White House — https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/usha-vance/
    Supports: Second lady role, spouse of JD Vance, and their children.
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Usha-Vance
    Supports: Birth details, second lady role, first Indian American and practicing Hindu in the role, and age-related distinction.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/15/style/usha-vance-jd-vance.html
    Supports: Career as a corporate litigator, clerkships, Yale and Cambridge education, and meeting/marriage details.
  5. Associated Press — https://www.apnews.com/article/jd-usha-vance-baby-family-b488eb2e698ea2159d15427ad97e1151
    Supports: Birth of the couple's fourth child in 2026.