Usha Vance. Most people know her as the woman standing next to the Vice President. But honestly? She’s a lot more than just a political spouse or a background figure in a campaign ad. Since January 20, 2025, she has been the Second Lady of the United States, but her story started way before the White House was even a thought.
You’ve probably heard bits and pieces. She’s a lawyer. She’s the child of Indian immigrants. She met JD at Yale. But if you really want to understand who she is, you have to look at the details that don't always make the evening news.
Who is Usha Vance? The basics and beyond
She was born Usha Chilukuri in 1986. San Diego was her backyard. Her parents, Krish and Lakshmi, moved to the U.S. from India and basically built a life centered on education and hard work. Her dad is an engineer; her mom is a biologist and a provost at UC San Diego. It was a "bookworm" household, according to her childhood friends.
Usha didn't just coast through school. She crushed it.
She went to Yale for her undergrad and graduated summa cum laude. Then she headed over to the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. After that? Back to Yale for law school. That’s where the "Judusha" nickname started. Her classmates literally mashed her name and JD’s together because they were inseparable.
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The "Yale Spirit Guide"
In his book Hillbilly Elegy, JD Vance calls Usha his "Yale spirit guide." It sounds kinda cheesy, but he meant it. He was a guy from the Rust Belt who didn't know which fork to use at fancy dinners. Usha was the one who taught him the social codes of the elite world.
There’s this famous story in the book where JD is at a high-stakes law firm dinner. He’s confused by the silverware and literally ducks into the bathroom to call Usha for advice. She told him to start from the outside and work his way in. Small moments like that changed the trajectory of his life.
A legal career that most lawyers dream of
Before she was Second Lady, Usha was a powerhouse litigator. We aren't talking about small-town traffic court here. She clerked for some of the biggest names in the American legal system:
- Judge Amul Thapar: Eastern District of Kentucky.
- Judge Brett Kavanaugh: When he was on the D.C. Circuit.
- Chief Justice John Roberts: At the Supreme Court of the United States.
She eventually landed at Munger, Tolles & Olson. It’s a law firm known for having a "radically progressive" culture, which is an interesting contrast to her husband’s conservative politics. She worked there for years, handling complex civil litigation for big clients like Disney and Paramount. She didn't quit until July 2024, right when JD was announced as Donald Trump’s running mate.
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The personal side: Religion, family, and being a vegetarian
Usha is a practicing Hindu. This has been a topic of a lot of conversation because JD is a devout Catholic. They’ve been pretty open about how they make it work. When they got married in 2014, they actually had a separate Hindu blessing ceremony.
They have three kids: Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel.
Usha has mentioned in interviews that her Hindu upbringing made her parents "really good people," and she’s stayed true to those roots. She’s a lifelong vegetarian. In fact, JD has joked that he’s had to learn how to cook Indian food for her. Apparently, he’s gotten pretty good at it, though he’s also known for his Southern-style biscuits. It’s a bit of a cultural mashup in the Vance kitchen.
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What she’s doing now in 2026
Life at the Naval Observatory—the official residence of the Vice President—is a big shift from their old life in Cincinnati. In 2025 and 2026, Usha has stepped into the role of Second Lady with a mix of traditional and modern vibes. She’s been seen at military events, like the Red Cross care-package event at Joint Base Andrews, and she’s traveled to India on official visits where she was treated like a total celebrity.
She’s also a trustee for the Washington National Opera and the Kennedy Center. She hasn't completely left her intellectual roots behind. She’s often spotted with a book under her arm—famously, she was seen carrying The Iliad during the campaign.
Dealing with the spotlight
It hasn't all been easy. Usha has faced some pretty nasty racist attacks from far-right figures because of her heritage. JD has been very vocal about defending her, calling the attacks "ridiculous" and saying he’s a "lucky man" to be married to her. She usually handles it with a lot of poise, staying focused on her family and her duties.
Actionable insights for following her journey
If you're trying to keep up with what the Second Lady is doing, there are a few places to look.
- Watch the White House official site: Her office releases updates on her specific initiatives, particularly those involving military families and the arts.
- Look for diplomatic news: Because of her background, she plays a unique role in U.S.-India relations. Her visits to India often signal shifts in "soft power" diplomacy.
- Check the arts scene: Her work with the Kennedy Center and the Washington National Opera is where she spends a lot of her "free" time.
Usha Vance is a reminder that the person beside the politician often has a resume that’s just as long—if not longer—than the person in the headlines. She’s navigating a world that’s half-litigation, half-politics, and entirely under a microscope.