Indian-American lawyer Usha Chilukuri Vance has captivated national attention as she prepares to become the first Indian-American Second Lady of the United States. Usha’s ascent follows the victory of Donald Trump and her husband, Ohio Senator JD Vance, in the presidential election.

Usha stood by Vance as Trump declared victory on Wednesday, marking his return to the White House. The moment underscored Usha’s inspiring journey, from her early days as the daughter of Indian immigrants to her forthcoming role on the national stage.

Dedicated bookworm with a passion for excellence

Raised in a San Diego suburb, Usha was known for her academic prowess and leadership. Friends recall her as a dedicated bookworm with a passion for excellence. She graduated as a Gates Scholar, earning degrees from Cambridge and Yale Law School before clerking for Supreme Court justices and working as a civil litigation attorney at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP.

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Usha and JD Vance met while studying at Yale Law and married in 2014 in Kentucky, later celebrating their union with a Hindu priest’s blessing at a separate event. The couple has three children: sons Ewan and Vivek, and daughter Mirabel.

Despite the political spotlight, Usha remains rooted in her heritage. Her ancestral village, Vadluru in Andhra Pradesh, often garners attention as a testament to her Indian roots. JD Vance has highlighted her brilliance on numerous occasions, telling during a podcast in 2020, “She is way more accomplished than I am. People don’t realize just how brilliant she is.”

While Usha has expressed hesitance about public exposure, she has embraced the role with grace, balancing their interfaith marriage with open dialogue and mutual respect. “There are a lot of things that we just agree on…especially when it comes to family life,” she noted in a joint interview.

Life came full circle during Trump’s acceptance speech in Palm Beach, Florida, when he pointed to the couple and declared, “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.”