(November 13, 2024) Thousands of miles away in the village of Vadluru in Andhra Pradesh, the air was thick with hope and prayers. Villagers gathered at local temples, offering prayers for JD Vance’s success in the US elections, hoping that his victory would not only bring pride to their community but also strengthen the bond between India and the United States. Their prayers carried a personal note — a connection through Usha Bala Chilukuri Vance, the daughter of Indian immigrants whose roots trace back to this very region. As the news of Republican Party’s victory broke out, the village erupted in joy. Celebrations spilled into the streets symbolising their shared pride and dreams.
Usha Vance, an attorney and wife of JD Vance, poised to become the first Indian American and the first Hindu Second Lady of the United States, is set to create history as she steps into this significant role. “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,” declared incoming US President Donald Trump, resonating with applause that marked not just a political milestone but a historical and cultural one. At 38, Usha will also be the youngest second lady since the Truman administration, representing a story that combines heritage, ambition, and love.
Rooted in India, Rising in America
Her journey from an Indian immigrant family’s home in San Diego to the heart of American political life has captivated many. Her father, a mechanical engineer from IIT Madras and a lecturer at San Diego State University, and her mother, a molecular biologist and academic leader, instilled a deep respect for education and cultural roots.
Coming from a Telugu Brahmin family with roots in Vadluru, her great-grandfather left the village in search of better opportunities to find himself in the city of Chennai where Usha’s father, Krish Chilukuri, was raised before relocating to the US for higher studies. In 1986, they became parents to Usha and raised her in an upper-middle-class suburb. Her journey represents the story of many Indian American families who have strived for success while staying connected to their heritage. The US census highlights that the Indian American community grew by 50 percent to 4.8 million people from 2010 to 2020 —a proof of their rising influence and contributions.
Born in an Indian middle class family in the US, she enjoyed the best of both the worlds. A bright student, who was raised in an environment where academic excellence was highly valued, she found herself at the gates of Yale University for her bachelors in history and later at Yale Law School, where she first met JD Vance, the man who she would fall in love with.
From Yale Classmates to Partners
Their paths at Yale were woven together by shared intellectual curiosity, and the two first connected over a writing project. Usha recalled in an interview, “We were friends first; I mean, who wouldn’t want to be friends with JD?” But the friendship quickly deepened into something more. It was their differences that made their bond strong. JD, who had faced a childhood marked by family instability and economic hardship, found in Usha a grounding presence. “She saw potential in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself,” JD said in one of his interviews. Her support became a cornerstone during moments of self-doubt and frustration. Usha’s patience and understanding helped JD get through law school and deal with challenges from his past.
JD Vance and Usha Vance
Their love story was not without its cultural nuances. Usha, the daughter of Telugu-speaking immigrants, and JD, who grew up with Appalachian traditions, had to find ways to bring their worlds together. In 2014, they married in an interfaith ceremony that honoured both backgrounds: a friend of JD’s read from the Bible, and a Hindu priest blessed their union. Their marriage merged their distinct backgrounds into a partnership which is now on a global stage with JD Vance set to become the Vice President of the US.
An attorney by profession, her legal career, marked by clerkships with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh before his Supreme Court tenure, has solidified her reputation as a prominent and respected figure in the legal community.
A Steadfast Partner on the Campaign Trail
As JD began his political journey that eventually led to his vice-presidential campaign, Usha became more than a supportive partner; she was an advisor, confidante, and advocate. She introduced him at the 2024 Republican National Convention, sharing anecdotes that highlighted not just JD’s ambitions, but their shared values and the partnership they built.
“I grew up in San Diego in a middle class community with lovely parents, both immigrants from India, and a sister. That JD and I could meet at all, let alone fall in love and marry, is a testament to this great country.” – Usha Vance
The Global Indian added, “When JD met me, he approached our differences with curiosity and enthusiasm. He wanted to know everything about me. Although he is a meat and potato guy, he adapted to my vegetarian diet and learned to cook Indian food for mother.”
It was during this campaign that Usha’s poised presence onstage and at rallies became a subject of public admiration. Dressed in tailored suits and classic dresses, she embodied professionalism and grace, walking shoulder to shoulder with her husband as they garnered support across the nation.
A Milestone for the Indian American Community
Usha’s heritage has resonated deeply with the Indian American community, a population that has grown significantly, now standing as the second-largest Asian ethnic group in the US. Her story represents not only her success but also the dreams and achievements of many in the diaspora who balance being American with keeping their cultural roots. Usha’s journey is built on the academic and professional excellence common in immigrant families, but it is her personal strength and commitment to family that truly defines her.
Her father’s visits to their ancestral village in Andhra Pradesh and the family’s donations, like giving land for temples, show their strong connection to their roots. Usha’s rise to the national level brings pride to the Telugu community and others, showing how heritage and modern identity can blend smoothly.
As Usha prepares to assume her new role as the Second Lady of the United States, she carries with her not just the title, but the stories of generations who sought opportunities on foreign shores. Her journey—marked by love, resilience, and cultural pride—is a strong chapter in the story of American leadership. In a diverse nation, Usha Vance’s path from the suburbs of San Diego to the White House shows what can happen when different backgrounds come together for a shared purpose.
- Follow Usha Vance on LinkedIn
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Christine performing as a child[/caption]
Christine with Pandit Jasraj[/caption]
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