March 24, 2025
Washington, D.C. — Usha Vance, née Usha Bala Chilukuri, has embarked on a remarkable journey from her roots in San Diego to her current role as the Second Lady of the United States. As the wife of Vice President JD Vance, Usha has become a prominent figure in American political and social spheres, bringing with her a rich background in law and a unique personal history.
Early Life and Education
Born on January 6, 1986, in San Diego County, California, Usha is the daughter of Indian immigrants from Andhra Pradesh. Her father, Radhakrishna “Krish” Chilukuri, is a mechanical engineer and lecturer at San Diego State University, while her mother, Lakshmi Chilukuri, is a molecular biologist and provost at the University of California, San Diego. Raised in the Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood, Usha exhibited academic excellence from an early age.
She graduated summa cum laude from Yale University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in history. Her academic pursuits continued at Clare College, Cambridge, where she earned a Master of Philosophy in early modern history as a Gates Cambridge Scholar in 2010. Usha furthered her legal education at Yale Law School, obtaining her Juris Doctor in 2013.
Legal Career
Usha’s legal career is distinguished by her clerkships with several prominent judges. She served as a law clerk for Judge Amul Thapar, Judge Brett Kavanaugh during his tenure on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court. These experiences provided her with invaluable insights into the American judicial system.
In 2019, Usha was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and joined the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, where she specialized in civil litigation and appeals. Her cases spanned various sectors, including higher education, local government, entertainment, and technology. She resigned from her position in July 2024 to support her husband’s vice-presidential campaign.
Personal Life
Usha met JD Vance at Yale Law School, and the couple married in 2014. They are parents to three children: Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel. The Vance family resides at Number One Observatory Circle, the official residence of the Vice President. Balancing her roles as a mother and the Second Lady, Usha continues to be an advocate for family values and education.
Political Evolution
Throughout her life, Usha’s political affiliations have evolved. She voted in the Democratic primaries in 2014, registered as an independent in 2017, and participated in the Republican primary in 2022, supporting her husband’s candidacy. Her diverse experiences reflect a nuanced understanding of the American political landscape.
Role as Second Lady
As the Second Lady, Usha Vance has embraced her platform to champion causes close to her heart, including education reform, support for military families, and initiatives promoting literacy and community engagement. Her unique perspective as the first Asian American and first Hindu American to hold this position brings a rich cultural dimension to the role, inspiring many across the nation.
