World
India
When U.S. Vice President JD Vance landed in India for his first official visit, it wasn’t just about politics and speeches. Right beside him was his wife, Usha Vance—someone whose connection to India adds a very personal layer to the trip. For Usha, this visit isn’t just about standing beside her husband on a global stage. It’s about reconnecting with her family’s roots.
Usha, born Usha Chilukuri, is the daughter of Indian immigrants. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area but never lost touch with her Indian identity. Now, as the wife of the Vice President, she’s stepping into a moment that’s both public and deeply personal.
A Smart Legal Mind with Indian Roots
Usha isn’t just known as JD Vance’s wife. She’s an accomplished attorney with some serious legal experience under her belt. She studied History at Yale, got a Master’s from Cambridge, and later went back to Yale for law school. That’s where she met JD.
She went on to clerk for some of the biggest names in the U.S. Supreme Court—Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh. In legal circles, she’s respected for her intellect and sharp thinking. But outside the courtroom, she’s kept a pretty low profile.
Still, people who know JD say Usha’s been a major influence in his life—not just as a partner, but as someone who’s shaped his understanding of the world. His memoir Hillbilly Elegy—and even the movie that followed—dives into rural America’s struggles, something Usha helped him see through a different lens.
Usha’s Andhra Pradesh Connection
While Usha has always lived in the U.S., her family originally comes from Andhra Pradesh in India. Her great-grandmother, Dr. Chilikuri Santhamma, still lives there and teaches physics even at the age of 96! She travels 60 kilometers every day to teach at Centurion University in Vizianagaram. Talk about dedication.
Dr. Santhamma recently shared that she and Usha have never met in person. “Usha is the daughter of my brother-in-law’s son,” she said, explaining the family link. Even though they’ve been separated by time and distance, Dr. Santhamma hopes they can connect someday. “If I ever have the opportunity to speak with Usha, I would encourage her to visit Visakhapatnam and help foster good relations between the United States and India,” she said.
A Marriage That Merged Two Worlds
When JD and Usha got married back in 2014, their wedding included both Hindu and Christian traditions. It was more than just a blending of cultures—it was a merging of beliefs, values, and life paths.
Back then, JD was still figuring out his faith. He grew up Christian in a working-class family in Ohio but had drifted away from religion by the time he reached law school. Meeting Usha changed that. Her Hindu upbringing, complete with rituals, prayers, and a deep sense of dharma (moral duty), gave him a new perspective on spirituality.
Her quiet influence slowly helped him rediscover faith—not through pressure, but through example. Hinduism introduced him to inner discipline and the idea of service without expecting anything in return. By 2018, JD had converted to Catholicism, something he now calls a huge part of his life and political beliefs. But it all started in a home where Diwali lamps were lit and Sanskrit prayers were chanted.
A Warm Welcome for the Telugu Damaad
In India, a son-in-law isn’t just another family member—he’s often treated like royalty. And with JD Vance married into a Telugu family, many Indians see his visit as more than just official business. It’s a homecoming.
In Telugu households, there’s a lot of pride that someone from their community is now part of one of the most powerful families in America. JD isn’t just the Vice President—he’s their damaad. And that carries a special kind of affection.
As AI Mason, a real estate advisor close to the Trump family, put it: “Usha Vance is a highly accomplished attorney and daughter of Indian immigrants—and her husband brings youth and diversity to the Trump ticket.” He added, “She knows the Indian culture and all about India. She can be a big help to her husband in navigating great ties between the USA and India.”
Faith, Family, and Public Life
What makes Usha’s story so compelling isn’t just her Indian roots or impressive legal background—it’s how she’s helped shape JD’s values and public life. She brought a different kind of moral compass into their marriage, one rooted in Hindu ideas like seva (selfless service) and karma yoga (doing your duty without attachment to reward). Those values have quietly influenced JD’s political focus on working-class dignity and rural America.
They’re raising three kids—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—in a home that honors both traditions. Their family life blends cultures, languages, and faiths in a way that feels very modern and very real.
Not Just Photo-Ops—This Visit Has Heart
As the Vance family moves through India—visiting places like Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra—it’s easy to imagine the usual round of speeches, meetings, and photo-ops. But there’s something deeper going on here.
They’re not just visiting temples and monuments. They’re reconnecting with a part of their family’s past. And that emotional layer makes this visit feel different.
For many Indians watching from afar, it’s not just about politics—it’s about pride. Seeing someone like Usha, who grew up Indian-American, now standing at the heart of international diplomacy, is inspiring.
A Reflection of Today’s America
This story also says something bigger about where the U.S. is today. JD Vance—Catholic, raised by a single mom in Ohio—is now closely tied to Indian culture through his marriage. It’s a reminder that America isn’t built on one identity. It’s built on many.
And Usha’s journey—fluent in Telugu, grounded in Hindu values, and deeply respected in American law—is a powerful symbol of what’s possible when worlds come together.
