JD Vance: From Troubled Childhood to Vice President
JD Vance, 40, rose to prominence with his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, chronicling his turbulent childhood in Middletown, Ohio. Raised by a drug-addicted mother, Vance and his half-sister, Lindsay, were eventually adopted by their grandparents after years of instability and trauma. His book, later adapted into a film, highlighted the struggles of working-class Americans.
After high school, Vance served four years in the Marine Corps, including a deployment to Iraq, where he worked in public affairs. His military experience helped shape his discipline and communication skills, setting the stage for a future in politics. He later earned degrees from Ohio State and Yale Law School, then worked as a venture capitalist before founding his own firm.
Vance’s memoir brought him national attention, and in 2022 he won a U.S. Senate seat from Ohio. Although once critical of Donald Trump, he later aligned with him and was chosen as Trump’s running mate. In 2025, he became the youngest vice president since Nixon.
His vice presidency began with minor health issues—he underwent sinus surgery just weeks before inauguration but quickly returned to work. Recently, he faced criticism for remarks about Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, highlighting the challenges ahead for the new administration.