JD Vance’s life has been full of challenges. Raised by his grandparents after a difficult childhood with a drug-addicted mother, he turned his life around by joining the army. Later, at Yale, he met his wife, Usha, and they’ve been together ever since, now with three children.
However, Vance recently sparked outrage on social media after a comment about Usha at a public event. While praising her, he joked that she “has no choice” but to smile and laugh at everything he says on camera, which many viewed as demeaning and controlling.
Vance’s early years in Middletown, Ohio, were marked by a troubled home life. His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother exhibited violent behavior. His memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, recounts these struggles, including a terrifying moment when his mother threatened to crash their car. After being adopted by his grandparents, he struggled with finding direction, turning to drugs before enlisting in the Marine Corps.
Vance later attended Ohio State and Yale, where he met Usha, who was a supportive presence throughout his life. Usha, born to Indian immigrants, had a distinguished academic background, including a Gates Scholarship and a degree from Cambridge. The couple married in a Hindu ceremony, and JD credits Usha’s influence in shaping his personal and spiritual beliefs.
Usha, a former lawyer at Munger, Tolles & Olson, stepped back from her career to support JD, especially during his vice-presidential campaign. However, Vance’s recent remarks about her have left many questioning his respect for her, with some even suggesting she might be in an unhealthy relationship. Despite their challenges, the couple remains close, with Usha by his side through thick and thin.