Usha Vance: Meet the US' second lady with India connection, visiting Delhi with husband JD Vance

As JD Vance, the 50th Vice President of the United States, has landed in Delhi as part of his first official visit to India, all eyes are also on Usha Vance, the Second Lady of the United States.

Poised, accomplished, and deeply rooted in both American and Indian cultures, Usha Vance’s visit is drawing attention for more than just diplomatic reasons.

Vance, his Indian-origin wife Usha and their three children -- Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel -- are on a trip to India from on a four-day India visit from April 21-24.

Who is Usha Vance?

Born Usha Chilukuri, she is the daughter of Indian immigrants and was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. A stellar student, Usha earned her undergraduate degree in History from Yale University and went on to complete a Master of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. She later returned to Yale to pursue law, where her path crossed with JD Vance — the beginning of a partnership that would eventually take them to the White House.

Professionally, Usha Vance is a respected attorney who has held clerkships with some of the most influential judges in the United States. Most notably, she clerked for U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his time on the U.S. Court of Appeals. Her legal expertise and insight have made her a force in judicial circles, even as she prefers to remain out of the political spotlight.

Usha and JD Vance married in 2014 and have three children — Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel. Despite the demanding nature of their respective careers, the couple has consistently prioritized family. Known for her quiet strength and strategic mind, Usha is often cited as a significant behind-the-scenes influence on her husband’s views, especially his deep engagement with rural America, as chronicled in his best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

Usha's Indian roots

With her Indian heritage and cultural familiarity, Usha Vance is seen as a unique asset in the realm of diplomacy. Her presence during this visit is expected to resonate deeply with Indian audiences and policymakers alike.

She is the daughter of Indian immigrants Radhakrishna “Krish” Chilukuri and Lakshmi Chilukuri. Her family hails from Vadluru, a village in Andhra Pradesh, India. Her father, a mechanical engineer, graduated from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, and her mother is a molecular biologist.

Usha's family has a strong academic background. Her father, Radhakrishna, pursued higher studies in the United States and later became a lecturer at San Diego State University. Her mother, Lakshmi, holds a key position at the University of San Diego.

Usha Vance's Indian heritage has not only shaped her personal identity but also influenced her husband's perspectives. Their marriage included a Hindu ceremony, reflecting a blend of their diverse cultural traditions. JD Vance has acknowledged the impact of his wife's cultural background on his life choices, including embracing vegetarianism and exploring Hindu philosophy.