History of Usha Vance in Timeline

Usha Bala Chilukuri Vance is an American lawyer and the current second lady of the United States, assuming the role in 2025 through her marriage to Vice President JD Vance. Notably, she is the first Asian American and first Hindu American to hold this position. Before becoming second lady, Vance practiced as a trial lawyer and had the distinguished experience of working with justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

January 6, 1986: Usha Vance Born

On January 6, 1986, Usha Bala Chilukuri Vance (née Chilukuri) was born.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Graduated from Mt. Carmel High School

In 2003, Usha Vance graduated from Mt. Carmel High School, where she played the flute in the marching band.

2007: Graduated from Yale University

In 2007, Usha Vance graduated summa cum laude from Yale University with a bachelor's degree in history and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

2010: Received Master of Philosophy from Clare College, Cambridge

In 2010, Usha Vance received a Master of Philosophy in early modern history from Clare College, Cambridge, as a Gates Cambridge Scholar.

2013: Served as a law clerk for Judge Amul Thapar

From 2013 to 2014, Usha Vance served as a law clerk for Judge Amul Thapar of the District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

2013: Organized Discussion Group at Yale

In 2013, Usha Chilukuri and JD Vance collaborated to organize a discussion group at Yale focused on "social decline in white America".

2013: Obtained Juris Doctor from Yale Law School

In 2013, Usha Vance obtained her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.

2014: Served as a law clerk for Judge Brett Kavanaugh

From 2014 to 2015, Usha Vance served as a law clerk for Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

2014: Voted in the Democratic primaries

In 2014 Usha Chilukuri voted in the Democratic primaries.

2014: Married JD Vance in Kentucky

In 2014, Usha Chilukuri and JD Vance married in Kentucky, in an interfaith marriage ceremony.

2015: Finished clerking for Judge Brett Kavanaugh

In 2015, Usha Vance finished clerking for Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

2017: Served as a law clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts

From 2017 to 2018, Usha Vance served as a law clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts.

2017: Registered as an independent

In 2017 Usha Chilukuri was registered as an independent.

2018: Finished clerking for Chief Justice John Roberts

In 2018, Usha Vance finished serving as a law clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts.

2019: Admitted to the District of Columbia Bar

In 2019, Usha Vance was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar, and subsequently worked for a leading law firm handling civil litigation and appeals.

2019: Husband converted to Catholicism

In 2019, Usha Vance's husband JD Vance converted to Catholicism.

2020: Portrayed in 'Hillbilly Elegy'

In 2020, Usha Vance was portrayed by actress Freida Pinto in the film Hillbilly Elegy, a film about the life of her husband.

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2021: Political Contribution to Blake Masters

In 2021, Usha Vance made a political contribution to national conservative Blake Masters in his campaign to represent Arizona in the U.S. Senate.

2022: Voted in the Republican primary

In 2022 Usha Chilukuri voted in the Republican primary in which her husband was a candidate.

July 2024: Modeled a new kind of Republican image-making

In July 2024, The New York Times reported that Usha Vance "models a new kind of Republican image-making".

July 2024: Delivered Introductory Address at Republican National Convention

In July 2024, Usha Vance delivered the introductory address for her husband, JD Vance, at the Republican National Convention.

July 2024: Resigned from law firm job

In July 2024, Usha Vance resigned from her law firm job. She also delivered the introductory address for her husband, JD Vance, at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

July 2024: Resigned from Munger, Tolles & Olson

In July 2024, Usha Vance resigned from her position as an associate at the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson.

November 2024: Assumed Role of Second Lady of the United States Designate

In November 2024, Usha Vance became the Second Lady of the United States Designate as JD Vance became the vice president-elect.

2024: Mention of husband adapting to vegetarian diet

At the 2024 Republican National Convention, Usha Vance said her husband has "adapted to my vegetarian diet and learned to cook food from my mother—Indian food."

January 2025: Became the First Asian American and First Hindu Second Lady

In January 2025, Usha Vance became the first Asian American, first Indian American, first Telugu, and first Hindu Second Lady.

February 2025: Accompanied Husband on Visit to France and Germany

In February 2025, Usha Vance accompanied her husband on a visit to France and Germany. Also in February 2025, President Trump appointed Usha Vance to serve as a member of the board of trustees of John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

March 2025: Selected to Lead United States Presidential Delegation to Italy

In March 2025, Usha Vance was selected to lead the United States presidential delegation to Italy for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

March 2025: Visit to Greenland Causes Diplomatic Spat

In March 2025, Usha Vance went on a visit to Greenland, which caused a diplomatic spat. Prime minister Mute Egede called the visit "a provocation", and said she is not welcome in Greenland, noting that "until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working very closely, but that time is over." The government condemned the visit as "highly aggressive." The Greenland government has accused the United States of foreign interference in its affairs.

2025: Fashion Choices Praised at Presidential Inauguration

In 2025, U.S. fashion media widely praised Usha Vance's fashion choices at the presidential inauguration.

2025: Became Second Lady of the United States

In 2025, Usha Vance became the Second Lady of the United States, being married to Vice President JD Vance. She is the first Asian American and first Hindu American second lady.