Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Bala Chilukuri, recently returned from a four-day trip to India, where Usha—daughter of Indian immigrants—was warmly celebrated. “She’s a bit of a celebrity here,” Vance joked, as the couple visited landmarks like the Taj Mahal and Akshardham Temple, honoring Usha’s cultural roots.
Their love story began at Yale Law School, where Usha’s traditional Indian-American upbringing met Vance’s Appalachian background. Vance later called her his “spirit guide” in Hillbilly Elegy, praising her character and grounding presence. They married in 2014 in an interfaith ceremony blending their values and traditions.
One touching aspect of their relationship is Vance’s embrace of Usha’s culture — even learning Indian cooking from her mother. Usha shared, “He adapted to my vegetarian diet and learned to cook Indian food.” Vance has even raved about paneer and chickpeas on podcasts.
Their relationship, marked by deep respect and shared values, has shaped Vance’s outlook on faith, family, and identity — a bond rooted not just in love, but in curiosity and cultural understanding.
