JD Vance’s remarks about career-oriented women—labeling them as lonely cat ladies or “unhappy” individuals who choose work over family—might imply that his wife fits the image of a conventional homemaker.

However, Usha Vance is anything but; she represents a successful, high-achieving daughter of Indian immigrants.

Just ask her childhood music instructor, Rose Muralikrishnan, who introduced Usha to classical South Indian singing when she was about six years old.

Muralikrishnan, a musician based in California, expresses immense pride in the accomplishments of her “brilliant” former student, who is now making waves in national politics.

“I thought, ‘That’s my little girl!’,” Muralikrishnan recalls her reaction when Usha introduced her husband at the Republican National Convention in July. “I immediately sent a message to her mom.”

Usha was among the top students at Yale Law School (as noted by her peers) where she met JD, currently the junior senator from Ohio and Donald Trump’s running mate. She held distinguished clerkships and practiced as a corporate litigator for a prestigious firm until July.

According to campaign officials, she plays a significant role in preparing him for Tuesday night’s debate against the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate, Tim Walz. She also advised him on his acceptance speech during the Republican National Convention.

Usha Chilukuri was born to Hindu Indian immigrants and raised in San Diego. Her family was part of a close-knit community of Indian professionals, many of whom, including her parents, worked in academia.

Her mother, Lakshmi Chilukuri, holds a provost position at the University of San Diego, and her father, an engineer, teaches at San Diego State University. Remarkably, her great-aunt is the oldest professor in India, still instructing college physics at the age of 96.

However, Usha Vance also represents a complex figure for those who have watched her journey from being a registered Democrat to believing that Trump was partly responsible for the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, to potentially stepping into the role of Second Lady.

Similarly, her husband transitioned from being more carefree to a “never Trumper” to becoming Trump’s running mate.

Conversations with close friends and advisors of the couple, as well as insights from JD Vance’s memoir, reveal that he has relied heavily on Usha throughout the last fifteen years, both in his personal life and career, and that their ideologies have syncopated as they matured together.

In “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance depicts his wife as his “spirit guide,” recalling an instance at an elegant dinner where she discreetly advised him on which cutlery to use while reminding him that “not every perceived offense warrants a feud.”

Educational Journey and Political Development

Charles Tyler, a Yale classmate, expressed no surprise at their compatibility. JD was the more social one while Usha was the diligent and studious type, yet both shared a warmth and thoughtfulness.

In his memoir, JD reflects on their partnership during their first significant writing assignment, describing Usha as a rare blend of all the admirable traits one could possess: intelligent, industrious, tall, and beautiful.

According to Tyler, Usha’s consideration for others truly shone through.

“If she (Usha) learned that you just went through something major and were likely overwhelmed, she would be the one to bring over food or offer to take care of your dog,” he noted.

Despite her busy academic schedule, Usha Vance was always aware of what was going on in her friends’ personal lives.

During the initial round of job interviews, Vance requested to borrow one of Eimers’ ties.

“He picked a purple one ‒ it’s one of my favorites,” Eimers noted. “He ended up unintentionally holding onto that tie for a few weeks until Usha kindly reminded him that I needed it.”

The tie that was temporarily “kidnapped” became a playful reference between them throughout their three years in school, he added.

While at law school, JD Vance was “clearly conservative,” but Usha Vance opted not to express strong opinions on political matters in front of him, as noted by Tyler.

In his memoir, Vance recounts his upbringing in a working-class area of Middletown, Ohio, where he hardly knew his father, witnessed his mother’s battle with addiction, and was cared for by his grandparents, who faced their own marital difficulties.

“He had a series of stepfathers, which posed real challenges to success in life,” Tyler explained. “I had no idea he had overcome all of that.”

Following law school, Usha Vance, a registered Democrat until 2014, worked for conservative judges, including Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court John G. Roberts Jr., and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh when he was on the appeals court.

‘No daylight’ between them

Jai Chabria, a family friend and political consultant, remarked that Usha Vance has excellent instincts, and that they function as “a team in every respect.”

He described her as a “great advisor,” saying she actively participated in his debate preparations and influenced his responses.

“When he delivers a strong speech, she offers him her views, and he values her input,” he stated.

When asked about her perspective on some of his more contentious remarks and his previous criticisms of Trump, Chabria claimed they “consult each other before making significant decisions.”

“There was a period when he didn’t think Donald Trump would make a good president,” he shared, attributing this to the media’s portrayal of Trump. “Then he realized Trump was actually quite effective, positively impacting people’s lives.”

Regarding his wife’s views on Trump, he stated:

“They are completely aligned on today’s political landscape.”

In a Fox interview, Vance shared that before her husband declared his candidacy for Senate in 2021, they engaged in numerous serious discussions.

“Our priority is ensuring a stable, normal, and happy life for our three children,” she explained.

When asked about her response to her husband referring to the government as run by a “bunch of childless cat ladies,” she defended him in the same interview.

She expressed a desire for people to focus less on dissecting “this three-word phrase or that three-word phrase.”

“What he meant to convey is that being a parent in this country can be extremely challenging,” she remarked. “Sometimes, our policies worsen that struggle.”

Republican National Convention

On stage at the Republican National Convention, Usha Vance presented herself in a straightforward manner ‒ opting for minimal makeup and a look that was not tailored for high definition. She wore a simple blue dress and had some grey hair visible amidst her shoulder-length locks.

She characterized her husband as a “working-class man who has overcome childhood challenges” that she found difficult to comprehend.

“When JD first met me, he embraced our differences with curiosity and eagerness. He wanted to learn everything about my background and experiences,” she shared.

She regarded their marriage as a testament to “this wonderful country.”

“Although he enjoys traditional meat-and-potatoes meals, he adjusted to my vegetarian lifestyle and even learned to prepare dishes from my Indian heritage,” she added.

For Muralikrishnan, a music teacher, this moment was exhilarating.

“I couldn’t believe where she was speaking from,” she expressed, “At this moment, she is making all of us feel very proud.”