Vice President JD Vance’s journey with Usha Bala Chilukuri is more than just a romantic tale — it’s a blend of love, cultural connection, and a few flavorful recipes along the way.
A Special Visit to Usha’s Roots
Vance and his wife Usha recently wrapped up a meaningful four-day trip to India, traveling through Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. But while Vance came as a U.S. official, it was Usha who drew much of the attention.
As the daughter of Indian immigrants, Usha was warmly welcomed and quickly became the center of admiration. Vance even joked, “She’s kind of a celebrity here — maybe even more than I am.”
During their trip, they visited some of India’s most iconic landmarks — including the Akshardham Temple, Amer Fort, and the Taj Mahal — turning the diplomatic tour into a deeply personal journey, especially for Usha.
From Law School to Lifelong Partners
Their relationship began during their time at Yale Law School, where two very different backgrounds found unexpected harmony. Usha, raised in a traditional Indian-American household, helped Vance, who grew up in a working-class Appalachian family, navigate the world of elite academia.
In Hillbilly Elegy, Vance wrote about how important Usha was in his life, describing her as a rare kind of person — someone who embodied every good quality he admired.
The two married in 2014 in an interfaith ceremony in Kentucky, merging their traditions into one shared future.
Learning Love — and Indian Cooking
What started as a cultural exchange turned into something deeper. Not only did Vance embrace Usha’s Indian heritage — he got hands-on in the kitchen, too.
Despite his all-American taste for meat and potatoes, Vance took to vegetarian cooking, thanks in part to lessons from Usha’s mother. Over time, he mastered dishes like chana masala and even lamb curry, making Indian cuisine a staple in their home.
At the 2024 Republican National Convention, Usha reflected on this with affection: “He adapted to my vegetarian diet and learned to cook Indian food,” she said, smiling.
On a podcast with Joe Rogan, Vance shared his appreciation for Indian food, praising dishes like paneer and chickpeas and poking fun at lab-grown meat as “processed junk” next to real home cooking.
A Marriage Rooted in Mutual Growth
For Vance, marrying Usha wasn’t just about love — it was about growing into a new understanding of family, tradition, and faith. He credits her with helping him reconnect to those values in a deeper way.
Their bond — visible on campaign stages and in international visits — is grounded in respect, authenticity, and a shared curiosity about each other’s worlds.
As Usha once said, “Before I knew it, he’d become an essential part of my family — someone I couldn’t imagine life without.”
