Who is JD Vance? Key facts about his family and net worth

JD Vance's journey is one of resilience, shaped by his childhood in Middletown, Ohio, and summers in Jackson, Kentucky. At 40, he is on the verge of becoming the youngest vice president since Nixon. His service in the Marine Corps as a public affairs officer in Iraq deepened his sense of duty and influenced his political beliefs.
Vance gained national recognition with his 2016 memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, where he openly discussed the hardships of his upbringing and offered a window into the socio-economic challenges of Appalachia. This work helped launch his political career and contributed to his evolving views on former President Trump.

JD Vance was raised in Middletown, Ohio, and spent summers with extended family in Jackson, Kentucky. His upbringing in these areas significantly influenced his perspectives. Vance turned 40 on August 2. He is now the youngest vice president-elect since Richard Nixon. After high school, Vance joined the Marine Corps and served as a public affairs officer in Iraq, adding a layer of depth to his political identity.
Vance married Usha Chilukuri Vance in 2014 after meeting at Yale Law School. Usha is a former litigator who left her job following Vance’s nomination for vice president. The couple has three young children: Ewan (7), Vivek (4), and Mirabel (2). Their family dynamics play an important role in Vance’s public image. Vance and his family live between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Alexandria, Virginia, reflecting his commitment to both his home state and his political responsibilities. Vance’s mother, Beverly Aikins, has been a significant figure in his life. Raised in Middletown, she is now 10 years sober, a journey Vance often highlights in his speeches. Aikins has travelled with him on the campaign trail, sharing her story to inspire others facing similar challenges.

Vance gained national recognition with his memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," published in 2016. The book offers a candid look at his turbulent childhood, including his mother’s struggles with addiction and the profound impact of his grandmother, whom he refers to as Mamaw. It has served as a lens through which many understand the socio-economic issues affecting the Rust Belt and Appalachia. The memoir was adapted into a film directed by Ron Howard, starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams.
Forbes estimates Vance's net worth at approximately $10 million, a substantial amount that highlights his rise from humble beginnings and positions him in circles that may have once felt uncomfortable to his younger self. According to his 2023 Senate financial disclosure, Vance earned about $55,000 in royalties from his memoir, with $121,000 reported in 2022. By July 2024, media reports indicated the book had sold nearly 2 million copies.
Vance entered politics in 2022, securing a Senate seat in Ohio by defeating former Democratic Representative Tim Ryan. His relationship with Trump has changed over the years. Initially critical, he once compared Trump to "America’s Hitler" and was hesitant to support him in 2016. However, as he prepared for his Senate campaign, Vance reversed his position, deleted the controversial tweets, and began endorsing Trump, eventually earning his backing.
As Vance helps Trump form his administration after the election, he is on track to become the nation's youngest vice president since 1953, when Richard Nixon, who was 40 just days before his inauguration, was sworn in as Dwight Eisenhower's vice president. The record for the youngest vice president is held by John C. Breckinridge, who was 36 when he assumed office in 1857 as James Buchanan's vice president.