JD Vance gave a special shout-out to his children during his vice presidential nomination acceptance speech on Wednesday, July 17, at the Republican National Convention.
The Ohio politician said “If you’re watching, Daddy loves you very much,” he then playfully added, “But get your butts in bed; it’s 10 o’clock.”
JD Vance and his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, are blessed with three children: Ewan, who is 7, Vivek, who is 4, and Mirabel, who is two.
Although JD Vance tends to keep his family life private, occasional glimpses into their lives reveal a close-knit and loving family.
Aside from being the nominated vice-presidential candidate for the Republican Party, Vance is the author of the bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” published in 2016. Hillbilly Elegy told of his upbringing in Appalachia and also ignited a conversation about the socio-economic conditions of white working-class people.
Vance’s dream has always been to be a good husband and father, as he mentioned in his speech at the Republican National Convention. He talked about his vision of the American dream, emphasizing the importance of his children in his life.
He said, “My most important American dream was to become a good husband and a good dad. I wanted to give my kids things I didn’t have when I was growing up.”
He added, “And that’s the accomplishment I’m proudest of.”
Ewan Vance
Ewan Vance, the eldest of JD and Usha Vance’s children was born in June 2017. From the outset, JD Vance’s excitement about fatherhood was evident. He and Usha discovered Ewan’s gender early in the pregnancy, a decision driven by JD’s impatience and eagerness to know more about their first child. Vance and his wife, Usha, revealed this news three weeks before the birth of Ewan.
“We found out right away because JD, there was no way he could wait,” Usha Vance said.
Vance added in his defense, “I wanted to know at like nine weeks, but that’s physically impossible.”
Notable public moments
While JD Vance has shielded his children from the public eye, Ewan has made sporadic appearances. For instance, in August 2022, JD Vance shared a family photo at the Ohio State Fair on Instagram, celebrating his birthday and reminiscing about visiting the fair with Usha eleven years prior.
Vivek Vance
Three years after Ewan, in February 2020, the Vance family welcomed their second son, Vivek. Vivek’s name reflects the family’s diverse cultural heritage and was chosen with deep significance.
Notable public moments
Vivek gained some attention in February 2024, when JD Vance marked his son’s fourth birthday unconventionally. During a Senate debate on Ukraine aid, JD Vance mentioned missing Vivek’s birthday dinner. To compensate, he read Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” into the Senate record, hoping Vivek could watch it at home later (The Hill).
“I’m sorry, Vivek, that I can’t be with you for your birthday dinner, but I want you to know that Daddy loves you very much, and I’m going to read this into the record because maybe you can watch it at home,” he said.”
Mirabel Vance
The youngest member of the Vance family, Mirabel Rose Vance, was born in December 2021. Announcing her birth, JD Vance shared the joyous news on Instagram, expressing gratitude for their early Christmas present.
Vance wrote on Instagram at the time of the baby’s arrival, “We were blessed with an early Christmas present this year. Everyone, please meet Mirabel Rose Vance, our first girl. Mama and baby both doing great, and we’re feeling very grateful this Christmas season,”
Notable public moments
Mirabel has appeared in various light-hearted moments shared by JD Vance. In a campaign blooper reel in 2022, she made a cameo, showcasing the balance JD Vance maintains between his professional and personal life.
Parenting and Family Life
JD and Usha Vance have occasionally discussed their approach to parenting, emphasizing open communication and mutual respect despite their different religious backgrounds.
“There are a lot of things that we just agree on, especially when it comes to family life and how to raise our kids. And so I think the answer is, We just talk a lot,” she said.
Usha has highlighted JD’s gentle nature, which she believes will make him a great father.
“He’s a very gentle person. I think that comes across in the way he tells his story. But we have two dogs, and the way that he treats them, they’re like his babies. So I’ve seen him with vulnerable creatures for many years now,” she said.”
