J.D. Vance is an American Senator and Author. He was victorious in the Ohio Senate race in 2022 and officially assumed office in January 2023. Vance’s net worth is estimated to be $7 million as of 2023.
Vance, renowned for his authorship, clinched the Republican nomination, with a significant boost from an endorsement by former President Donald Trump.
Let’s delve into the life of JD Vance, his biography, family and relationships, physical looks, career and the path through which he built his wealth and achieved notable success.
J.D Vance Wiki/ Biography
Born on August 2, 1984, James Donald Bowman( birth name) is 39 years old as of 2023. Vance was born in Middletown, Ohio, to Bev Vance and Donald Bowman.
His parents divorced when he was young and he had to grow up with his sister, living with their grandparents.

After his mother remarried, he changed his name from Bawman to James Hamel, taking his stepfather’s surname. J.D. later dropped the name Hamel as he grew into adulthood and maintained his surname.

In an interview, J.D. had said that he had an abusive childhood. His mother jumped through terrible relationships and she was not happy. This was a sad thing for Vance but he didn’t let it get to him.

Vance attended Middletown High School from. Upon his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marines and served in the Iraq war. He served in the II Marine Aircraft Wing as a combat correspondent.
Vance stated that his time with the U.S. military helped shape him into an adult. He further said that military service helped him cultivate a mindset that significantly impacted his success.
After he left the United States Marines, Vance enrolled at the Ohio State University. The university’s Department of Political Science holds significant recognition, having played a pivotal role in the founding of two international relations schools.
Similar to Rudy Giuliani, Vance obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy, subsequently achieving his Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School in 2013.
Full Name: | James David Vance |
Known As: | J.D. Vance |
Birth Place: | Middletown, Ohio |
Birthday: | August 2, 1984 |
Zodiac Sign: | Leo |
Net Worth: | $7 Million |
Age: | 39 years |
Currently, Live In: | Cincinnati, Ohio |
Nationality: | American |
Religion: | Christian |
Ethnicity: | Scottish |
College: | Ohio State University |
Profession: | Senator, Author |
Social Media Accounts: | Instagram: teamjdvance
Facebook: J D Vance Twitter: @JDVance1 |
J.D Vance Family, Wife, And, Relationship
J.D. Vance comes from a broken home which he reflected in his book, and Netflix movie, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His parents had a divorce when he was young and his mother remarried several times. As a result, he witnessed a lot of abuse and violence from different step fathers.
He would go ahead to live with his grandparents James and Bonnie who raised him and his sister, Lindsay Ratliff. Ratliff took care of J.D. while their mother was partying and doing drugs.

Lindsay is currently married to her husband of 17 years and they have three kids.

His book pays special homage to his grandparents for taking care of them.


J.D. Vance got married to his Law School classmate, Usha Chilukuri, in 2014. Usha works as a litigator in the San Francisco and D.C. offices of Munger, Tolles & Olson law firm. She specializes in intricate litigation and appeals spanning various sectors, with a particular emphasis on higher education and local government.

James David and Usha Chilukuri Vance are parents to three children. His first son’s name is Ewan Blaine. The names of the other two kids are not known to the public. Their youngest childd was born in December 2021.

Father Name: | Donald Bowman |
Mother Name: | Bev Vance |
Brother Name: | None |
Sister Name: | Lindsay Ratliff |
Marital Status: | Married |
Wife Name: | Usher Vance |
Children: | 3 Children
First: Ewan Blaine Second: N/A Third: N/A |
Physical Appearance
J.D Vance stands at a height of 5 ft 7 in and weighs about 75 kg. His eyes are grey and he has well cut brown hair. This gives him a unique Scottish look just like his father. He also keeps well trimmed beards.
As for his sense of fashion, J.D is more of a casual dresser. He’s mostly spotted with a pair of jeans, and a t-shirt or coat. He also dresses corporately for speeches, interviews and other formal events..
He has a cheerful personality and is often seen, smiling. Although he is a public figure, he is quite humble and leads a private life. Overall, he enjoys being free and simple.
Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
Eye Colour | Grey |
Hair Colour | Brown |
Career
J.D. Vance’s career journey has been quite diverse. He began his professional life at a corporate law firm in Ohio before making a move to San Francisco, where he entered the technology industry.
Vance then transitioned into the world of venture capitalism, working at Mithril Capital, a firm owned by Peter Thiel, who later became a major financial supporter of Vance’s senatorial campaign.
In the literary realm, Vance gained recognition as an author when he published his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” in 2016. This book became a New York Times bestseller for both 2016 and 2017 and earned him the 2017 Audie Award for Nonfiction.
The book offers a firsthand narrative of growing up in a disadvantaged white working-class ‘hillbilly’ neighborhood, where various social and economic challenges were a constant presence. It also details his journey of departing from this community and the transformation that led to his current self.
In December 2016, Vance hinted at a return to Ohio to establish a non-profit organization and expressed interest in running for a Senate seat in the state.
During 2017, Vance expanded his career horizons by joining Steve Case as an investment partner at Revolution LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm. He also took on a role as a CNN contributor.
The same year, Vance signed a deal with director Ron Howard, who sought to adapt “Hillbilly Elegy” into a movie. Netflix eventually released the film in 2020 under the same title.
A significant turning point in Vance’s career came when he became the Ohio Senator, succeeding Democrat Tim Ryan, who had served the state from 2003 to 2023.

Vance’s book had catapulted him into the public eye, and his political ascent received a boost when former President Donald Trump endorsed him before the Republican nominations.
Notably, Vance’s relationship with Trump evolved over time. In 2016, Vance had criticized Trump during his presidential campaign, describing him as reprehensible in a tweet.
However, in 2021, Vance issued an apology to President Trump and removed his earlier critical social media posts. He became a staunch supporter of Trump and defended him even after the 2020 presidential election, attributing Trump’s loss to alleged widespread voter fraud.

J.D. Vance also frowns at racism and often talks about the harm it is causing the society.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CV04L3PFMGg/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Awards and Achievements
- Audie Award for Nonfiction, 2017
- New York Times bestseller for both 2016 and 2017
- Finalist, Dayton Literary Peace Prize 2017
J.D Vance Net Worth Summary
As of 2023, James David Vance’s estimated net worth stands at $7 million. This whooping sum of money came from earning royalties from his book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” Investment and from being a senator.
In 2020, before his U.S. Senate campaign, JD Vance received $347,752 in royalties from his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” A year later, in 2022, as a United States Senator, he earned an additional $475,380 in book royalties. In 2023, his book royalties surpassed three times the annual salary of a U.S. Senator.
Another significant contributor to J.D. Vance’s wealth is his income from Narya Capital, where he holds a salaried position and earned $327,083 according to his financial disclosure. Vance co-founded this Cincinnati-based venture capital company.
It’s worth noting that Narya Capital enjoys financial backing from notable investors like the Senator from Missouri, Eric Schmidt, as well as prominent figures such as Marc Andreessen and Peter Thiel.