The second family of the United States is about to grow bigger, marking a historic moment in American politics.
Second Lady Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, is pregnant with the couple’s fourth child, a son, Usha and JD Vance announced in a Jan. 20 social media post.
This would mark the first time in U.S. history a sitting second lady was pregnant or gave birth while the vice president was in office, USA TODAY reported.
The couple are currently parents of three children, two sons and a daughter.
Here’s what to know about JD and Usha Vance’s family.
Is Usha Vance pregnant?
Yes, Second Lady Usha Vance is pregnant with the couple’s fourth child, JD Vance and Usha Vance announced in a Jan. 20 Instagram post. The baby, a son, is expected to be born in July, the post said.
What makes the pregnancy historic?
The pregnancy makes Usha Vance the first second lady in U.S. history to become pregnant or give birth during her husband’s term as vice president, according to USA TODAY.
However, first ladies have been pregnant and given birth during their husbands’ terms as president.
Frances Folsom Cleveland, wife of President Grover Cleveland, gave birth to daughter Esther in the White House in 1893, according to History.com. In 1963, First Lady Jackie Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy, gave birth to son Patrick in 1963, though he died prematurely, according to the White House Historical Association.
How many children does the Vance family already have?
JD Vance and Usha Vance have three children, two sons and one daughter.
The children are 8-year-old Ewan, 5-year-old Vivek and 3-year-old Mirabel.
Who is Usha Vance?
Born Usha Bala Chilukuri in San Diego, California to Indian immigrant parents, Usha Vance is the second lady of the U.S., married to Vice President JD Vance. A lawyer, she has worked in civil litigation and appeals and her experience includes having clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, according to The White House.
Who is JD Vance?
Born James Donald Bowman in Middletown, Ohio, JD Vance is the 50th vice president of the U.S. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Ohio and is an Iraq war veteran and author of bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy, A Memoir of Family and Culture in Crisis.”
He is now known as James David, or JD, Vance, the result of a long name-changing process.
His mother changed his middle name following his parents’ divorce, removing his father’s name. When his stepfather adopted him, he took on his surname, becoming James David Hamel, according to USA TODAY.
In adulthood he began using his nickname, J.D., later JD, professionally. In 2013, he changed his surname again to Vance, his mother’s maiden name, in honor of his maternal grandmother.
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Usha and JD Vance make history with announcement. Why pregnancy is historic
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
