J.D. Vance, a venture capitalist, author, and Republican politician, has a net worth of $5 million. Elected to the United States Senate in 2022, Vance began his term in 2023. His rise to fame began in 2016 with his bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” which details his upbringing in Middletown, Ohio, and the socioeconomic issues of the Appalachian region.
How Did J.D. Vance Accumulate His Wealth?
Vance’s wealth primarily comes from his career as a venture capitalist and his successful memoir. He has made numerous investments and served on the board of AppHarvest until 2021, a company that focused on indoor farming for tomatoes. Despite its peak market cap of $3 billion, AppHarvest filed for bankruptcy in 2023. Vance’s financial disclosures reveal dozens of investments across various industries, adding to his financial portfolio.
What Is J.D. Vance’s Salary?
As a freshman US Senator, J.D. Vance earns a salary of $174,000. Additionally, he is a co-founder and partner at Narya Capital, where he earns an annual salary of $327,000. His combined income from these roles significantly contributes to his overall net worth.
What Does J.D. Vance’s Financial Disclosure Reveal?
Vance’s August 2022 financial disclosure listed over 100 investments. The vast majority were valued between $1,000 and $15,000. Some of his larger investments include:
- A stake in the online video platform Rumble, valued between $100,000 and $250,000.
- An investment in Kriya Therapies, valued between $50,000 and $100,000.
- An investment in AppHarvest, Inc., valued between $100,000 and $200,000.
- An investment in AcreTrader Inc., valued between $15,000 and $50,000.
His top asset is JD Vance Enterprises LLC, which holds investments and promotes his speaking, writing, and media appearances. Other significant assets include:
- Huntington National Bank: $250,000 – $500,000.
- Charles Schwab checking account: $100,000 – $250,000.
- Robinhood checking account: $100,000 – $250,000.
- Five Goldman Sachs CDs: $500,000 – $1.05 million.
- Shares in QQQ Exchange Traded Fund: $500,000 – $1 million.
- Shares in 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF: $100,000 – $200,000.
- Shares in DIA SPDR ETF: $500,000 – $1 million.
- Shares in SPY SPDR ETF: $500,000 – $1 million.
- Bitcoin held through Coinbase: $100,000 – $250,000.
- Walmart stock: $50,000 – $100,000.
The combined value of these assets alone ranges from $2.7 million to $5.6 million.
What Are J.D. Vance’s Real Estate Holdings?
In June 2018, J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha, purchased a home in Cincinnati, Ohio, for $1.4 million. The 2+ acre property features a 4,700-square-foot mansion built in 1858 with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Vance’s financial disclosure showed that the home was bought with a mortgage valued between $500,000 and $1 million through Navy Federal Credit Union at a 30-year fixed rate of 3.875%.
What Is J.D. Vance’s Early Life and Education?
J.D. Vance was born James Donald Bowman on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio, to Bev and Donald. Following his parents’ divorce, he was adopted by his mother’s third husband. Vance and his sister were primarily raised by their grandparents, James and Bonnie, who they affectionately called Mamaw and Papaw.
Vance attended Middletown High School and, after graduation, enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving in the Iraq War. He later attended Ohio State University, graduating in 2009 with a BA in political science and philosophy. Vance obtained his JD from Yale Law School in 2013.
How Did J.D. Vance Begin His Career in Law and Finance?
Vance started his career at a corporate law firm before moving to San Francisco to become a venture capitalist in the tech industry. He served as a principal at Mithril Capital, a firm founded by entrepreneur Peter Thiel. Vance later joined the Washington, DC-based investment firm Revolution and co-founded the Cincinnati-based firm Narya Capital.
How Did “Hillbilly Elegy” Impact J.D. Vance’s Career?
Vance gained widespread recognition in 2016 with the publication of “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” which became a New York Times Best Seller. The book, which depicts his upbringing and the socioeconomic struggles of his family and the Appalachian region, garnered significant media attention, especially during the controversial 2016 election year. In 2020, the memoir was adapted into a film directed by Ron Howard and starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close.
How Much Did Vance Earn from “Hillbilly Elegy”?
According to Vance’s financial disclosures, he earned the following royalties from publisher Harper Collins for “Hillbilly Elegy”:
- 2020: $347,752
- 2021: $475,380
What Are J.D. Vance’s Political Positions?
Vance is described as a populist conservative. He has been critical of LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and the reality of climate change. Vance has consistently opposed supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, claiming that Russia’s victory is inevitable and should inform future US policy.
Initially a vocal critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, Vance later became a strong supporter by 2020. He notably perpetuated the Big Lie that Trump lost the 2020 presidential election due to voter fraud.
What Is Known About J.D. Vance’s Personal Life?
In 2014, J.D. Vance married Usha Chilukuri, a fellow Yale Law School graduate. They have three children together and reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. Raised Protestant, Vance was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church in 2019.