On March 10, 2025, Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, landed in Italy to lead a U.S. delegation at the Special Olympics World Winter Games opening ceremony.

Joined by seven members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet, including Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy, wife of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, she represents America’s commitment to this global event.

Vice President Vance, who credits Usha for his conversion to Catholicism, is not accompanying her.

Other delegates include Boris Epshteyn, a senior Trump advisor, and Trent Michael Morse, deputy director of presidential personnel.

The Special Olympics World Winter Games begin Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time, hosted at Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy—built for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Over 1,500 athletes from 100 countries, including 160 Americans from 42 states, will compete in this biennial celebration of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Usha, an attorney of Indian descent, brings an international perspective from her time at Yale Law School, where she met JD Vance, and the University of Cambridge. Married for 11 years, they have three children: Ewan (7), Vivek (5), and Mirabel (3).

Future Events and Significance

Looking ahead, the Special Olympics World Summer Games are set for October 2027 in Santiago, Chile, during Trump’s second term.

Usha Vance’s leadership at this year’s winter games highlights the U.S. government’s dedication to inclusive sports worldwide, blending diplomacy with athletic inspiration.