Meet JD Vance's parents and their role in his journey from poverty to politics
JD Vance's parents are Beverly Vance and Donald Bowman, whose turbulent relationship and personal struggles influenced his path. Beverly's addiction and revolving partners created chaos, while Donald's later involvement gave JD a glimpse of stability amid hardship.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- JD Vance’s biological parents divorced when he was a toddler.
- Beverly struggled with substance abuse, losing her nursing licence for stealing medicines.
- Donald left when JD as a toddler but reconnected during his teenage years.
- JD was adopted by Bob Hamel at age six, but later reverted to “Vance” to honour his grandparents.
- Maternal grandparents James and Bonnie Vance provided stability and shaped his resilience.
JD Vance's parents' profile summary
| Full name | Beverly Carol Aikins (née Vance) | Donald Ray Bowman |
| Status | Alive | Dead |
| Gender | Female | Male |
| Date of birth | 20 January 1961 | 15 August 1959 |
| Age | 64 years old (as of 2025) | Died 64 years old (4 November 2023) |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius | Leo |
| Place of birth | Middletown, Ohio, USA | Hamilton, Ohio, USA |
| Current residence | Middletown, Ohio, USA | Buried in Vincent, Kentucky, USA |
| Nationality | American | American |
| Ethnicity | White | White |
| Religion | Christianity | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight | Straight |
| Mother | Bonnie Blanton Vance | Melva (Baker) Shepherd |
| Father | James Vance | Donald C Bowman |
| Marital status | Divorced | Died married |
| Partner | N/A | Cheryl (McCarty) Bowman |
| Children | Three | Five |
| School | N/A | Edgewood High School |
| College | Sinclair College | N/A |
| Profession | Registered nurse (RN) | Machinist |
Inside JD Vance’s parents and his turbulent childhood
Beverly Carol Aikins (née Vance) and Donald Ray Bowman divorced when JD was a toddler. His maternal grandparents, James and Bonnie Vance, primarily raised him and provided the stability his parents couldn't.
Beverly Vance Aikins
Source: Getty Images
Beverly Carol Aikins (née Vance) is JD Vance's mother. Born and raised in Middletown, Ohio, she worked as a nurse but struggled with addiction throughout much of JD's childhood. Her substance abuse began during her nursing career, escalating from prescription pills to hard substances.
According to Nicki Swift, management eventually caught Bev allegedly stealing and selling medicine from the hospital where she worked, leading to the suspension of her nursing licence. She revealed to the Washington Examiner how losing her income source put her in a dark place:
I hated it. I hated myself. My whole identity was in being a nurse. I felt like that was my calling. I just thought the opportunity was gone.
Beverly was married five times, including to Donald Bowman, JD's biological father, and later to Bob Hamel, who adopted JD and changed his name to James David Hamel. Her unstable relationships and addiction created a chaotic home environment.
JD and his sister Lindsay were raised primarily by their maternal grandparents, whom they referred to as Mamaw and Papaw.
JD Vance's mother still lives in Middletown, Ohio today, where she works in addiction recovery services at Seacrest Recovery Centre. She celebrated 10 years of sobriety in January 2025, coinciding with her 64th birthday and Vance's inauguration as Vice President of the United States.
Donald Bowman
Source: UGC
Donald "Big Don" Bowman was JD Vance's biological father. Born on 15 August 1959, in Hamilton, Ohio, he lost his father as a baby, and his stepfather, Joseph Shepherd, raised him.
He graduated from Edgewood High School in 1979 and worked as a machinist at Hamilton Tool for 13 years before founding Bowman Construction & Excavating.
Though not mentioned in his obituary, Donald was first married to Beverly Vance, with whom he had a son, JD. Their relationship ended early in JD's life, but father and son reconnected during JD's teenage years.
In 1988, Donald married Cheryl McCarty, and together they raised a blended family of four children.
Donald passed away at his home on 4 November 2023, surrounded by his wife and children, aged 64 years old. He was buried at Warrens Chapel Cemetery in Vincent, Kentucky, USA.
Were JD Vance's parents rich?
Source: Getty Images
JD Vance's parents were not wealthy. He grew up in Middletown, Ohio, in a working-class family that faced significant financial and emotional instability. His mother, Beverly Vance Aikins, struggled with addiction and held various nursing jobs before losing her licence.
His biological father, Donald Bowman, worked as a machinist and later ran a small construction company, but was not wealthy. In his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, he describes Middletown, Ohio, "a town of primarily low-income residents."
FAQs
- Where did JD Vance grow up? JD grew up in Middletown, Ohio, a small Rust Belt town between Cincinnati and Dayton.
- Who is JD Vance's mother? His mother is Beverly Carol Aikins (née Vance), a registered nurse.
- Is JD Vance's mother still alive? Beverly Aikins is alive. She celebrated her 64th birthday and 10 years of sobriety in January 2025.
- Who was JD Vance's stepfather and his eventual adoptive father? Bob Hamel, Beverly's third husband, adopted JD when he was six years old.
- What actress played JD Vance's mom? Amy Adams portrayed Beverly Vance in the 2020 Netflix release adaptation of Hillbilly Elegy, directed by Ron Howard.
- What is JD Vance's parents' nationality? JD Vance's biological parents, Donald Bowman and Beverly Aikins, are American.
- What is JD Vance's parents' ethnicity? JD Vance has described his family as Scots-Irish Appalachian. However, a 2025 genealogical report commissioned by Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party found no verified ancestral link.
JD Vance's parents divorced when he was a toddler. His early years were marked by instability, including Beverly's struggles with addiction and a series of father figures. These fractured relationships, along with the steady influence of his grandparents, shaped Vance's personal resilience and political worldview.
Yen.com.gh published a similar article, but about Karoline Leavitt's parents. Bob and Erin Leavitt raised Karoline in Atkinson, New Hampshire, instilling strong values and shaping her path in politics. They have remained integral in their daughter's career, supporting her throughout her journey.
Karoline Leavitt is best known for her career as a political spokesperson, serving as the 36th White House press secretary. Her fame has generated interest in her background, with many curious about her parents. Discover more about them in the full article.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
