Who is JD Vance's grandmother? Ohio Republican senator thanks his 'Mamaw' in victory speech
COLUMBUS, OHIO: Author of the 2016 best-selling book 'Hillbilly Elegy' and newly appointed Republican senator in Ohio, JD Vance, expressed gratitude to his grandmother "Mamaw" in his victory speech Tuesday night, Nov 8. Vance's mother and father divorced when he was a toddler, and he was adopted by his mother's third husband shortly thereafter. However, he and his sister were raised and cared for primarily by his grandparents, James, and Bonnie Vance, whom they called "Mamaw and Papaw," while his mother suffered from substance abuse.
Vance's grandparents played a pivotal role in his life and later inspired his autobiographical book 'Hillbilly Elegy,' which was later made into a film by Ron Howard. "I will never forget the woman who raised me," Vance said in his victory speech, referring to his grandmother, played in the film by Glenn Close. The new lawmaker also said he will never forget where he came from, referring to his humble origins in Middletown, Ohio, where he grew up as a blue-collar worker.
