Second Lady or Second Gentleman of the United States
The Second Lady of the United States (or the Second Gentleman, when the Vice President’s spouse is a man) is an informal, unpaid title for the wife or husband of the Vice President. The role is not officially defined, but the person typically acts as a hostess at events and often supports public causes.
The current Second Lady is Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, since January 20, 2025. The first Second Lady was Abigail Adams (when her husband John Adams was Vice President), and the first Second Gentleman was Douglas Emhoff (husband of Kamala Harris, Vice President from 2021 to 2025).
The term “Second Lady” was likely first used by Jennie Tuttle Hobart, wife of Vice President Garret Hobart in the late 1800s. Over time, the role has become more visible, with some Second Ladies (and now Second Gentlemen) taking on significant public work. Notable examples include Pat Nixon, who built a large, active schedule; Barbara Bush, who hosted many events and later became First Lady; Jill Biden, who worked as a professor and supported literacy and other causes; and Doug Emhoff, the first Second Gentleman, who focused on issues like food security, antisemitism, climate change, and equal access to justice.
Since the 1970s, the Vice President’s official residence has been Number One Observatory Circle in Washington, D.C. The role has also evolved as the Office of the Vice President grew in influence, with several Second Ladies later becoming First Lady when their husbands became President.
In 2025, Usha Vance became the first Asian American, Telugu American, and Hindu American to hold the role of Second Lady. The position remains informal and varies in visibility from one administration to another.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:05 (CET).