'I love you, mom.' JD Vance says his mom is 10 years sober

Portrait of Victoria Moorwood Victoria Moorwood
Cincinnati Enquirer

JD Vance's mother was in the audience Wednesday night when he formally accepted his nomination to be Donald Trump's running mate.

Vance spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The 39-year-old Ohio senator talked about his upbringing in Middletown, Ohio, and Appalachian roots – two backdrops of his 2016 memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy."

Convention attendees chanted, "JD's mom!" after the Ohio senator talked about his mother. Here's what to know about Vance's mom, Beverly Aikins.

Beverly, mother of vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, becomes emotional in the VIP box as her son speaks, next to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention.

Who is JD Vance's mom?

Vance's mom, Beverly Aikins, was raised in Middletown, where her Kentucky-born parents settled in Ohio. She has one brother and one sister and had two children: Vance and his sister, Lindsay.

Is JD Vance's mom sober?

Vance wrote about his mom's multiyear struggle with substance use in "Hillbilly Elegy." During his speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, Vance said his mom has been sober for 10 years.

Beverly Aikins is recognized during a speech by her son, Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance.

"It'll be 10 years officially in January of 2025 and, if President Trump's OK with it, let's have the celebration in the White House," Vance said.

According to Aikins' Facebook profile, she currently works in substance use recovery in Southwest Ohio.