JD Vance's Mother's Struggle with Drug Addiction

A Firsthand Account

As detailed in his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, Senator JD Vance's mother struggled with drug addiction. When Vance's mother, Beverly Vance, was spiraling out of control with addiction, his grandmother, Mamaw, who is portrayed by Glenn Close in the film, became his primary guardian.

The Impact on Vance's Life

Vance's mother's addiction had a profound impact on his life. He longed for a role model, having lost his father when he was just six years old. In his memoir, he writes, "It was the saddest I had ever felt. Of all the things I hated..."

Despite the challenges he faced, Vance was determined to escape the cycle of poverty and addiction that had plagued his family. He eventually graduated from Yale Law School and went on to become a successful author and politician.