(NEXSTAR) — Dozens of familiar faces were in attendance for the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. There was, however, someone sitting behind Vance that many had not seen before: his mother, Beverly Aikins.
Wearing a bright red shirt, Aikins stood out among the row of Trump’s sons and family, and Vance’s wife, Usha. Aikins, along with Vance’s family, shared a moment with outgoing President Joe Biden before the inauguration began.
Slideshow: Beverly Aikins at the Trump-Vance inauguration
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Beverly Aikins, mother of US Vice President J.D. Vance attends inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) -
US President Joe Biden reacts with the family of US Vice President-elect former Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: U.S. Vice President-elect former Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) reacts with his family during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: U.S. Vice President-elect former Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) arrives to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
In addition to watching her son become the 50th vice president of the United States on Monday, Aikins is celebrating her 64th birthday. The Cincinnati Enquirer also reports that Aikins marked her 10-year anniversary of sobriety on Sunday.
Despite the major milestones, Aikins shared she recently had surgery and has been slowly recovering.
In a Facebook post earlier this month, Aikins explained that, in late December, she had experienced heart problems. What initially appeared to be a heart attack “was actually Takatsubo Cardiomyopathy,” Aikins wrote.
Otherwise known as “broken-heart syndrome,” takatsubo cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the heart’s left ventricle, Harvard Health explains. While it can present with common signs of a heart attack, takatsubo cardiomyopathy is “usually the result of severe emotional or physical stress, such as a sudden illness, the loss of a loved one, a serious accident, or a natural disaster such as an earthquake.”
Aikins said a CT scan also showed a hernia in her stomach. In early January, she said she underwent surgery to remove it. Despite her slow recovery, Aikins said she was committed to attending Monday’s inauguration, 11 days after being discharged.
During the Republican National Convention in July 2024, Aikins made her debut. She was often mentioned as Vance was on the campaign trail, and was portrayed by Amy Adams in the Netflix adaptation of Vance’s book, “Hillbilly Elegy.”
