Vivek Ramaswamy’s religion is Hinduism. The Ohio-raised entrepreneur and Republican politician has said plainly, “I am Hindu. I am not Christian,” while also saying he shares the Judeo-Christian values he sees as the foundation of the United States. This page covers his faith, his upbringing and how he has described his beliefs.
Early Life and Hindu Upbringing
Ramaswamy is the child of immigrants from southern India and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. His parents spoke Tamil at home and performed pujas, a form of Hindu worship ritual, according to the Associated Press. Christianity Today identifies him as a Tamil Brahmin.
As a child he heard stories from the Hindu epics, prayed daily to deities and attended temples in Dayton and Cincinnati, the AP reported. He attended St. Xavier High School, a Catholic school in Cincinnati, where he says his anti-abortion position solidified.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s Religious Views
Ramaswamy has described his faith in terms of a single God. “I was raised in a belief system where there is one true God who empowers each of us with our own capacities,” he told the AP. He has said Hindu values such as sacrifice and doing one’s duty without attachment to results overlap with Judeo-Christian values.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, his Hindu identity drew questions from Christian audiences. He has said he has read the Bible closely, and that he lives by Judeo-Christian values more than many self-described Christian politicians, according to Christianity Today. He also calls himself “an ardent defender of religious liberty” and lists “God is real” as the first point in the Truth section of his campaign website.
He and his wife, Apoorva, a physician, are raising their two sons in the Hindu faith. Ramaswamy’s religion is often compared with that of other politicians who have discussed their beliefs, such as Dr. Oz and Hakeem Jeffries.
Interest in his faith has risen again during the 2026 Ohio governor’s race, where he is the Republican candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What religion is Vivek Ramaswamy?
Vivek Ramaswamy is Hindu. He has said, “I am Hindu. I am not Christian,” and he was raised in a Tamil Hindu household in Cincinnati.
Did Vivek Ramaswamy go to a Catholic school?
Yes. He attended St. Xavier High School, a Catholic school in Cincinnati. He remained Hindu and says the school helped solidify his anti-abortion stance.
Is Vivek Ramaswamy raising his children Hindu?
Yes. He and his wife, Apoorva, are raising their two sons in the Hindu faith.
Does Vivek Ramaswamy believe in one God?
He has said he was raised in a belief system with one true God who empowers each person with their own capacities, while noting that Hinduism is a diverse tradition.


