At just 30 years old, Karoline Leavitt may have been the youngest White House press secretary in American history, but it was her personal life – and, in particular, her relationship with Nicholas Riccio – that’s made headlines and garnered deep interest on both sides. Though best known for her ferocious political presence and ascendant profile in conservative politics, she’s lived a softer, more personal story at home with the man who’s served as her most influential behind-the-scenes adviser.
Their 32-year age-gap marriage started as a friendship while she was running for Congress in 2022 and turned into a contemporary partnership that has drawn wide public attention. So who is the guy standing next to Karoline Leavitt Husband – and just what is so special about their bond?
Here is a closer look at Karoline Leavitt husband, their journey together, and the family life they have built away from cameras.
Quick Bio: Karoline Leavitt & Nicholas Riccio
| Attribute | Karoline Leavitt Husband Karoline Leavitt | Nicholas Riccio |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Karoline Claire Leavitt | Nicholas Robert Riccio |
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1997 | Approx. 1966 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 27 years | 59 years |
| Profession | White House Press Secretary | Real Estate Developer |
| Notable Achievement | Youngest Press Secretary in U.S. history | Founder of Riccio Enterprises |
| Political Affiliation | Republican | Non-political / Private |
| Place of Origin | Atkinson, New Hampshire | Hudson, New Hampshire |
| Marital Status | Married (January 2025) | Married to Karoline Leavitt |
| Children | One son – Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio Jr. | One son – Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio Jr. |
| Known For | Trump’s spokesperson, pro-family and pro-faith values | Low-profile, private supporter of Karoline’s career |
How They Met: A Congressional Campaign, a Happenstance Meeting
The love story of Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio didn’t begin with political aspirations or flashy headlines. It started more humbly, at an intimate campaign event in New Hampshire. The moment, in fact, started with an invitation for Leavitt, who was a candidate for Congress, to speak at a restaurant that they both had a friend in common who owned it – the very restaurant that Riccio happened to attend.
“We met, we spoke as friends,” Leavitt said on the February 2025 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show. “There was no pressure. Just a connection. From there it just kind of happened.”
At the time, Karoline was 25. Nicholas, 57. The disparity in age didn’t dominate their early conversations – values held in common, mutual admiration and alignment in priorities did. And even if the pairing drew surprise in political circles, people close to the pair describe the relationship as grounded and genuine.
Engagement, Marriage & Milestones
Leavitt’s romance with Riccio was relatively out of the public eye until October 2033 when she announced their engagement publicly on Instagram with an image of Riccio himself on one knee during Christmas weekend.
They made it official just weeks before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025 at Wentworth By the Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire. With friends and family close by, they opted for simplicity over spectacle – a fit, they said, given the bride’s heritage.
Their son, Nicholas Robert Riccio Jr., was born on July 10, 2024, a few days before a terrible moment in American history – the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
I’d just had the baby, but when that happened, I looked at my husband and said, ‘Guess I’m going back to work,’ ” Leavitt told The Conservateur in an fall 2024 interview.
In the midst of the chaos, Riccio never left her side, taking care of their newborn son while Leavitt returned to the campaign trail.
Who Is Nicholas Riccio?
Nicholas Riccio is Karoline Leavitt Husband. Although his name is currently associated with one of Washington’s rising stars, Nicholas Riccio was a success independent of Karoline long before they met.
Hudson, New Hampshire native Riccio was raised in a middle-class family with three siblings. After graduating from Plymouth State University, he suffered times of financial trouble and housing instability, which ultimately drove him to prove his worth.
College days Ultimately, he would buy properties in the Hampton Beach area after he took a real estate course after college. Over time, he founded Riccio Enterprises, a family-owned property management company that is now known for buying and renting out over 15 New Hampshire buildings.
“He earned everything he has,” Leavitt wrote on social media. “His history has made him stronger – and why he supports me building my own career.”
A Love That Breaks Social Norms
It is understandable that the 32-year age gap between Leavitt and Riccio is intriguing to the public. Leavitt herself was open and honest about the subject on her appearance on the Megyn Kelly Show.
“It’s a love story aside from the fact that it’s a love story, a very atypical love story,” she conceded. “But he’s incredible. He’s my best friend, he’s my rock, and he’s the most supportive man I’ve ever met.”
Although online skeptics have suggested they’re not a perfect match, friends say the relationship is healthy, emotionally stable and without drama. Riccio’s reserved, introverted personality is an ideal counterpoint to Leavitt’s larger-than-life, high-energy extrovert life of the public space.
“He’s the opposite of me – he’s not a social media guy, he flies under the radar,” Leavitt wrote on Instagram at one point. “But he’s my biggest supporter and the best dad I could ever wish for.”
Welcoming Baby Niko: A New Chapter
When the Manhattanites became the parents of daughters, it was a life-changing experience. Baby Niko, who was born in July 2024, came when Leavitt was deep into Trump’s presidential campaign. But days after she gave birth, rather than an extended maternity leave, she was back to work, in part because of a shooting involving Trump.
In those early weeks, it was Riccio who did much of the caregiving, giving his wife the emotional strength and space she needed to keep her family’s world together.
“He’s been amazing through all this,” Leavitt said. “He not only stepped up – he led.”
Balancing Public Pressure and Private Peace
Life in the political spotlight is daunting for any couple, particularly when one half of that couple is a household name that pops up on the news crawl for questioning hostile reporters from the White House podium. But Karoline and Nicholas have found a rhythm that works for them, one based on respect and clear, defined boundaries.
As Karoline endures the daily spin room and toxic political news cycle, Riccio prefers to stay out of the spotlight. The couple are a rare public pairing, except when the situation is personal – like campaign events or important family celebrations.
“He’s not looking for that attention,” Karoline has said. “His work is what roots me.”
They make a study in contrast: Karoline is a charismatic and media-trained president; Nicholas is measured and soft-spoken. But that very disjunction is what makes their relationship strong – and real.
Parenting With Purpose: A Life With Baby Niko
For any parent, to welcome a child into the world at a time of intense political division would be daunting. For Karoline and Nicholas, that turned into a chance to reprioritize – and strengthen their partnership.
Baby Niko, or Baby Niko as he’s affectionately called, soon became the emotional heart of their lives. Karoline shares snippets of motherhood on Instagram – late-night work sessions with Niko in her lap or brief interludes of calm on frenetic days.
“My heart was bigger than I ever thought possible,” she wrote after Niko was born. “Babies are the ultimate blessing.”
Riccio, who became a father at a later age for the second time, really took to the role. Friends said his parenting style is like the way he approaches business – hands-on, consistent and protective.
His Impact on Her Career
And though Riccio isn’t directly involved in politics, his role in Karoline’s life has helped bring a measure of stability, a larger perspective and a sounding board that few others could provide.
Through her run for Congress and now as press secretary, Riccio has been one of her most steadfast confidants – helping her balance competing decisions, wind down from the noisy media environment and focus on long-term visions.
“He does not give me orders,” Karoline once said. “But he always listens. And sometimes that’s exactly what you need.”
His experience as an entrepreneur also gives him a unique perspective on public messaging, leadership and resilience – all qualities Karoline calls on daily.
Media Narratives & Public Scrutiny
Like many public figures, Karoline’s relationship hasn’t been without its share of scandal. Their 32-year age gap has been widely covered in media and on social media platforms, with their story often being reduced to mere digits rather than the intricacies that make up a relationship of that kind.
Yet Karoline has remained unfazed.
“People are going to have opinions,” she said on The Megyn Kelly Show. “But we know who we are. That’s what matters.”
She has repeatedly demonstrated that Rimbo will not be defined by Riccio’s age, but rather his character – his integrity, the selfless support that he offers and a willingness to remain in the background even when under the glare of the spotlight.
UpNext: The Shared Journey Has Just Begun
With Trump beginning his second term, and Karoline a rising star in conservative politics, the future comes with both obstacles and even more high marks.
Whether she stays true to her trajectory in national politics, seeks higher office or retreats to concentrate on family at some point, it’s apparent she won’t be doing it alone.
“We’re a team,” she frequently tells people. “And we’re going to be in this for the long haul.”
For Karoline and (Nicholas), the bedrock of their marriage doesn’t rely on public opinion or dates on the calendar. It’s founded on faith, understanding, and a dedication to writing their own story – one chapter at a time.
