Karoline Leavitt’s 32-Year Age Gap Marriage: The Story Behind D.C.’s Most Talked-About Relationship

More Questions for New Jersey Drone After White House Press Secretary's Explanation

Who is Karoline Leavitt, Youngest White House Press Secretary: Love Story, Education, and Career

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt (right) with her husband Nicholas Riccio and son. Photo: Instagram/karolineleavitt

Karoline Leavitt has built a reputation as one of the most unflinching and combative voices of the current White House. At just 27, she is the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, standing at the frontlines for Donald Trump’s administration as he returns to power. But behind the scenes, Leavitt’s personal life has sparked just as much conversation as her fiery briefings.

Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, a 59-year-old self-made millionaire and real estate investor. Their 32-year age gap has fueled curiosity and debate across social media and cable news. However, Leavitt is unfazed. In a recent interview with journalist Megyn Kelly, she pulled back the curtain on the private relationship she credits as her emotional anchor.

A Relationship Born Amid Politics and Business

The two met during Leavitt’s 2022 run for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District. A mutual friend hosted a campaign event at one of Riccio’s restaurants, a staple in New Hampshire’s business community.

“I wasn’t looking for anything serious,” Leavitt admitted. “But Nick and I clicked instantly. It started as a friendship, and over time it deepened.”

Riccio, a New Hampshire native, had followed Leavitt’s rise in Republican circles. By then, she had already interned in the White House Correspondence Office, served as assistant press secretary under Trump, and worked as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik, one of the most prominent House Republicans.

Their relationship blossomed while Leavitt was navigating the intense demands of a high-profile congressional race. She ultimately lost to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas but found a partner who, by her own account, became a stabilizing force.

Overcoming Doubts and Defying Expectations

Leavitt did not shy away from acknowledging the initial hesitation she felt about dating someone 32 years her senior.

“Of course I had concerns,” she said. “It’s not something you see every day. But Nick’s character spoke louder than the numbers.”

According to Leavitt, Riccio has consistently supported her grueling political career, including the non-stop travel and scrutiny that comes with defending Donald Trump in a deeply polarized media environment.

“I’m in the public eye every day. Nick could have stepped back or asked me to slow down, but he never did. Instead, he’s been my biggest champion,” she said.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in wedding photo. Photo: Instagram/karolineleavitt

Riccio’s Hard-Earned Success

Riccio’s own story is marked by hardship and grit. Raised in a working-class family, he was left homeless at 18 after his parents’ divorce. He worked supermarket jobs to fund his education, often sleeping in his car when he couldn’t afford rent.

In 1990, Riccio completed a real estate certification course and saw an opportunity in Hampton Beach’s deteriorating property market. He began acquiring distressed properties with limited capital, slowly rebuilding them and flipping them into rental income. By the mid-2010s, Riccio had become a major player in the regional real estate market. His company now holds a portfolio of properties across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and the White Mountains, with a focus on revitalizing neglected buildings.

Today, his net worth is estimated at around $6 million, a point of pride for someone who once lacked a permanent address.

A Partnership Under Pressure

Leavitt’s return to Trump’s 2024 campaign after her congressional loss placed her in a national spotlight. As Trump’s press secretary, she’s often seen sparring with journalists, defending her boss against legal troubles and controversies. Throughout it all, Riccio has remained in the background, deliberately avoiding the limelight.

The couple got engaged in late 2023 and welcomed their son, Niko, in July 2024. Their family faced immediate turbulence. Just as Leavitt was recovering from childbirth, news broke that Trump had narrowly survived an assassination attempt during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania.

“I was still in the hospital when we heard,” Leavitt said. “I turned to Nick and said, ‘Looks like I’m going back to work.’ And that was it—I dropped maternity leave and rejoined the team.”

A Private Man in a Public Relationship

In January 2025, days before Trump’s second inauguration, Leavitt and Riccio married in a quiet ceremony. Leavitt only shared wedding photos weeks later on social media, writing, “Finally found a moment to share these beautiful memories.”

Despite her prominent public profile, Leavitt says she intentionally shields most details about Riccio from public view.

“Nick is the opposite of me—private, grounded. He doesn’t want attention,” she said. “I respect that. He’s the best man and father I’ve ever known.”

The couple now balances parenting their newborn son with Leavitt’s demanding role in Washington.

Navigating Criticism

While some online chatter has speculated about power dynamics in their relationship due to the age gap and Riccio’s wealth, Leavitt is unfazed by the noise.

“I’ve faced bigger critics than Twitter trolls,” she said. “Nick and I built this relationship on mutual respect and love. That’s what matters.”

Looking Ahead

As Leavitt continues to shape the communications strategy for a combative and high-stakes White House, she says her partnership with Riccio keeps her grounded amid the chaos.

“Politics is a war zone,” she said. “I couldn’t do it without Nick.”

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