If you’ve spent any time watching White House press briefings lately, you know Karoline Leavitt doesn't back down. She’s sharp, fast-talking, and at just 28 years old, she’s already made history as the youngest person to ever hold her position. But honestly, it’s not just her political sparring that has people talking. People are endlessly curious about her personal life—specifically, how old is Karoline Leavitts husband?
It turns out the answer is pretty surprising to most. Her husband, Nicholas Riccio, is 60 years old.
That puts a massive 32-year age gap between the two. In a town like D.C. where everyone is obsessed with optics, a Gen Z press secretary being married to a man who could technically be her father is definitely going to raise some eyebrows. But Karoline has been pretty open about it. She calls it an "atypical love story," and frankly, she doesn't seem to care much about the critics.
The Man Behind the Headlines: Who is Nicholas Riccio?
Nicholas Riccio isn't some political operative or a D.C. insider. He’s a real estate developer from New Hampshire. He’s basically the definition of a self-made guy.
He didn't grow up with a silver spoon. Far from it. Riccio has talked about some pretty heavy personal hardship in his past, including a period of homelessness when he was just 18. He used to call up friends just to ask if he could come over and watch a game, mostly so he could sneak in a shower. He eventually put himself through Plymouth State University by stocking shelves at a grocery store and even sleeping in his car to save on rent.
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Fast forward a few decades, and he’s built a multimillion-dollar real estate empire. He owns Riccio Enterprises and is a major property owner in the Hampton Beach area.
Meeting on the Campaign Trail
You’d think they met at some fancy gala, but it was actually way more low-key. They met in 2022. Karoline was 25 at the time and running for a congressional seat in New Hampshire.
A mutual friend hosted a political event at a restaurant Nicholas owned. Karoline was there to speak, they got to talking, and things just kind of clicked. They started out as friends, but by Christmas 2023, they were engaged.
Addressing the 32-Year Age Gap
Let’s be real: a 32-year age gap is huge. Karoline was born in 1997. Nicholas was born around 1965. When Nicholas was starting his real estate career in the early 90s, Karoline wasn't even born yet.
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Karoline recently went on The Megyn Kelly Show and Pod Force One to talk about the dynamic. She admitted that telling her parents was "challenging." Her own mother is actually younger than Nicholas. That’s a tough dinner table conversation to navigate.
"He is my greatest supporter, he's my best friend, and he's my rock," Leavitt said.
She’s also mentioned how their lifestyles differ. Nicholas is a self-described introvert who "hates social media." He’s the guy staying home while she’s under the bright lights of the White House.
Family Life in 2026
The couple didn't wait long to start a family. They welcomed their son, Nicholas Robert “Niko” Riccio, in July 2024.
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The timing was wild. Karoline actually returned to work just days after giving birth, which happened to be the same week as the first assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Talk about a stressful return to the office.
They officially tied the knot in January 2025, just a few days before the inauguration. And as of early 2026, the family is growing again. Karoline is currently pregnant with their second child, a girl due in May 2026. This makes her the first-ever pregnant White House press secretary.
Why It Works for Them
From an outside perspective, the math of their ages might seem odd. But in Karoline’s view, Nicholas’s age and success are actually what make her career possible. Because he’s already "built his empire," he has the financial freedom and the maturity to hold down the fort while she works 18-hour days in one of the most high-pressure jobs in the world.
Common Questions About Nicholas Riccio
- How old is he exactly? As of early 2026, he is 60 years old.
- What does he do? He’s a successful real estate developer and owner of Riccio Enterprises LLC.
- Where is he from? He’s a New Hampshire native, specifically from the Hudson and Hampton Beach areas.
- Does he work in politics? No, he stays out of the limelight, though he did help fund Karoline’s 2022 congressional bid.
Moving Forward
If you're following Karoline Leavitt's career, it’s clear that her personal life is just as unconventional as her professional rise. While the 32-year age gap with her husband Nicholas Riccio continues to be a point of fascination for the public, the couple seems focused on their expanding family and her high-profile role in the administration.
To stay updated on Karoline's historic tenure as the first pregnant press secretary, you can follow her official briefings or check out her occasional family updates on social media—just don't expect Nicholas to post anything himself. He's still happily offline.
If you are looking for more details on the Leavitt-Riccio family, your best bet is to look for her interviews on long-form podcasts where she tends to be much more candid about her "atypical" home life than she is behind the White House podium.