If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the name Karoline Leavitt. She is the youngest White House Press Secretary in American history, a Gen Z firebrand who doesn’t flinch when the cameras are rolling. But away from the podium and the sharp exchanges with the press corps, there is a whole other side to her life that most people only catch in glimpses.
At the center of that world is Nicholas Riccio.
Honestly, their relationship has turned quite a few heads. When you have a high-profile 28-year-old political powerhouse married to a 60-year-old real estate developer, people are going to talk. The 32-year age gap is the kind of thing that fuels endless tabloid speculation and "opinion" pieces. But if you look past the headlines, the story of Nicholas Riccio and Karoline Leavitt is less about political optics and more about a very specific, albeit "atypical," partnership that seems to work precisely because of their differences.
How a Congressional Campaign Led to a Wedding
Most people assume they met in the high-pressure hallways of D.C., but they actually met back home in New Hampshire. It was 2022. Karoline was 25 and running a grueling campaign for Congress in the 1st District. She didn’t win that seat, but she ended up meeting Riccio through a mutual friend.
The setting wasn’t a fancy gala. It was a restaurant in New Hampshire owned by a friend of theirs. Nicholas, who is famously introverted and stays far away from the spotlight, was invited to a campaign event where Karoline was speaking. They were just acquaintances at first. Then friends. Then, as Karoline puts it, they just fell in love.
By Christmas 2023, they were engaged.
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By July 2024, they welcomed their first child, a son named Nicholas Robert Riccio (they call him Niko).
Their wedding happened in January 2025 at the Wentworth By the Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire. It was a lavish but intimate ceremony held just days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration. It’s kinda wild to think about: one week you’re walking down the aisle in a white dress, and the next you’re standing at the most famous podium in the world defending the President of the United States.
Who is Nicholas Riccio?
While Karoline is a household name, Nicholas Riccio is much more of a mystery. He doesn’t do Twitter. He doesn’t have a public Instagram. He’s basically the definition of "behind the scenes."
Nicholas is a self-made real estate investor with a "rags-to-riches" story that sounds like something out of a movie. Back in the early 90s, he was actually living on the streets for a period. He’s talked before about calling friends just to ask if he could come over and watch a game, mostly so he could use their shower.
He eventually built a multi-million dollar property empire, largely by buying up and renovating abandoned or condemned buildings in the Hampton Beach area. Today, his company, Riccio Enterprises, owns over 15 properties.
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Karoline has been very open about the fact that his financial success and his stage in life are actually what make their marriage work. Because he’s already "made it," he doesn’t have an ego about her being the famous one. He’s the one at home with Niko while she’s at the White House until 10:00 PM.
Facing the "Age Gap" Criticism
You can’t talk about Nicholas Riccio and Karoline Leavitt without addressing the 32-year age difference. Even Karoline’s parents, Bob and Erin Leavitt, were reportedly a bit skeptical at first. It’s a "challenging conversation" to have, telling your parents you’re dating someone three decades older than you.
But she’s leaned into it. In an interview with Megyn Kelly, she called it an "atypical love story" but insisted that the age gap isn't a factor in their day-to-day life. She calls him her "rock" and her "greatest supporter."
There's a pragmatic side to it, too. While most 28-year-olds are dating guys who are still trying to figure out their careers, Riccio provides a level of stability that allows Karoline to be a "workaholic" in Washington.
Recent News: A History-Making Pregnancy
As of early 2026, the couple is preparing for another big change. On December 26, 2025, Karoline announced they are expecting their second child—a baby girl due in May 2026.
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This makes Karoline the first pregnant White House Press Secretary to serve while in office. It’s a massive milestone. She’s already joked about having "PTSD" when it comes to making social plans because her job is so demanding, but she credits the "pro-family" environment of the current administration for making it possible to balance the podium with a toddler and a pregnancy.
Why This Matters for the Rest of Us
The story of Nicholas Riccio and Karoline Leavitt is a reminder that personal lives are rarely as tidy as people want them to be. Whether you agree with her politics or not, their dynamic offers a few real-world takeaways:
- Complementary Partners Often Thrive: She’s the ultimate extrovert; he’s a deep introvert. She’s in the public eye; he stays in the background. That balance often prevents the "too many cooks in the kitchen" syndrome in a marriage.
- Support Systems are Non-Negotiable: You can’t hold a job like Press Secretary without a partner who is willing to take the lead on the home front. Nicholas’s flexibility as a business owner is what makes Karoline’s career possible.
- Transparency Blunts Criticism: By being open about the age gap and the "challenging" talks with her parents, Karoline took the sting out of the gossip. When you own your story, it’s harder for others to use it against you.
If you want to keep up with how they manage the move to a family of four while navigating the 2026 political cycle, your best bet is following Karoline’s occasional "life updates" on Instagram. She usually keeps the political talk for the briefing room and the family photos for the weekend.
Next Steps for You:
If you're following the career of Karoline Leavitt, you might want to look into the "Pro-Family" policies she often cites in briefings, as these frequently mirror the personal balance she’s trying to strike at home. You can also research the history of Wentworth By the Sea, the historic New Hampshire venue where they wed, to see why it's a staple for New England's elite.