If you’ve seen the fiery exchanges at the White House podium lately, you’ve probably wondered about the person behind the mic. Karoline Leavitt isn’t just a new face in Washington; she’s a record-breaker. At 27, she became the youngest White House Press Secretary in American history. But before the briefings and the national spotlight, she was just a kid from a small town in New England.
So, where is Karoline Leavitt from exactly?
Basically, she's a New Hampshire native through and through. Born on August 24, 1997, Karoline Claire Leavitt grew up in Atkinson, New Hampshire, a quiet town of about 7,000 people nestled right against the Massachusetts border. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows your business, and for Karoline, that business was ice cream and trucks.
The Granite State Roots: Atkinson and Plaistow
Karoline didn't come from a political dynasty. Her upbringing was rooted in the blue-collar, small-business world of Rockingham County. Her parents, Bob and Erin Leavitt, are well-known locals. Her father owns a used truck dealership in nearby Plaistow, and the family famously ran an ice cream stand in Atkinson.
Growing up, Karoline wasn't just hanging out; she was working. She spent her summers scooping ice cream at the family stand, a detail she’s often cited as the foundation of her work ethic. It’s also where she says she learned to talk to people from all walks of life—a skill that’s pretty handy when you’re dealing with the White House press corps.
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She was the youngest of three children in a devout Roman Catholic household. That religious upbringing is a big part of who she is today. She’s been open about how her faith guides her daily routine, even mentioning that she leads her team in prayer before stepping out for press briefings.
Schooling and the Move to "Hardball"
Even though she’s a New Hampshire girl, her high school years actually took her across the state line. She attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
High school for her was about two things: faith and softball. She was a standout athlete, earning an Eagle-Tribune All-Star nod in 2014 and 2015. After graduating high school in 2015, she headed back to her home state to attend Saint Anselm College in Manchester.
At Saint A’s, she wasn't originally planning on a career in the West Wing. She actually had a scholarship to play softball. But things shifted. She realized her passion wasn't on the field; it was in the "new media" and political spheres. She started the college’s first broadcasting club and wrote for the student paper, the Saint Anselm Crier.
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A Quick Look at Her Education
- High School: Central Catholic High School (Lawrence, MA)
- College: Saint Anselm College (Manchester, NH)
- Degree: B.A. in Communications and Politics (Class of 2019)
It was during these college years that her political identity solidified. She’s often described herself as the "token conservative" on campus. She wasn't shy about it, either, writing opinion pieces that criticized the "liberal media" long before she was the one standing at the podium.
From New Hampshire to the West Wing
The jump from a New Hampshire college student to a White House staffer happened faster than most people realize. While still a student, she landed an internship at Fox News. Then came the big break: a summer internship in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence.
Honestly, it’s a classic "right place, right time" story, but with a lot of hustle. After graduating in 2019, she went back to the White House full-time, eventually becoming an assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany.
When the first Trump administration ended, she didn't just fade away. She moved to New York to work as the communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik. But the pull of home was strong. In 2022, she moved back to New Hampshire to run for Congress in the 1st District. She won a surprising, hard-fought Republican primary but ultimately lost the general election to incumbent Chris Pappas.
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Life at Home Today
While her career is in D.C., her heart and her family remain tied to the New England area. She is married to Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer who is also from New Hampshire. The couple met in 2022 at a restaurant while she was on the campaign trail.
They have a son, Nicholas (nicknamed "Niko"), born in July 2024. In a wild turn of events, she actually returned to work as the campaign’s national press secretary just days after giving birth—specifically on the day of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.
As of early 2026, Karoline is balancing being a mother to a toddler and a high-profile government official. She recently announced she is pregnant with her second child, continuing her streak as one of the most prominent "working moms" in the current administration.
Why Her Origins Matter
Understanding where Karoline Leavitt is from explains a lot about her style. She doesn't have the polished, Ivy League vibe of many previous press secretaries. She has that blunt, "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire attitude.
She often frames her political views through the lens of her family’s small business struggles during the pandemic. For her, the "swamp" isn't just a metaphor; it's the opposite of the ice cream stand and the truck dealership where she grew up.
Key Takeaways for Following Her Career:
- Watch the New Hampshire connection: She frequently references her home state in interviews to ground her policy stances.
- Pay attention to her media philosophy: Her background in student broadcasting and her internship at Fox News shaped her "disrupter" approach to the White House briefing room.
- Note her age and background: As the first Gen Z person in this role, she’s actively trying to bridge the gap between traditional politics and "new media" like podcasts and influencers.
If you’re looking to keep tabs on her work, the best way is to watch the official White House briefings or follow her updates on social media, where she frequently posts about both policy and her life as a New Hampshire mom in Washington.