If you’ve spent any time watching the White House press briefings lately, you’ve seen Karoline Leavitt. She’s the youngest press secretary in American history, standing at the podium with a sharp, no-nonsense style that has basically become her trademark. But honestly, as much as people talk about her political sparring, the internet is way more obsessed with her personal life. Specifically, everyone wants to know: who is Karoline Leavitt’s husband?
The answer is Nicholas Riccio.
He isn't a politician. He isn't a DC insider. He’s actually a real estate developer from New Hampshire who lived a whole life before ever meeting the woman who would become the voice of the Trump administration. And yeah, let's address the elephant in the room right away—there is a massive age gap. 32 years, to be exact.
From sleeping in his car to a real estate empire
Nicholas Riccio’s backstory is kind of wild. It’s the kind of "started from the bottom" narrative that sounds like a movie script. He grew up in New Hampshire, but things weren't exactly easy. After his parents, Anthony and Marilyn, got divorced, his childhood became a bit of a scramble. By the time he was 18, he was actually homeless.
Imagine being 19 years old, calling up your buddies to ask if you can come over to "watch a game" just so you can use their shower. That was his reality. He put himself through Plymouth State University by stocking shelves at a grocery store and borrowing whatever cash he could. Even after graduating, he was often sleeping in his car because he couldn't swing the rent.
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Everything flipped in 1990. He took a real estate course and saw potential in the rundown areas of Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. He started small—buying one building—and eventually built Riccio Enterprises and Nautical Beach Properties. Today, he’s sitting on a multimillion-dollar portfolio (estimated at around $6 million) and owns more than 15 buildings. He’s basically a local legend for revitalizing that area.
An "atypical" love story in the middle of a campaign
So, how did a Gen Z political star and a Boomer real estate mogul even meet? It wasn't on an app. They were introduced in 2022 during Leavitt’s congressional campaign in New Hampshire.
A mutual friend who owns a restaurant hosted an event where Karoline was speaking. Nicholas was invited. They started as friends—acquaintances, really—but things eventually turned romantic. Karoline has been pretty open about the fact that she was a bit hesitant at first because of the age difference. Honestly, who wouldn't be?
"It is very unusual," Leavitt admitted in a 2025 interview on the Pod Force One podcast. "He is my greatest supporter, he's my best friend, and he's my rock."
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They went "Instagram official" in 2023 when Nicholas proposed over the Christmas holiday. They didn't wait long to start a family, either. Their son, Nicholas Robert “Niko” Riccio, was born on July 10, 2024. If you follow Karoline on social media, you’ve probably seen Niko—he’s frequently at the White House, even meeting President Trump.
The wedding and the "controversial" 32-year gap
The couple officially tied the knot in January 2025 at the Wentworth By the Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire. It happened just days before Trump’s second inauguration. It was a private ceremony, but the photos Leavitt later shared showed a classic, elegant vibe.
Of course, the public reaction hasn't always been sunshine and roses. People on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok have been pretty brutal about the age gap. Nicholas is 60, and Karoline is 28. That's a huge difference. Her own parents, Bob and Erin, reportedly found it "challenging" to accept at first. I mean, Nicholas is closer in age to them than he is to his wife.
But according to Karoline, once they saw how much he "adores" her and how hands-on he is as a father, the tension melted away. Now, they’re all one big happy family.
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Why Nicholas stays behind the scenes
You won't see Nicholas Riccio fighting with reporters in the North Lawn. He’s an introvert. He hates social media. While his wife is out there being the face of the executive branch, he’s usually back home in New Hampshire or DC, managing his properties and taking care of Niko.
Leavitt has credited his success for giving her the freedom to pursue such a high-pressure career. Because he already built his "empire," he can afford to be the primary parent when she’s stuck at the White House until midnight.
What's next for the Riccio-Leavitt family?
Just when you thought her schedule couldn't get any crazier, Karoline announced in late 2025 that she is pregnant again. They’re expecting a baby girl in 2026. This makes her the first-ever pregnant White House press secretary, which is a pretty cool bit of history.
Actionable Insights:
- Watch the background: If you see Karoline posting photos of "Nautical Beach Properties" or Hampton Beach, that's a direct nod to her husband's business.
- Follow the milestones: With a second baby on the way in 2026, expect to see more "day in the life" content featuring Nicholas and Niko as they balance the White House circus with a growing family.
- Look past the headlines: While the age gap gets the clicks, the real story here is the financial and emotional support system that allows a 28-year-old to hold one of the most stressful jobs in the world.
The story of Nicholas Riccio and Karoline Leavitt is definitely "atypical," but in the world of high-stakes politics, having a "rock" who has already survived homelessness and built a business from scratch probably helps keep things grounded.