Being the youngest White House press secretary in American history was never going to be easy. But Karoline Leavitt — now 28 and serving in one of the most scrutinized roles in Washington — says that milestone wasn’t the only major life change she was navigating when President Trump appointed her last year.

At the same time she was stepping into the most prominent job of her career, Leavitt was also preparing for a much more personal conversation: telling her parents she was dating a man more than three decades her senior.

“It’s definitely a challenging conversation to have at first,” Leavitt said in a candid interview with Miranda Devine on the Pod Force One podcast. “But once they got to know him and saw who he is as a man and his character and how much he adores me, I think it became quite easy for them.”

Her now-husband, Nicholas Riccio, is 60 years old — 32 years older than she is. Their relationship began in 2022, when Leavitt was just 25 and running for a congressional seat in New Hampshire. The two built a quiet partnership in the middle of a hectic campaign cycle, developing a bond that she says was rooted in stability, mutual respect, and an unexpected shared sense of home.

Now, years later, the couple is married, raising a toddler, and navigating life under the intense spotlight that accompanies every White House administration.

The Conversation No Daughter Looks Forward To

Leavitt did not sugar-coat the moment she told her parents she was dating someone near their own age.

“It was difficult,” she admitted. “Of course it was. I think any family would need time to digest that.”

But time, she says, made all the difference.

Her parents’ initial hesitation gave way to acceptance, understanding, and eventually genuine affection for Riccio.

“Once they spent time with him and saw how he treats me, their hesitation disappeared,” she said. “Now we’re all friends. We have a lot of fun together when they visit. It’s a typical family relationship.”

Leavitt’s parents also had a front-row seat to the pressures she endured during her congressional run — long days, travel, nonstop calls, criticism, and scrutiny. They also saw the steadiness Riccio provided during a period when few other parts of her life were calm.

“That meant something to them,” she said. “They saw how much he supported me.”

A Relationship That Survived Politics, Parenting, and the National Spotlight

Leavitt and Riccio’s relationship did not start quietly. When they began dating, she was running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Hampshire’s 1st District — an effort that made national news and brought sudden visibility into her personal life.

Still, the couple weathered the campaign with a shared sense of focus.

“We supported each other, and that foundation carried us through everything that came next,” she said.

What came next was monumental: a job in the White House, a baby, a wedding, and life lived under constant public attention.

Their son, Niko, arrived in July 2024

Leavitt gives Riccio tremendous credit for balancing fatherhood and support for her career.

“My husband has such respect for my parents and for how they raised me,” she said. “And he has passed that same sense of family into how we’re raising our son.”

They married in January 2025

The ceremony took place just two days before President Trump was sworn in for a second term, according to People magazine.

“It was a whirlwind,” she said. “But it was wonderful.”

The timing meant that as other newlyweds were settling into married life, Leavitt was simultaneously moving into a once-in-a-lifetime professional role.

From New Hampshire’s North Country to the White House Podium

Leavitt’s rise has been as rapid as it has been unconventional.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, she interned in the Trump White House during the first administration, later becoming a producer for Fox News. She returned to the political arena to run for Congress in 2022, garnering national attention for her aggressive messaging and energetic campaigning.

Though she did not win the seat, her profile surged — positioning her as a fresh, combative Republican voice with a strong following among young conservatives.

In 2024, Trump tapped her to become White House press secretary, making her the youngest person in history to hold the role.

The job catapulted her into public life at a speed few 20-somethings ever experience.

Riccio, she says, helped her remain grounded.

“His support has been constant,” she said. “And that stability, especially with everything that comes with this job, has meant everything.”

Family as a Foundation, Not a Distraction

On the podcast, Leavitt spoke warmly about her larger family dynamic — including how her parents and Riccio quickly built an unexpectedly easy rapport.

“We have a wonderful time together,” she said. “There’s no friction, no tension. It’s relaxed. It’s normal.”

While unconventional relationships can sometimes lead to strained family dynamics, Leavitt emphasized the opposite outcome.

“My husband is part of the family,” she said. “He is someone my parents respect and enjoy spending time with.”

The arrival of baby Niko has only deepened those ties.

“My parents adore their grandson,” she said. “And Nicholas is such a cornerstone of our family, not just for me, but for all of us.”

Balancing Motherhood and the Press Secretary Podium

The role of White House press secretary is notoriously demanding — long hours, intense media scrutiny, and daily battles in the briefing room.

Leavitt acknowledges that motherhood has added another dimension.

“It’s a lot,” she admitted. “But I love being a mom, and I love my job. My husband has been incredible in helping make that balance possible.”

Her comments reflect a broader theme in her personal life — that unexpected choices can create stability rather than chaos.

This includes her marriage, her career trajectory, and even her willingness to share her personal story publicly.

A Love Story Defined by Timing, Support, and Determination

While the couple’s 32-year age gap is striking, Leavitt insists that the substance of their partnership is what matters.

“I’m grateful to have someone who is truly my partner,” she said. “Someone who supports me, who loves our family, who shows up every day.”

Their story is one of unconventional timing, but also one of steady loyalty.

They met at a moment when Leavitt was launching herself into public life. They built a relationship in the middle of a political storm. They welcomed a baby while she was rising through national Republican ranks. They married right as she stepped onto the biggest communications stage in the country.

In all of it, Riccio remained the constant.

Leavitt’s Openness Surprises Some — But Resonates With Many

The White House press secretary job is typically one of careful messaging and guarded personal disclosure.
Yet Leavitt has not shied away from speaking openly about her marriage, her family, and the dynamics that shaped her relationship.

Her interview with Miranda Devine was striking in its candor — not because of controversy, but because of vulnerability.

“It’s a typical family,” she repeated.
A simple statement, but one that may resonate with younger Americans balancing shifting expectations around relationships, career, and family life.

What’s Next for the Leavitt-Riccio Family?

With Niko now approaching toddlerhood and Leavitt commanding one of the most visible platforms in politics, the family’s public and private lives will likely continue to evolve.

For now, Leavitt says balance is found in the basics:

family visits

shared parenting

a sense of humor

mutual respect

and an understanding that love doesn’t always follow expected timelines

Her story — at once deeply personal and uniquely public — reflects a modern truth:
Families come together in unexpected ways, and what matters most is the strength of the bonds, not how they began.

A Press Secretary, a Husband, and a Family Built on Their Own Terms

Karoline Leavitt’s unconventional love story is not just a footnote in her rise to political prominence. It is part of what makes her human in a role that often demands polished perfection.

She is:

a young mom

a groundbreaking press secretary

a woman who had an uncomfortable but honest conversation with her parents

a daughter who found family harmony in an unexpected place

and a partner who speaks openly about the support that keeps her life grounded

Her relationship, though unconventional by traditional standards, is one built on affection, shared values, and resilience.

In the end, that is the story she seems most eager to share:

Love is rarely predictable.
But with the right person — and the right support — it can thrive even under the brightest spotlight in the world.