White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, acknowledges that the significant age difference between her and her husband—32 years—has sparked public questions. She remains unbothered by the attention, having long expected their relationship to draw notice.
Leavitt became the youngest press secretary in U.S. history when President Donald Trump appointed her last year. She married Nicholas Riccio, a 60-year-old New Hampshire real estate developer, in January, just before Trump’s second inauguration. The couple, who welcomed their son Niko in July 2024, have kept their family life largely private until now.
On Pod Force One with Miranda Devine, Leavitt directly addressed their relationship’s 32-year age gap, noting that while unusual, it is not a concern for her. When asked about dating older men, she simply replied, “Honestly, no, if you want to know the truth,” emphasizing her genuine connection with Riccio.
Leavitt and Riccio met in 2022 while Leavitt was running for Congress. She lost that election but stayed in touch with Riccio, leading to their engagement in late 2023 and their son’s birth the following summer. Riccio is a longtime New Hampshire real estate developer.
Leavitt said that although she was confident in the relationship from the beginning, the age gap was initially difficult for her parents to process — especially since her mother is younger than Riccio. She described those early conversations as delicate but said her family warmed to him after spending time together. “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,” she said. According to Leavitt, the families now interact comfortably, with her husband forming a close bond with her parents during visits.
Leavitt described Riccio as introverted and private, in contrast to her public-facing role. She highlighted his deep involvement at home and his close relationship with their son, calling him a devoted, hands-on father.
Although Riccio values privacy and rarely appears on Leavitt’s social media, he supports her career and follows her work closely. Occasional family moments, like Halloween at the White House, offer rare glimpses into their private life.
In the interview, Leavitt also touched on how she balances the demands of her high-profile role with motherhood. She said she sets boundaries to ensure she’s home for bedtime and makes full use of weekends to focus on family. The approach, she noted, has helped her stay grounded amid the intense scrutiny directed at the president’s chief spokesperson.
Despite public curiosity, Leavitt remains unfazed by outside opinions. Her focus is on maintaining stability in her home life while handling the intense demands of her position.
