White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has spoken candidly about her marriage to Nicolas Riccio, a real estate developer who is 32 years her senior.
The couple tied the knot in January 2025, just before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Leavitt, shared wedding photos on Instagram on March 12, describing their wedding day as one of the happiest moments of her life.
A Love Story That Began in Politics
Leavitt recently appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show, where she reflected on her relationship, describing it as “atypical but incredibly supportive.”
She recalled first meeting Riccio in 2022 at a New Hampshire restaurant event while running for Congress. Although she secured the Republican nomination, she ultimately lost the race to Democrat Chris Pappas. However, that political campaign led to personal gains, as it introduced her to Riccio.
“A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband. I was speaking,” Leavitt explained. “We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love.”
Despite initial concerns about their age difference, Leavitt said it quickly became a non-issue. She emphasized how much she values Riccio’s support, describing him as her “greatest supporter, best friend, and rock.”
“He’s built a very successful business himself, so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career,” she said.
Marriage, Motherhood, and Career
The couple got engaged on Christmas 2023, and just a few months later, they welcomed their son, Nicholas Robert Riccio, on July 10, 2024.
After giving birth, Leavitt took to Instagram to share her excitement about motherhood, writing:
“It’s true when they say there’s nothing comparable to the love you feel for your child. My heart has grown bigger than I ever imagined possible. Babies are the ultimate blessing, and I’m bursting with gratitude for our beautiful, happy, healthy boy.”
During her interview, she also reflected on how her husband has embraced the chaos of her fast-paced career.
“He’s the father of my child, and he’s the best dad I could ever ask for. And he is so supportive, especially during a very chaotic period of life… I say, ‘I walked into your life and it’s been a circus ever since,’ but God bless him because he’s fully on board.”
A Private Partner in a Public Life
Although Leavitt is a prominent public figure, Riccio prefers to stay out of the spotlight. She acknowledged this dynamic in a social media post, calling him an introvert and the complete opposite of her.
“I respect his privacy on here, but he’s my number one fan, the best dad, and just the best man I’ve ever met.”
Despite his private nature, she emphasized that he remains her biggest supporter, encouraging her political ambitions while staying behind the scenes.
As she continues balancing her role as a mother, wife, and political figure, Leavitt remains grateful for the unwavering support of her husband and their growing family.
