Karoline Leavitt is opening up like never before about her personal life. The 27-year-old White House press secretary recently gave a rare glimpse into her relationship with husband Nicholas Riccio, 59, candidly addressing their 32-year age difference.
“It’s a very atypical love story, but he’s incredible,” Karoline shared with Megyn Kelly on her show, according to E! News. “He is my greatest supporter, my best friend, my rock.”
She revealed how their connection began: “A mutual friend hosted an event at a restaurant he owns in New Hampshire and invited my husband. I was speaking at the event. We met, started out as friends, and then we fell in love.”
Karoline Leavitt’s political journey began in Washington, D.C., where she served as a White House assistant press secretary under President Donald Trump before becoming communications director for Representative Elise Stefanik. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District. Although she didn’t win, the campaign boosted her profile within the Republican Party and paved the way for a prominent role in Trump’s second administration.
It was during that very campaign that Leavitt met Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer who would later become her husband. Despite the electoral setback, the experience shaped both her political career and her personal life. Today, as the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history, Leavitt is a rising star in conservative politics.
The couple got engaged in 2023 and welcomed their son, Nicholas Robert “Niko” Riccio, in July. Niko arrived just months before they tied the knot — a wedding Leavitt fondly described as “one of my favorite days” in an Instagram post — which took place two weeks ahead of President Trump’s second inauguration in January.
As she navigates the challenges of her high-profile role, Leavitt acknowledges that the significant generational gap between her and her husband has offered a unique perspective and advantage in her journey.
She praised Riccio’s accomplishments as a successful businessman and emphasized his steadfast support as she advances her career. “His encouragement means the world to me, especially during such a busy and demanding time in our lives,” Leavitt shared.
