Karoline Leavitt’s husband, Nicholas Riccio, has attracted considerable attention because of his age, business career and relationship with one of the most visible political figures in the Trump administration.
Leavitt and Riccio married in January 2025 and now have two young children. Their relationship has also remained in the spotlight because Riccio is 32 years older than Leavitt. In August 2026, Leavitt announced that she would leave her position as White House press secretary at the end of the month, saying that spending more time with her family had become a priority.
Who Is Nicholas?
Nicholas Riccio is a New Hampshire real estate developer and investor. He built his business through property investments and rental real estate, developing a portfolio that includes properties in the Hampton Beach area and elsewhere in New Hampshire.
His career is particularly notable because his financial circumstances were very different when he was younger. Reports about his background describe periods of homelessness and serious financial hardship before he established himself in the real estate industry.
Today, Riccio’s business interests are associated with Riccio Enterprises LLC and Nautical Beach Properties, through which he has built and managed residential and rental properties.
How They Met
Leavitt and Riccio met in 2022, during Leavitt’s campaign for Congress in New Hampshire.
Their relationship developed away from the political spotlight before eventually becoming public. The couple married in January 2025, shortly before Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
Their wedding came at a significant moment in Leavitt’s career. She was preparing to enter the White House as Trump’s press secretary, a position that would make her one of the most recognizable young political communicators in Washington.
The Age Gap
The most discussed aspect of their marriage is the couple’s 32-year age difference.
Leavitt is 28, while Riccio is 60. She has acknowledged that the difference initially created an awkward situation when she introduced him to her parents because of his age relative to her father.
Despite the unusual circumstances, Leavitt has described Riccio in deeply personal terms, calling him her rock, best friend and greatest supporter.
She has also characterized their relationship as an atypical love story while emphasizing that the age gap does not define their marriage.
The couple’s decision to build a family together has further shifted public attention from the numbers surrounding their ages to their day-to-day life as parents.
Their First Child
Leavitt and Riccio welcomed their first child, a son named Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio, in July 2024.
His birth came before his parents’ wedding and while Leavitt was preparing for the next stage of her political career.
The arrival of Niko also introduced a new dimension to Leavitt’s public life. She was balancing a rapidly rising political career with the responsibilities of becoming a mother for the first time.
By the time she became White House press secretary in January 2025, she was already navigating the demands of a young family alongside one of Washington’s most demanding communications positions.
Daughter Viviana
The couple welcomed their second child, Viviana “Vivi” Riccio, on May 1, 2026.
Leavitt announced the birth several days later, describing her daughter as healthy and saying that the family was enjoying time together with their newborn.
The baby arrived while Leavitt was serving as White House press secretary. She subsequently took maternity leave before gradually returning to public duties.
People reported that Leavitt returned to the White House briefing room on July 16, 2026, following her maternity leave.
That return ultimately preceded a much bigger decision about her career.
White House Exit
On August 12, 2026, Leavitt announced that she would step down as White House press secretary at the end of August.
The decision came only a few months after the birth of her daughter and shortly after her return from maternity leave.
Leavitt explained that working as press secretary while raising two very young children had made her reconsider how she wanted to divide her time. She said she did not believe she could give her children the level of attention she wanted while maintaining the constant demands of the White House position.
President Trump confirmed her departure and said she would continue working as an outside adviser.
The move does not represent a complete departure from politics. Instead, it allows Leavitt to remain involved while spending more time with Riccio and their children.
Riccio’s Business
Riccio’s wealth comes primarily from real estate rather than politics or entertainment.
His portfolio has included rental properties and residential investments in New Hampshire, particularly around Hampton Beach. His businesses have allowed him to generate income through property ownership and management.
His personal story has also received attention because of the contrast between his early struggles and his later financial success.
Before becoming a successful property investor, Riccio reportedly experienced homelessness during his younger years. He eventually obtained his real estate license and began building his portfolio.
That background has made his relationship with Leavitt especially interesting to followers who want to understand the man behind the political figure’s family life.
Family First
Leavitt’s decision to leave the White House highlights how quickly her priorities have changed.
When she became press secretary in January 2025, she made history as the youngest person to hold the position. She later became the first White House press secretary to openly navigate a pregnancy while serving in the role.
Her second pregnancy and the birth of Viviana brought a new challenge: managing an around-the-clock political job while caring for two children who are only about two years apart.
Her August 2026 announcement suggests that family considerations ultimately outweighed the demands of remaining in the West Wing.
Their Life Together
Despite the intense public interest surrounding their age difference and Leavitt’s political career, the couple has generally kept much of their family life private.
Riccio does not have the same public profile as his wife, although his business background has made him a subject of increasing media interest.
Leavitt, meanwhile, has continued to describe her husband as a major source of personal support. Their two children have become an important part of her public story as she navigates the intersection of motherhood and politics.
Nicholas Riccio is Karoline Leavitt’s husband, a New Hampshire real estate investor and developer who married the political spokesperson in January 2025.
Their 32-year age difference has generated headlines, but Leavitt has repeatedly emphasized the strength of their relationship and described Riccio as her closest supporter.
The couple now has two children, Niko and Viviana, and their family life played an important role in Leavitt’s decision to leave the White House press secretary position at the end of August 2026.
