The 32-Year Gap: 5 Surprising Facts About Karoline Leavitt's Husband, Nicholas Riccio

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House Press Secretary in United States history, has captured international attention not only for her rapid rise in conservative politics but also for her highly-publicized personal life. As of December 2025, the focus remains squarely on her marriage to Nicholas Riccio, a successful property developer whose relationship with the political spokesperson is defined by a significant 32-year age difference and a shared commitment to family life. This deep dive explores the man behind the headlines, providing the latest, most current details about Nicholas Riccio and his life with one of Washington's most talked-about figures. The couple's journey, from a Christmas Day engagement in 2023 to their wedding just days before President Donald Trump's second inauguration in January 2025, has been a central topic of discussion. Their unusual dynamic, featuring a high-profile political figure and a private, established businessman, offers a fascinating look into the personal world of the Trump administration's key communicator.

Karoline Leavitt: A Snapshot Biography and Career Profile

Karoline Claire Leavitt has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in American politics, known for her staunch conservatism and articulate defense of the Trump administration. Her career trajectory is a testament to her ambition and dedication to public service.

• Full Name: Karoline Claire Leavitt
• Date of Birth: August 24, 1997
• Age (as of December 2025): 28
• Place of Birth: Plaistow, New Hampshire
• Education: Saint Anselm College (B.A. in Politics and Communications)
• Current Role: 36th White House Press Secretary (Appointed 2025)
• Historical Significance: Youngest person in U.S. history to serve as White House Press Secretary.
• Previous Roles: Assistant Press Secretary in the Trump White House (2020-2021), Communications Director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, and Press Secretary for the Donald Trump 2024 Presidential Campaign.
• Marital Status: Married to Nicholas Riccio (January 2025)
• Children: One son, Niko (born July 2024)

Nicholas Riccio: The Man Behind the Headlines

Nicholas Riccio, Karoline Leavitt's husband, maintains a relatively low profile compared to his politically active wife, but his background and profession are notable. He is a successful figure in the New Hampshire business community, which is where his path crossed with the rising political star.

Riccio is primarily known as a property developer. His career is rooted in real estate and business, offering a stark contrast to Leavitt’s life in the political spotlight. The couple's relationship first drew public attention due to the significant difference in their ages, which they have openly discussed and addressed in media interviews.

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Here are the five most surprising and current facts about Nicholas Riccio and his marriage to Karoline Leavitt:

1. The 32-Year Age Gap: A Central Talking Point

The most discussed aspect of their relationship is the substantial age difference. Karoline Leavitt was born in August 1997, while Nicholas Riccio was reportedly born around 1965, making him 32 years her senior.

When they married in January 2025, Leavitt was 27, and Riccio was 59. This age-gap marriage is highly unusual for a major political figure and has been a source of both curiosity and commentary. Leavitt has acknowledged the "challenging" nature of the age gap but has consistently emphasized that their shared values and deep connection transcend the difference in their years.

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2. Their Son, Niko, Was Born Before Their Wedding

In a detail that surprised many, the couple welcomed their son, Niko, in July 2024, six months before they officially tied the knot.

Karoline Leavitt, a practicing Catholic, gave birth to their first child, a boy named Niko, during the heat of the 2024 presidential campaign. This timeline—baby first, then marriage—provided a unique narrative for the couple, further cementing the idea that their relationship follows its own unconventional path, prioritizing family over traditional sequencing.

3. The Wedding Was Timed with the Trump Inauguration

The couple’s wedding took place in January 2025, just days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration.

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This timing was significant, as it occurred immediately before Leavitt officially stepped into her role as the White House Press Secretary, a position that would immediately make her one of the most visible women in the new administration. The wedding itself was a private affair, allowing the couple to celebrate their union before Leavitt was thrust into the intense media scrutiny of her new, historic role.

4. Nicholas Riccio is a New Hampshire Property Developer

Riccio’s professional background is firmly in the world of business and real estate. He is known as a property developer, a career that keeps him largely out of the Washington D.C. political bubble.

This separation of professional worlds—Riccio in New Hampshire development and Leavitt in D.C. politics—allows for a degree of privacy and stability away from the constant media glare. His established career provides a grounding element for Leavitt, who has spent her entire adult life in the highly volatile environment of conservative politics and media.

5. The Engagement Happened on Christmas Day 2023

Nicholas Riccio proposed to Karoline Leavitt on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, in her home state of New Hampshire.

The holiday engagement added a romantic, personal touch to their story, which is often overshadowed by political and age-gap discussions. The proposal marked the beginning of a whirlwind year for the couple, culminating in their son's birth, the wedding, and Leavitt's appointment to the highest communications post in the White House.

The Impact of Karoline Leavitt's Role on Her Family Life

Leavitt's appointment as White House Press Secretary in 2025 is a demanding, 24/7 role that places immense pressure on her and, by extension, her family.

The role requires constant travel, intense media preparation, and a commitment to being the public face and voice of the administration. For a young couple with a new baby, this presents unique logistical and personal challenges. The fact that Nicholas Riccio is a private businessman with an established career outside of politics may help provide a stable home environment away from the political fray. However, even a private family life can be drawn into the public sphere, as evidenced by a recent news story in November 2025 concerning the mother of Leavitt's nephew being detained by U.S. immigration.

The couple's ability to navigate the demands of a high-power political career, a significant age difference, and the needs of a newborn son speaks volumes about their commitment. Their story is a modern political romance—unconventional, highly visible, and constantly evolving under the brightest spotlight in the world.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords

The discussion of Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio naturally involves a number of related entities and search terms that provide topical authority:

• Political Figures: Donald Trump, Elise Stefanik, White House Press Secretary, Press Briefing.
• Locations: New Hampshire, Washington D.C., Plaistow.
• Key Dates: January 2025 (Wedding/Appointment), July 2024 (Son's Birth), December 25, 2023 (Engagement).
• Relationship Terms: Age-Gap Marriage, Property Developer, White House Staffer, Conservative Public Figure, Family Life, Niko Riccio.
• Career Milestones: Youngest Press Secretary, Trump Administration, Communications Director, Political Advisor.