The Seven Children Of Pete Hegseth: Names, Ages, And Their New Life As The Defense Secretary's Family

The family life of Pete Hegseth has been thrust into the national spotlight, especially following his high-profile appointment as the U.S. Secretary of Defense in late 2024. As of December 2025, the former Fox News host and Army veteran is a father and stepfather to a blended family of seven children, a significant detail that has captivated the public as they transition into their new life in Middle Tennessee. This extensive family unit, which includes four biological children and three stepchildren, is a central part of Hegseth’s personal narrative, often shared with his audience as a testament to his values of faith, family, and freedom.

The sheer size and complexity of the Hegseth-Rauchet family—a mix of sons and daughters from multiple relationships—makes their story unique among Washington's power players. From his eldest son, who is already showing a keen interest in military service, to his youngest daughter, the children represent the next generation of a prominent American political family. This article provides a definitive look at all seven children and the structure of Pete Hegseth’s current family.

Pete Hegseth: A Brief Biography and Family Profile

Peter Brian Hegseth has had a career defined by military service, media commentary, and political advocacy. Born on June 6, 1980, he is a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, having served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and was a prominent contributor and co-host on Fox News Channel before his political appointment.

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• Full Name: Peter Brian Hegseth
• Date of Birth: June 6, 1980
• Age (as of December 2025): 45 years old
• Place of Birth: Forest Lake, Minnesota
• Education: Princeton University (B.A.), Harvard University (M.P.A.)
• Military Service: U.S. Army National Guard (served in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan)
• Current Role: U.S. Secretary of Defense (Appointed in late 2024)
• First Wife: Meredith Schwarz (Married 2004, Divorced)
• Second Wife: Samantha Deering (Married 2010, Divorced 2017)
• Current Wife: Jennifer Rauchet (Married 2019)
• Total Children: Seven (Four biological, three stepchildren)

The Four Biological Children of Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth is the biological father of four children, three sons from his second marriage and one daughter from his current marriage. These children are frequently featured on his social media, highlighting their shared family adventures and traditional values.

1. Gunner Hegseth

Gunner is the eldest of Hegseth’s sons. He is reportedly around 19 years old as of 2024, making him approximately 20 in late 2025. Gunner has been noted for sharing his father's patriotic and military interests. Hegseth often posts about Gunner's outdoor adventures and his keen interest in military service, suggesting a potential continuation of the family's legacy of service.

2. Boone Hegseth

Boone is Hegseth’s second son from his marriage to Samantha Deering. While his exact age is not publicly specified, he is part of the trio of brothers who grew up together before the family's blended expansion. The three boys—Gunner, Boone, and Rex—were a constant presence in Hegseth's life during his time as a Fox News commentator.

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3. Rex Hegseth

Rex is the youngest son from Hegseth's second marriage. Like his older brothers, he is often seen in family photos and is part of the core group of biological children. The boys’ names—Gunner, Boone, and Rex—all evoke a rugged, traditional American spirit, reflecting their father’s public persona and values.

4. Gwendolyn "Gwen" Hegseth

Gwendolyn, affectionately known as Gwen, is the only biological child shared between Pete Hegseth and his current wife, Jennifer Rauchet. Gwen was born in 2017, prior to their 2019 marriage. Her birth was a significant event that marked the beginning of Hegseth’s current family unit. She is the youngest of Hegseth’s biological children, bringing a dynamic shift to the family's older male-dominated sibling group.

The Blended Family: Three Stepchildren with Jennifer Rauchet

Pete Hegseth’s current marriage to Jennifer Rauchet, a television producer, created a large, blended family of seven children. In addition to their shared daughter, Gwen, Hegseth became a stepfather to Rauchet’s three children from her previous relationship.

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The family structure now includes four biological children of Pete (Gunner, Boone, Rex, Gwendolyn) and three stepchildren, making a total of seven kids who now call the Defense Secretary "Dad" or "Stepdad." The children’s names, as sometimes reported in a complete list of all seven, include Jackson, Peter, Kensington, and Luke, though it can be challenging to definitively distinguish which names belong to the stepchildren due to privacy.

The focus on creating a unified, faith-based home is a recurring theme in the Hegseth family's public statements. They have emphasized their commitment to raising all seven children to "love God and country and to value freedom," regardless of their biological parentage. This commitment to a unified family vision has been a cornerstone of their transition to a higher-profile life.

Life in Middle Tennessee and the Defense Secretary's Family

The Hegseth family, including all seven children, relocated to Middle Tennessee, a move that predates Pete Hegseth’s appointment as Defense Secretary but aligns with his public and political values. This move from the Northeast was a deliberate choice to raise their children in a region that better reflects their conservative and traditional Christian faith.

The family’s presence was notable during the official swearing-in ceremony for Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary. All seven children stood by his side, a powerful visual statement about the importance of family in his new high-stakes role. This public display underscored the fact that the entire family unit, including the stepchildren, is part of this new chapter in American politics.

The challenges of managing a family of seven—with children spanning a wide range of ages, including a college-aged son and a young daughter—while navigating the demands of one of the highest offices in the U.S. government, is immense. However, the Hegseth-Rauchet family has presented a united front, focusing on their shared values and commitment to their faith as they adjust to the intense scrutiny and responsibilities that come with their father’s new position.