The Untold Story Of Pete Hegseth's Wives: A Deep Dive Into Jennifer Rauchet And His Three Marriages

As of late 2025, the woman who stands by Pete Hegseth's side, especially following his high-profile political endorsements and appearances, is his third wife, Jennifer Rauchet, a former Fox News executive producer. Their relationship, which culminated in a 2019 marriage, is one of the most talked-about unions in conservative media circles, marked by a whirlwind romance that began within the walls of their workplace and the complexities of blending a large family. The intense public curiosity surrounding "who is Pete Hegseth's wife" stems not just from his current political relevance and role as a Fox News host, but also from the complex, often controversial, history of his three marriages. This comprehensive profile delves into the life of Jennifer Rauchet, her professional background, and the full timeline of the Hegseth family's journey.

Jennifer Rauchet: Biography, Career, and Family Life

Jennifer Rauchet, now Jennifer Hegseth, is a media professional who built a successful career behind the camera before becoming a public figure. Her story is one of professional dedication, a complicated start to a relationship, and the challenges of managing a blended family of seven children.

• Full Name: Jennifer Cunningham Rauchet (now Hegseth)
• Date of Birth: January 30, 1985
• Age (as of 2025): 40 years old
• Education: Towson University, Maryland (Bachelor's Degree in Journalism)
• Profession: Television Executive Producer
• Known For: Executive Producer at Fox News, working on shows like *Fox & Friends Weekend* and *Watters' World*
• Current Spouse: Pete Hegseth (married 2019)
• Children: Seven total in the blended family. One biological daughter with Pete (Gwendolyn, born 2017) and three children from a previous marriage.

The Executive Producer Behind the Scenes at Fox News

Jennifer Rauchet’s professional credentials are as robust as her husband's public profile. She is an alumna of Towson University in Maryland, where she earned a degree in Journalism, setting the foundation for a long and successful career in television production. She began working at Fox News as early as 2006, demonstrating remarkable longevity and commitment to the network. Over the years, she climbed the ranks to become an Executive Producer. Her production credits include major Fox News programs, such as the popular morning show *Fox & Friends* and the weekend staple *Watters' World*, hosted by Jesse Watters. This role placed her in the high-pressure environment of cable news, where she and Pete Hegseth, a host and commentator, initially met and worked together.

A Controversial Start: The Hegseth-Rauchet Relationship Timeline

The relationship between Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet was far from conventional, beginning with a public scandal that garnered significant media attention.

Meeting and the 2017 Controversy

Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet first met while working at Fox News. Their professional relationship evolved into a romantic one, but this occurred while Hegseth was still legally married to his second wife, Samantha Deering. The relationship became public knowledge in 2017 when Rauchet gave birth to their daughter, Gwendolyn, in August of that year. This event sparked a media firestorm, forcing Hegseth to confront the fact that he was cheating on his wife with a Fox producer. His second marriage officially ended in divorce in 2017, paving the way for his future with Rauchet. The controversy was compounded by previous public admissions. In his first marriage to Meredith Schwarz (2004–2009), Hegseth reportedly admitted to having five affairs, indicating a pattern of infidelity that has consistently drawn criticism.

The 2019 Wedding: A New Beginning

Despite the challenging start, the couple solidified their commitment two years after the birth of their daughter. Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet were married in a ceremony at the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey, in August 2019. The wedding marked the beginning of their life together as a unified, albeit complex, family unit. The couple frequently shares photos and details of their family life on social media, presenting a united front in the public eye.

The Blended Family: Seven Children Under One Roof

One of the most compelling aspects of Pete and Jennifer Hegseth’s life is their large, blended family, a testament to the modern reality of second and third marriages. Together, they are raising seven children. The children in the Hegseth-Rauchet blended family include:

• Pete’s Sons (from his second marriage to Samantha Deering): Gunner, Boone, and Rex.
• Jennifer’s Children (from a previous marriage): Three children, whose names are generally kept private from the media.
• Their Daughter Together: Gwendolyn, born in 2017.

This large family dynamic—four of Pete's children and three of Jennifer's—creates a full and busy household. The couple often speaks about the challenges and rewards of raising a large family in the public eye, emphasizing their shared values of faith and resilience in navigating their unique circumstances.

A Look Back: Pete Hegseth's Previous Wives

To fully understand Pete Hegseth's marital journey, it is essential to look at the two women who were his wives before Jennifer Rauchet. His history includes two previous marriages, both ending in divorce.

1. Meredith Schwarz (2004–2009)

Pete Hegseth’s first wife was Meredith Schwarz, his high school sweetheart from Minnesota. They married in 2004, shortly after his college graduation from Princeton University. This marriage lasted approximately five years, ending in divorce in 2009. It was during this period that Hegseth's admitted infidelities occurred.

2. Samantha Deering (2010–2017)

Hegseth married his second wife, Samantha Deering, in 2010. This marriage was his longest, lasting about seven years and producing three sons: Gunner, Boone, and Rex. The marriage began to crumble around 2016-2017, coinciding with Hegseth’s affair with Jennifer Rauchet. The divorce was finalized in 2017, allowing Hegseth to pursue his relationship with the woman who would become his third wife. In summary, Jennifer Rauchet is not just Pete Hegseth's wife, but a powerful figure in her own right—an accomplished Fox News Executive Producer and the matriarch of a large, complex, and highly scrutinized blended family. Her background in journalism and her ability to navigate the public scrutiny of their relationship have made her a key stabilizing force in the life of the prominent media personality.