Karoline Leavitt, the 27-year-old White House Press Secretary, recently shared details about her unique relationship with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, a 59-year-old real estate entrepreneur.
The couple, who officially married in January 2025, welcomed their son, Nicholas Robert Riccio (nicknamed Niko), in July 2024.
During an interview withĀ The Megyn Kelly Show, Leavitt acknowledged that their 32-year age gap made their love story anything but typical.
She candidly recalled how they first met during her Congressional campaign, explaining that a mutual friend had invited Riccio to an event at his New Hampshire restaurant where she was speaking.
āWe met and were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love,āĀ she shared.
Navigating Doubts and Finding Support
When Kelly asked whether she ever hesitated about dating someone significantly older, Leavitt admitted that the thought had crossed her mind.
āYes, of course,āĀ she said.Ā āI mean, itās a very atypical love story, but heās incredible. He is my greatest supporter, heās my best friend, and heās my rock.ā
She went on to describe how Riccioās background as a self-made businessman has made him particularly supportive of her own professional journey.
āHe built a very successful business himself, so now heās fully supportive of me building my success in my career,āĀ she noted.Ā āHeās the father of my child, the best dad I could ever ask for, and heās been so supportive, especially during this chaotic period of life.ā
Leavitt also acknowledged the adjustments her husband has had to make due to her demanding role in the White House, joking,Ā āI walked into your life, and itās been a circus ever since. But God bless him because heās fully on board.ā
The couple got engaged in December 2023, a moment Leavitt described asĀ āthe best Christmas of my life.āĀ At the time, she expressed her excitement on social media, writing,Ā āI get to marry the man of my dreams. I feel SO overwhelmingly BLESSED. Thank you, God.ā
Their son, Nicholas Robert Riccio, was born on July 10, 2024, an experience Leavitt described as life-changing.
āThe moment our son was born. The moment I officially became a mom. The best moment of my life,āĀ she wrote, adding,Ā āItās true when they say thereās nothing comparable to the love you feel for your child. My heart has grown bigger than I ever imagined possible.ā
She continued,Ā āBabies are the ultimate blessing, and Iām bursting with gratitude for our beautiful, happy, healthy boy.ā
A Private Husband with a Successful Career
Riccio, a real estate developer and the owner of Riccio Enterprises LLC, has built a multi-million-dollar business, primarily through rental properties in New Hampshire and West Virginia.
His portfolio includes 15 buildings he acquired in 2005, contributing to an estimated net worth of $6 million, according toĀ Parade.
Despite his success, he prefers to stay out of the public eye. Addressing why he rarely appears on her social media, Leavitt explained,Ā āHe doesnāt have social media and heās an introvertācomplete opposite of me. I respect his privacy, but heās my number one fan, the best dad, and just the best man Iāve ever met.ā