Karoline Leavitt’s husband is Nicholas Riccio, a New Hampshire real estate developer. The couple married in January 2025 and share two children: a son named Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio and a daughter named Viviana “Vivi.”
Karoline Leavitt, who served as White House press secretary in the second Trump administration (becoming the youngest person to hold the role), has spoken publicly about her relationship with Riccio as an “atypical love story.” He has largely stayed out of the political spotlight while supporting her career and focusing on their family.
Who Is Nicholas Riccio? Background and Profession
Nicholas Riccio is a self-made real estate developer based in New Hampshire. He grew up in Hudson, New Hampshire, as one of four children. His early life involved financial instability; reports indicate he experienced periods of hardship, including homelessness as a teenager or young adult after his parents’ divorce, and he worked through financial challenges while attending Plymouth State University.
After college, Riccio took a real estate course and entered the industry in the early 2000s (with some accounts noting earlier activity in the 1990s). He began by identifying and purchasing distressed properties, particularly along Hampton Beach. He built his business methodically, acquiring multiple buildings and rental units. By the mid-2000s, he owned a significant number of properties in the area (reports commonly cite around 15 buildings and dozens of living units). His company, Riccio Enterprises (with related entities such as Nautical Beach Properties), manages a portfolio that has expanded to include holdings in places like Boston and New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Riccio is described as private and introverted—Leavitt has called him her “complete opposite.” He maintains a low public profile, rarely appears at official events, and does not use social media extensively. Estimates of his net worth, derived primarily from real estate holdings, commonly fall in the range of roughly $6–10 million, though exact figures are not independently audited and can vary by source.
How Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio Met
Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio met Met in 2022 during Leavitt’s campaign for a U.S. House seat in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District. She won the Republican primary but lost the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas. A mutual friend hosted an event at a restaurant in New Hampshire and invited Riccio; Leavitt was speaking there. They initially became acquainted as friends before the relationship developed into a romance.
Leavitt has recounted the meeting in interviews, including on The Megyn Kelly Show, noting that the connection grew naturally over time. Their relationship progressed relatively quickly from friendship to engagement and parenthood amid her rising political profile.
The Age Gap and Relationship Dynamics
There is a 32-year age difference between the couple. Leavitt was born in August 1997; Riccio was born around 1965. When they met in 2022, she was approximately 25 and he was in his late 50s. As of 2026, she is in her late 20s and he is around 60–61.
Leavitt has openly addressed the gap, describing their story as “very atypical” and “unusual.” She has said she was initially hesitant and that telling her family was a challenging conversation. Over time, her relatives came to accept Riccio after getting to know his character and seeing how he treats her. She has emphasized that the age difference has practical advantages: because he has already built a successful business, he is fully supportive of her career ambitions and able to be a hands-on parent.
In interviews, Leavitt has called Riccio her “greatest supporter,” “best friend,” and “rock.” She has praised him as an “incredibly hands-on father” and noted that he provides stability amid the demands of high-profile political work. He prefers a private life focused on family rather than public appearances.
Engagement, Marriage, and Family Life
Riccio proposed to Leavitt over the Christmas holiday in December 2023. She announced the engagement on Instagram with a photo of the proposal. Their first child, son Nicholas Robert Riccio (nicknamed “Niko”), was born on July 10, 2024—while the couple was still engaged. Leavitt returned to work quickly after the birth, citing the intensity of the 2024 campaign period (including the assassination attempt on Donald Trump days later).
The couple married on January 4, 2025, at the Wentworth By the Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire, just days before Trump’s second inauguration. Leavitt later shared wedding photos on social media, describing it as one of her favorite days.
In December 2025, while serving as press secretary, Leavitt announced they were expecting a second child. Their daughter, Viviana (often called “Vivi”), was born on May 1, 2026. Leavitt shared the news warmly, noting the family was enjoying their “blissful newborn bubble” and that Niko was adjusting well to becoming a big brother.
In August 2026, Leavitt stepped down from her role as White House press secretary, stating she wanted to spend more time with her young family while remaining a supporter of the administration and the Republican Party. She has spoken about the challenges and rewards of balancing high-pressure work with motherhood, crediting her husband’s support and hands-on parenting.
Public Perception and Privacy
Public interest in the couple often centers on the age gap and Leavitt’s rapid rise in national politics. She has handled questions about the relationship with candor, framing it as a genuine partnership built on mutual respect and shared values rather than convention. Riccio continues to keep a low profile, consistent with his preference for privacy and focus on business and family.
The family has shared occasional glimpses of everyday life—holiday photos, outings, and milestone moments—through Leavitt’s social media, while respecting Riccio’s desire to stay largely out of the public eye.
Conclusion
Nicholas Riccio is a New Hampshire real estate developer who built his business from challenging early circumstances into a substantial property portfolio. He and Karoline Leavitt met during her 2022 congressional campaign, married in January 2025 after welcoming their son Niko, and later had their daughter Viviana. Despite a significant age difference that Leavitt herself has called atypical, she consistently describes him as a steadfast partner, supportive of her career, and a devoted father. As of late 2026, the family has prioritized more private time together following her departure from the White House podium.
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