Politics is a young person's game right now, or at least Karoline Leavitt makes it look that way. As the youngest White House Press Secretary in American history, she’s basically living under a microscope. Naturally, the internet did what it does best: it started digging into her personal life. People aren’t just curious about her briefings; they’re obsessed with her marriage. Specifically, everyone keeps asking: how old is Karoline Leavitt's husband?
Honestly, the answer usually stops people in their tracks. Her husband, Nicholas Riccio, is 60 years old.
Given that Leavitt was born on August 24, 1997, making her 28 as of early 2026, that is a massive 32-year age gap. It’s the kind of detail that sets social media on fire. But if you look past the number, there’s a whole lot more to the guy who stays out of the spotlight while his wife stands in front of the world's most intense podium.
The Man Behind the 32-Year Age Gap
So, who is Nicholas Riccio? He isn't some DC insider or a political operative. He’s actually a self-made real estate developer from New England. Basically, he’s a guy who built an empire from scratch.
He grew up in Hudson, New Hampshire, as one of four kids. Things weren't always easy for him. In fact, he’s shared in the past that he actually faced homelessness at age 18. He eventually made it to Plymouth State University, but the real turning point happened after college when he took a random real estate course in 1990.
While Leavitt was a toddler in the early 2000s, Riccio was already out there flipping houses in Hampton Beach. He saw a neighborhood that was falling apart and decided to fix it up. Fast forward to today, and his company, Riccio Enterprises LLC, owns over 15 buildings in that area alone. He’s gone from struggling to pay bills to being a multimillionaire scion in the New England property market.
Why the Age Gap Works for Them
Leavitt has been pretty candid about the fact that their relationship is "atypical." When she first appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show in February 2025, she didn't shy away from the topic. She admitted that telling her parents about the age difference was a "challenging conversation." I mean, can you imagine? "Hey Mom, Dad, I’m dating a guy who’s older than you."
But she also explained why it works. Riccio is her "rock." Because he already spent decades building his career and reaching the top of his field, he doesn't feel the need to compete with her. He’s fully supportive of her being the face of the White House while he handles the business side of things and takes care of their growing family.
- He’s an introvert: Unlike his wife, Riccio hates social media.
- He’s her "number one fan": He even helped fund her 2022 congressional bid.
- They share a son: Their first child, Nicholas "Niko" Robert Riccio, was born July 10, 2024.
How Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio Actually Met
The two didn't meet in some smoky backroom in Washington. It was much more local. They met in 2022 while Leavitt was running for Congress in New Hampshire. A mutual friend hosted an event at a restaurant Riccio owned, and that was that. At the time, she was 24 or 25, and he was 56 or 57.
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They kept things quiet for a while. They didn't go "Instagram official" until Christmas 2023, when Riccio got down on one knee in New Hampshire. They finally tied the knot in January 2025 at the Wentworth By the Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire—just a few days before she officially took over the White House briefing room.
It’s a wild timeline. In the span of about three years, she went from a congressional candidate to a wife, a mother, and the Press Secretary.
Addressing the Critics
You can’t have a 32-year age gap in the public eye without people talking. Some folks see it as a "red flag," while others see it as a modern power couple dynamic. Leavitt’s perspective is pretty straightforward: he’s her best friend and the "best man" she’s ever met.
The couple is currently expecting their second child, which will make Leavitt the first sitting White House Press Secretary to be pregnant while in office. It’s a lot to juggle, but having a husband who is established, financially secure, and happy to stay out of the limelight seems to be her secret weapon.
What to keep in mind about Nicholas Riccio:
If you’re looking for more info on Nicholas Riccio, don’t bother searching for his TikTok or Twitter. He doesn't have them. He’s focused on real estate and fatherhood. The most you’ll see of him is the occasional photo on Karoline’s Instagram during a holiday or a family outing.
While the "how old is Karoline Leavitt's husband" question usually leads people to a 60-year-old real estate mogul, the real story is about the stability he provides for one of the most visible women in American politics today.
If you want to understand the dynamic better, look into Riccio's business history in New Hampshire. Understanding his path from 1990s real estate student to property mogul explains a lot about the confidence he brings to their partnership. You can also watch Leavitt's 2025 interview on The Megyn Kelly Show for her direct thoughts on their "unusual" romance.