Who Is Karoline Leavitt Husband?
Karoline Leavitt’s political career has put her in front of cameras almost constantly, but her husband, Nicholas Riccio, has generally taken the opposite approach. A New Hampshire real estate developer, Riccio is considerably older than Leavitt and has largely stayed away from the political spotlight. The couple met in 2022, married in January 2025 and now have two children. Their relationship has drawn attention not only because of Leavitt’s rapidly rising political profile, but also because of their 32-year age difference.
Riccio’s own story is quite different from the Washington world his wife inhabits. He has described a difficult young adulthood, including periods of homelessness, before building a career in New Hampshire real estate. Today, he runs Riccio Enterprises and has developed properties around Hampton Beach.
For readers searching “Who is Karoline Leavitt’s husband?”, the short answer is this: Nicholas Riccio is a New Hampshire businessman and real estate developer who met Leavitt while she was campaigning for Congress. He has become a private but important figure in her family life and, by her own account, a major source of support as she balances motherhood with a demanding political career.
Quick Summary
- Name: Nicholas Riccio
- Profession: Real estate developer and businessman
- Business: Riccio Enterprises
- Home state: New Hampshire
- Wife: Karoline Leavitt
- Relationship began: They met in 2022
- Engagement: December 2023
- Wedding: January 4, 2025
- Age difference: Riccio is 32 years older than Leavitt
- Children: Son Niko and daughter Viviana “Vivi”
- Public profile: Relatively private and largely stays out of politics
- 2026 family update: The couple has two children, and Leavitt has described Riccio as a hands-on father and major support in their family life.
Nicholas Riccio’s Early Life Was Far From Typical
One of the most striking parts of Nicholas Riccio’s biography is what happened before he became a successful property developer.
According to an interview cited by Us Weekly, Riccio grew up in New Hampshire as one of four children. His parents, Marilyn and Anthony Riccio, divorced while he was young, and he later experienced homelessness as a teenager. He has described calling friends so he could visit their homes and take a shower during that difficult period.
Those circumstances made his later career particularly notable.
Riccio attended Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and, according to the same account, paid his own way through college while living in his car because he could not afford both tuition and rent. That period is an important part of understanding his later interest in property and redevelopment.
It would be easy to look at his current position as a real estate developer and see only the successful businessman. The earlier story is considerably more complicated.
His career was built after a difficult start, rather than from an established position of wealth and stability.
That background also helps explain why Riccio has sometimes been described in profiles as a self-made New Hampshire businessman.
What Does Nicholas Riccio Do for a Living?
Nicholas Riccio is a real estate developer based in New Hampshire. He runs his own business, Riccio Enterprises, and has been involved in property development and renovations, particularly in the Hampton Beach area.
His career began with the purchase and redevelopment of properties that needed significant work.
A profile cited by Us Weekly says Riccio became interested in renovating condemned buildings on M Street in Hampton Beach. He reportedly began by purchasing one building without putting money down and expanded his portfolio considerably over the following years.
His approach was not simply about buying property and holding it.
Riccio focused on renovating buildings and improving their condition. A former Hampton police chief, William Wrenn, previously credited Riccio with helping change the appearance and reputation of parts of Hampton Beach by renovating properties and making them more attractive to families.
That gives his professional story a distinctly local character.
While Leavitt’s career eventually took her to Washington, Riccio’s business career has remained closely associated with New Hampshire. He built his reputation through real estate rather than politics, media or public office.
Riccio Enterprises and His Real Estate Career
Riccio’s company, Riccio Enterprises, has been associated with his property development work in New Hampshire.
Public profiles describe him as a businessman who built a sizable property portfolio after starting with individual redevelopment projects. His work has included renovating older and distressed properties, particularly around Hampton Beach.
Exact figures for his personal net worth or the current value of his property holdings are not reliably established in the sources available for this article.
That distinction matters.
Searches for “Nicholas Riccio net worth” can produce large estimates online, but estimates are not the same thing as documented financial records. Unless Riccio or a reliable financial source confirms a figure, it is better to describe him as a successful real estate developer rather than attach an unsupported dollar amount to his biography.
How Did Nicholas Riccio Meet Karoline Leavitt?
The couple met in 2022, when Leavitt was running for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District.
According to Leavitt’s account, they met at an event hosted by a mutual friend at a New Hampshire restaurant. Riccio attended the gathering, while Leavitt was there in connection with her congressional campaign. They initially became acquainted as friends before their relationship became romantic.
The timing is significant because Leavitt’s political career was already moving quickly.
She was 25 at the time and was attempting to become one of the youngest members of Congress. She ultimately won the Republican primary but lost the general election to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas.
Riccio, meanwhile, was already established in the New Hampshire business community.
Their meeting therefore happened before Leavitt became a household political name.
That makes their relationship particularly interesting. Riccio did not meet her after she had already become White House press secretary. He met her during the much earlier stage when she was a young congressional candidate trying to build a political career.
Over time, that relationship developed into marriage and family life.
Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio’s 32-Year Age Gap
One of the most searched aspects of their relationship is their 32-year age difference.
Riccio is 32 years older than Leavitt, a fact that has attracted considerable public attention because of Leavitt’s age and highly visible political position. Leavitt herself has acknowledged that their relationship is unusual, describing it as an “atypical” love story while speaking positively about her husband.
The age difference also initially created some difficult conversations within Leavitt’s family.
In a 2025 interview, Leavitt said her parents initially had to adjust to the relationship because Riccio is older than her mother. She explained that their views changed after they got to know him and saw his character and how he treated her.
That is an important part of the story because the couple has not tried to pretend the age difference does not exist.
Instead, Leavitt has discussed it openly.
She has also said that the difference in their personalities works well for them. Riccio is considerably more private and introverted, while Leavitt’s career requires her to be highly visible, outspoken and comfortable in front of cameras.
In a November 2025 interview reported by Boston.com, Leavitt described Riccio as her “No. 1 fan” and an “incredibly hands-on father.” She also said that he stays behind the scenes and is not active on social media.
That contrast may be one of the more interesting aspects of their marriage.
One person spends much of her professional life at a podium. The other generally avoids the spotlight.
When Did Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio Get Married?
Leavitt and Riccio became engaged in December 2023.
Leavitt announced the engagement around Christmas, describing it as the best Christmas of her life and saying she was excited to marry Riccio.
They married on January 4, 2025, at Wentworth By the Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire. The wedding took place only a little more than two weeks before Donald Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025.
The timing made for an unusually busy beginning to married life.
Leavitt was about to assume one of the most demanding communications jobs in American politics. She would become the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history at age 27.
So while the wedding marked a personal milestone, the weeks that followed also marked a major professional turning point.
How Many Children Do Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio Have?
Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio have two children.
Their first child, Nicholas Robert “Niko” Riccio, was born on July 10, 2024. Their second child, daughter Viviana “Vivi” Riccio, was born on May 1, 2026.
Their son’s birth occurred during an especially hectic period in Leavitt’s political career.
Niko was born while Leavitt was working on Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign. She returned to campaign work only days later after the July 2024 assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The couple’s second child arrived in May 2026.
Leavitt had announced the pregnancy in December 2025, describing the baby girl as a Christmas gift and saying that she and Riccio were excited to see their son become a big brother.
By July 2026, the family dynamic was again receiving public attention when Leavitt returned to the White House briefing room after maternity leave.
She specifically acknowledged Riccio’s role at home, saying that he was with their children while she returned to work. She described the balance as challenging and emphasized the importance of having a support system.
That glimpse into their family life provides perhaps the clearest picture of Riccio’s role: while Leavitt is the public-facing political figure, he has often been the more private parent managing life away from the cameras.
What Has Karoline Leavitt Said About Her Husband?
Leavitt has repeatedly spoken positively about Riccio’s support for her career.
In an interview with Megyn Kelly in February 2025, she discussed their age difference and said Riccio had already built a successful business and was supportive of her building her own career.
That support has been particularly relevant because Leavitt’s professional schedule is demanding.
Serving as White House press secretary requires long hours, travel, preparation for briefings and constant availability when major political events occur. It is not a job that easily fits around a conventional family schedule.
Leavitt has credited her support network—including Riccio, her parents and friends—with helping her balance motherhood and public service.
In July 2026, she again singled out her husband while talking about returning from maternity leave. She said Riccio was at home with their babies and that she looked forward to returning home to them.
Those comments suggest that his contribution to their family is not simply symbolic.
He has played an active role in raising their children while Leavitt has continued working in one of the highest-pressure communications positions in Washington.
Is Nicholas Riccio Involved in Politics?
There is no indication that Riccio is pursuing a political career comparable to his wife’s.
He is primarily known as a New Hampshire real estate developer, and reports consistently describe him as private and introverted. Leavitt has said that he stays behind the scenes and does not use social media in the way she does.
That separation is notable.
Political spouses often become public figures in their own right, but Riccio has largely avoided that path. His connection to politics comes mainly through his marriage to Leavitt.
His business career, meanwhile, predates their relationship and has its own history in New Hampshire real estate.
For readers trying to understand him separately from Leavitt, that is perhaps the most useful distinction: Nicholas Riccio is a businessman first and a political spouse second.
Where Are Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio Now in 2026?
Their family entered another transition in August 2026 when Leavitt left her position as White House press secretary.
People reported that Leavitt is stepping down to spend more time with her family after serving as press secretary during Trump’s second administration. She is expected to return to MAGA Inc. in September while continuing to remain politically active.
That change could affect the family’s day-to-day routine.
The White House press secretary position is an unusually demanding public role. Moving into a political advisory position may give Leavitt more flexibility as she raises two young children with Riccio.
Reports indicate that the family plans to remain in Washington, D.C., even as Leavitt changes professional roles.
For Riccio, the transition may also mean a different rhythm at home after years in which his wife’s political responsibilities have required substantial public-facing work.
The broader political story will continue, but the family’s private life is likely to remain relatively separate from it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nicholas Riccio
Who is Karoline Leavitt’s husband?
Karoline Leavitt’s husband is Nicholas Riccio, a New Hampshire real estate developer and businessman. The couple met in 2022, became engaged in 2023 and married in January 2025.
What does Nicholas Riccio do?
Nicholas Riccio is a real estate developer who runs Riccio Enterprises. His career has focused on acquiring, renovating and developing properties in New Hampshire, particularly around Hampton Beach.
How did Karoline Leavitt meet Nicholas Riccio?
Leavitt and Riccio met in 2022 at an event hosted by a mutual friend while Leavitt was running for Congress in New Hampshire. They initially became friends before beginning a romantic relationship.
How many children do Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio have?
The couple has two children: son Nicholas “Niko” Riccio, born in July 2024, and daughter Viviana “Vivi” Riccio, born in May 2026.
How much older is Nicholas Riccio than Karoline Leavitt?
Nicholas Riccio is 32 years older than Karoline Leavitt. She has openly discussed the age difference and described their relationship as unusual but supportive.
Conclusion
Nicholas Riccio is best known publicly as Karoline Leavitt’s husband, but his story stands on its own. He is a New Hampshire real estate developer who built his career after a difficult youth, including periods of homelessness, and eventually established a property-development business.
His relationship with Leavitt began in 2022, long before she became White House press secretary. Their 32-year age difference has attracted attention, but Leavitt has repeatedly described Riccio as supportive, private and deeply involved in their family life.
Today, the couple are parents to two young children, Niko and Vivi. As Leavitt moves from the White House into her next political chapter in 2026, Riccio’s behind-the-scenes role may become even more significant.
The simplest way to understand their relationship is this: Karoline Leavitt is the public political figure, while Nicholas Riccio is the private businessman and hands-on father who has built a life alongside her.
