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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is aware that her 32-year age gap with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, is unconventional.
Leavitt, 28, known for her no-nonsense press briefings, married her 60-year-old husband this past January, just days before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. The couple, who met when Leavitt was 25 and got engaged in 2023, share one son, Niko, born in July 2024.
During a new interview on the Pod Force One with Miranda Devine podcast, Leavitt agreed with the host that her marriage was “unusual.”
When bluntly asked, “Could you not find boys your own age, who are as mature?” the Republican replied, laughing, “Honestly, no, if you want to know the truth.”
The pair first met in 2022 through a mutual friend, when Leavitt was running for a congressional seat in her home state of New Hampshire. She ultimately lost the election to Democrat Chris Pappas.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt married her husband Nicholas Riccio in January 2025, just days before President Donald Trump’s inauguration (Getty Images)
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Leavitt, 28, is known for her no-nonsense press briefings (AP)
Leavitt also admitted that her parents had a tough time accepting her husband, likely due to the fact that her mother is younger than Riccio.
“But then, of course, once they got to know him and saw who he is as a man, and his character and how much he adores me, I think it became quite easy for them,” Leavitt explained.
“And now we’re all friends. I mean, it’s a typical family relationship. My husband has such respect for my parents and the way that they raised me, and we all have a lot of fun together when they come to visit.”
Elsewhere during the interview, Leavitt highlighted the personality differences between her and Riccio.
“He’s very introverted, unlike me,” she said. “He stays behind the scenes. He’s not on social media.”
Leavitt added that her “very private” husband is “an incredibly hands-on father.”
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 12, 2025 (REUTERS)
“He and my son are just the best of friends.”
She added, “He’s just an amazing guy and he is my number one fan. He watches every interview, every press briefing.”
Riccio is a real estate developer from New Hampshire, where he owns over a dozen buildings he rents out to families, according to People.
“He is amazing,” Leavitt gushed of Riccio. “He’s a self-made man, which I respect… He’s built his career, so he’s in a place where he can support me in mine.”
Leavitt doesn’t post about her husband often on social media, likely due to his private nature. However, she recently shared Halloween photos showing herself, Riccio, and their son trick-or-treating and visiting with Trump.