The couple first met in 2022 while Leavitt was campaigning for Congress in New Hampshire, later becoming engaged in December 2023 and marrying in January 2025. Leavitt, 28, is now preparing to leave her White House press secretary role at the end of August 2026 to spend more time with her family. Riccio, 60, is a New Hampshire real estate developer.
The couple have two children together. Because of their 32-year age gap and the unusual way their relationship began, karoline Leavitt and her husband Nicholas Riccio have drawn attention.
Key Statements
Leavitt was speaking at the event, while Riccio had been invited by their mutual friend. “I was speaking. We met, and we were acquainted as friends and we fell in love. “He’s built a very successful business himself so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career. Leavitt has also spoken about how her parents reacted when they learned about the relationship.
Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio first met in 2022, when Leavitt was running for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District. Leavitt later explained their first meeting during an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show in February 2025. The couple became engaged in December 2023. They welcomed their first child, son Nicholas Robert Riccio, known as Niko, in July 2024. They then married in January 2025, shortly before President Donald Trump ‘s second inauguration. They later welcomed their second child, daughter Viviana, in May 2026.
She said a mutual friend had organised an event at a restaurant owned by Riccio in New Hampshire. “A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband,” Leavitt said. The difference in their ages has been discussed publicly by Leavitt, who has described their relationship as a “very atypical” love story. She has also said that she initially had reservations about the age difference. “He is my greatest supporter, he’s my best friend and he’s my rock,” she said. She said the age difference made the first conversation difficult, but their view changed after they got to know Riccio.
