Karoline Leavitt Husband: Everything You Need to Know About Nicholas Riccio

November 23, 2025 admin Relationship

Karoline Leavitt Husband:At just 27 years old, Karoline Leavitt has made history as the youngest White House Press Secretary in United States history. Her meteoric rise in American politics has naturally sparked curiosity about her personal life, particularly about the man who stands beside her through it all. Karoline is married to Nicholas Riccio, a successful New Hampshire real estate developer who is 32 years her senior. Their unconventional love story has captured public attention and raised questions about age-gap relationships, modern romance, and balancing high-powered careers with family life.

This comprehensive guide explores everything publicly known about Nicholas Riccio, his relationship with Karoline Leavitt, and how they navigate life together under the intense spotlight of Washington politics.

Who Is Nicholas Riccio?

Nicholas Riccio, who goes by “Nick,” is a 59-year-old real estate developer and entrepreneur from New Hampshire. He is the owner of Riccio Enterprises LLC, a multimillion-dollar property business that has made him one of the most successful real estate investors in southern New Hampshire. Despite his business success and now being married to one of the most visible figures in American politics, Riccio maintains a remarkably low profile and prefers to stay out of the public eye.

Unlike his wife, who speaks to millions daily through televised press briefings, Nicholas is described by Karoline as “very introverted” and her “complete opposite.” He does not maintain any public social media accounts and rarely gives interviews to the press. This desire for privacy has only intensified public curiosity about who he really is and what drew these two very different people together.

Nicholas Riccio’s Background and Early Life

Humble Beginnings

Nicholas Riccio’s success story is a classic American tale of determination triumphing over adversity. Born around 1965 in New Hampshire, he grew up in Hudson as one of four children in a family that struggled financially. His childhood was marked by instability, with his family moving frequently and facing economic hardships. His parents, Marilyn and Anthony Riccio, divorced when Nicholas was young, adding additional challenges to an already difficult situation.

In a 2005 interview with the Sunday Herald, Riccio opened up about the extent of his early struggles. By the age of 18, he was homeless and living on the streets. The conditions were so dire that he would call friends asking to come over to watch games—not for the company, but so he could take a shower. “When I was 19 or 20, I would call my buddies to go over their houses to watch a game just so I could take a shower,” he recalled.

Education and the Road to Success

Despite these overwhelming obstacles, Nicholas was determined to change his circumstances. He attended Plymouth State University, though even during his college years, he experienced periods of homelessness and would sometimes live out of his car just to afford tuition. The experience of financial insecurity during what should have been formative years clearly left a lasting impression on him and likely fueled his drive to succeed.

After college, Riccio took a real estate course that would change the trajectory of his life. He worked his way up in the industry through sheer determination and business acumen, eventually founding his own company, Riccio Enterprises LLC. Over the following decades, he built an impressive portfolio of residential and commercial properties throughout southern New Hampshire.

Nicholas Riccio’s Business Career

Riccio Enterprises LLC

Today, Nicholas Riccio owns Riccio Enterprises, a successful real estate investment and development company that focuses primarily on residential and commercial properties. According to property records and business filings, he owns over a dozen buildings in New Hampshire, with a particularly strong presence in the Hampton Beach area where he rents properties to families.

His business model centers on acquiring older homes and apartment buildings, renovating them to high standards, and either renting them out for long-term income or selling them for profit. Over the years, he has also partnered on larger commercial projects, including small shopping centers and office buildings in the Manchester and Nashua areas.

Business Reputation

Those who know Riccio in the New Hampshire business community describe him as honest, hands-on, and someone who treats his tenants fairly. Unlike some real estate developers who are known for cutting corners or prioritizing profits over people, Nicholas has built a reputation for quality work and ethical business practices. This reputation has served him well over his more than three decades in the industry.

Net Worth

While exact figures are not publicly available since Riccio runs a private business rather than a public company, various estimates place his net worth between $6 million and $40 million. Local property records show that he owns properties valued in the tens of millions of dollars, accumulated through patient, strategic real estate investments over many years. His financial success has allowed him to support Karoline’s political career and provide a comfortable life for their growing family.

How Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio Met

The 2022 Congressional Campaign

The couple’s love story began in 2022 during one of the most intense periods of Karoline’s young political career. She was running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in New Hampshire’s first congressional district, having won the Republican nomination at just 25 years old.

According to Karoline’s own account on The Megyn Kelly Show, a mutual friend who owned a restaurant in New Hampshire hosted a political event and invited both Karoline and Nicholas. “A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband. I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love,” she explained.

At the time they met, Karoline was 25 years old and deeply focused on her congressional campaign. Nicholas was in his late 50s, already well-established in his business, and had attended the event to support candidates who favored reduced government regulation on housing and development—issues that directly affected his real estate business.

From Friends to Love

What began as a political acquaintance quickly evolved into something deeper. The couple found common ground in their shared love for New Hampshire, their work ethic, and their values. Friends who knew them during this period have said that the two discovered they had much more in common than the 32-year age difference might suggest.

They began dating quietly, keeping their relationship largely out of the public eye even as Karoline’s campaign continued. While she ultimately lost the congressional race to Democrat Chris Pappas, she gained something perhaps more valuable—a life partner who would become her greatest supporter.

The Age Gap: 32 Years and Public Scrutiny

The Numbers

Nicholas Riccio was born in 1965, making him 59 years old as of 2024. Karoline Leavitt was born on August 24, 1997, making her 27 years old. This creates a 32-year age gap between the couple—a difference that has not gone unnoticed by the public or the media.

To put this in perspective, Nicholas is older than Karoline’s mother, Erin Leavitt. This fact has been a particular point of discussion and, for some, concern.

Karoline Addresses the Age Difference

Karoline has been remarkably open about the unconventional nature of her relationship, addressing it directly in multiple interviews. On The Megyn Kelly Show, she described their romance as “a very atypical love story” but emphasized the qualities that make their relationship work.

“It’s very atypical, but he’s incredible,” she said. “He is my greatest supporter, he’s my best friend, and he’s my rock. He’s built a very successful business himself, so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career.”

When asked directly whether she couldn’t find men her own age who were as mature, Karoline laughed and responded honestly: “If you want to know the truth, no.”

She has emphasized that what matters most is not the years between their birthdays but the values they share—hard work, family, faith, and a deep love for New Hampshire.

A Challenging Conversation with Parents

In a candid interview on the Pod Force One podcast with Miranda Devine, Karoline admitted that telling her parents about Nicholas was initially difficult. “It’s definitely a challenging conversation to have at first,” she acknowledged, particularly given that her boyfriend was older than her mother.

However, she explained that once her parents got to know Nicholas and saw his character and how much he adored their daughter, their concerns faded. “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. 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.”

Public Reaction and Online Commentary

The age gap has drawn significant public attention, not all of it positive. Social media has been particularly harsh, with critics referring to Nicholas with nicknames like “gramps” and making comments suggesting he looks like Karoline’s father or grandfather. Some have accused Karoline of being a “gold digger” or suggested the relationship is transactional rather than based on genuine love.

Even late-night television has taken notice, with Jimmy Kimmel making jokes about their relationship on his show. When Karoline posted family photos on social media, particularly around Halloween 2024, she was accused of using filters or “airbrushing” her husband’s face to make him appear younger—claims she has never directly addressed.

Despite the criticism and mockery, both Karoline and Nicholas have remained steadfast in their commitment to each other, letting their actions speak louder than their critics’ words.

Engagement, Baby, and Marriage

The Engagement

In December 2023, Nicholas proposed to Karoline, and she said yes. The engagement was announced publicly through Karoline’s social media, where she shared heartfelt photos of the proposal. The timing came during a period when Karoline was working for MAGA Inc., Trump’s super PAC, before she would join his 2024 presidential campaign.

Welcoming Their Son

On July 10, 2024, Karoline and Nicholas welcomed their first child together, a son named Nicholas Robert Riccio, affectionately nicknamed “Niko.” Karoline shared the joyous news on Instagram, calling it “the best moment” of her life and expressing gratitude for their “beautiful, happy, healthy” baby boy.

However, the timing of Niko’s birth coincided with one of the most dramatic moments in recent American political history. Just three days after giving birth, on July 13, 2024, there was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The incident prompted Karoline to cut her maternity leave short and return to work on Trump’s campaign.

“I looked at my husband and said, ‘Looks like I’m going back to work,'” she later told The Conservateur in October 2024.

Karoline has praised Nicholas as an “incredibly hands-on father” who has embraced fatherhood with enthusiasm. “He and my son are just the best of friends,” she gushed in an interview. “He’s just an amazing guy and he is my number one fan. He watches every interview, every press briefing.”

The Wedding

Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio exchanged vows in January 2025, just days before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. The intimate ceremony took place at the prestigious Wentworth By The Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire—a historic venue that provided the perfect setting for their special day.

The wedding was a small, family-focused affair, with only close family members and a few friends in attendance. Karoline wore an elegant long-sleeved, beaded white gown paired with an updo hairstyle that gave her a classic, timeless look. Nicholas wore a traditional black tuxedo.

Karoline didn’t share photos from the wedding immediately, waiting until March 2025 to post a carousel of images on Instagram. “Finally found some time to post a few of my favorite pictures from one of my favorite days! 😌🤍✨💍,” she captioned the post. The photos show the couple looking genuinely happy, surrounded by loved ones in the beautiful country club setting.

Life as a Married Couple

Balancing Two Lives

Today, Karoline and Nicholas split their time between two residences. They own a home in Washington, D.C., where Karoline spends her work weeks handling the demanding role of White House Press Secretary. On weekends and holidays, whenever possible, they return to their house in Hampstead, New Hampshire, where Nicholas continues to run his business operations.

This bicoastal lifestyle allows Karoline to fulfill her professional responsibilities while maintaining their connection to their home state and allowing Nicholas to continue managing his real estate empire.

Nicholas’s Role as Supporter

While Karoline faces the cameras and handles the intense scrutiny of the national press corps, Nicholas provides support from behind the scenes. True to his introverted nature, he rarely appears in public or at official events. When he does, he typically stays in the background, avoiding attention.

Karoline has repeatedly emphasized how crucial his support has been to her success. “He’s built a very successful business himself, so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career,” she explained. “And he is so supportive, especially during this very chaotic period of life.”

She has also joked about how dramatically her high-profile career has changed his previously private life: “I say, ‘I walked into your life and it’s been a circus ever since.’ But God bless him because he’s fully on board.”

How Nicholas Supported Karoline’s Early Career

Nicholas’s support for Karoline’s political ambitions extends beyond emotional encouragement. During her 2022 congressional campaign, when resources were tight, Nicholas allowed her small campaign team to use office space he owned rent-free, significantly reducing campaign costs.

He also leveraged his extensive business network in New Hampshire to introduce Karoline to other successful business owners, many of whom later became campaign donors. While Karoline has always maintained that every career decision is ultimately her own, she openly acknowledges that Nicholas’s practical support and connections were invaluable during the early stages of her political career.

Nicholas Riccio’s Previous Marriage

One question that frequently arises is whether Nicholas was married before Karoline. According to available reports, this is Nicholas’s first marriage. At 59 years old, he was a bachelor when he met Karoline, having remained single for many years before their relationship began.

Nicholas does have adult children from a previous relationship, though details about his earlier family life are not public knowledge, consistent with his preference for privacy. Karoline has occasionally referenced his children in interviews, always speaking respectfully about them, though she typically keeps their faces turned away in any photos to protect their privacy.

Karoline Leavitt: Understanding the Woman Nicholas Married

Early Life and Background

To fully understand this relationship, it helps to know who Karoline Leavitt is beyond her role as White House Press Secretary. Born on August 24, 1997, in Atkinson, New Hampshire, Karoline is the youngest of four children born to Bob and Erin Leavitt. Her family owns an ice cream stand in Atkinson, and her father runs a used truck dealership in Plaistow—modest, hardworking businesses that instilled strong values in their children.

Karoline attended Central Catholic High School, a private Catholic school in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she was a standout softball player, earning Eagle-Tribune All-Star honors in both 2014 and 2015. She has credited her Roman Catholic education with shaping her worldview and instilling values including faith, family, discipline, and a commitment to public service.

College and Entry into Politics

Karoline attended Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire, on a softball scholarship, majoring in communications with a minor in political science. During college, she interned with the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence during the first Trump administration, eventually becoming its associate director. In June 2020, she was promoted to assistant White House press secretary.

After Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, Karoline became communications director for New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik before launching her own congressional campaign in 2021.

Historic Appointment

On November 15, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump named Karoline as his White House Press Secretary, making her the youngest person ever to hold this position in U.S. history. She gave her first press conference on January 28, 2025, beginning a tenure that would quickly become known for her confrontational style with the press.

The Personality Differences

One of the most interesting aspects of Karoline and Nicholas’s relationship is how different they are as people. Karoline is extroverted, thrives in front of cameras, engages in verbal sparring with journalists, and maintains an active social media presence. Nicholas, by contrast, is deeply introverted, avoids the spotlight entirely, has no public social media accounts, and is described as intensely private.

“He’s very introverted, unlike me,” Karoline explained in an interview. “He stays behind the scenes. He’s not on social media. He’s very private.”

These differences, rather than creating conflict, seem to complement each other. Nicholas provides Karoline with a calm, stable home life away from the chaos of Washington politics. Meanwhile, Karoline brings energy and excitement to Nicholas’s previously quiet existence.

Addressing Controversies and Criticism

The Airbrushing Accusation

In October 2024, Karoline posted photos from a White House Halloween event where their son Niko was dressed in an adorable pumpkin outfit. Some social media users accused her of using filters or airbrushing to make Nicholas’s face appear smoother and younger, pointing out that press photos from the same event showed more natural aging.

While Karoline never directly addressed these accusations, the incident highlighted the intense scrutiny that comes with her public role and how even innocent family photos become subjects of criticism.

Questions About the Relationship Dynamic

Critics have questioned whether the relationship is genuine or transactional, with some suggesting that Karoline is a “gold digger” attracted to Nicholas’s wealth, or conversely, that Nicholas is taking advantage of a much younger woman. These accusations ignore the thoughtful way both Karoline and Nicholas have discussed their relationship and the genuine affection they display for each other.

What Makes Their Relationship Work

Based on Karoline’s public comments and the limited information available about Nicholas, several factors seem to contribute to their successful partnership:

Shared Values: Both prioritize hard work, family, faith, and their connection to New Hampshire. These common values provide a strong foundation that transcends age differences.

Mutual Respect: Karoline consistently emphasizes Nicholas’s business accomplishments and character, while Nicholas, though quiet, clearly supports her ambitious career. They respect each other’s achievements and goals.

Life Stage Alignment: Nicholas is at a point in his career where he can step back and support Karoline’s ambitions. He’s already built his business success and doesn’t need to compete for attention or achievement.

Complementary Personalities: Their introvert-extrovert dynamic creates balance. Karoline brings excitement; Nicholas brings stability and calm.

Strong Communication: Karoline’s willingness to have difficult conversations—with her parents, with the public, and presumably with Nicholas—suggests mature communication skills essential for any relationship.

Genuine Affection: Despite public scrutiny, both demonstrate genuine warmth toward each other in the rare moments they appear together publicly.

The Broader Context: Age-Gap Relationships in Modern America

Karoline and Nicholas’s relationship exists within a broader societal conversation about age-gap relationships. While such relationships have always existed, they face increasing scrutiny in contemporary culture, particularly when the woman is significantly younger.

Research on age-gap relationships suggests they can be successful when both partners are adults who enter the relationship freely, share common values and life goals, and treat each other with respect—all factors that appear present in Karoline and Nicholas’s marriage.

However, age-gap relationships can also raise legitimate questions about power dynamics, life stage compatibility, and long-term sustainability. Critics point out that Nicholas will be nearly 80 years old when their son graduates from high school, raising questions about the challenges that may lie ahead.

Ultimately, the success of any relationship depends on the specific individuals involved rather than demographic factors alone. Karoline and Nicholas appear to be two adults who chose each other with eyes wide open to both the challenges and the benefits their age difference brings.

Looking to the Future

As of late 2024, Karoline and Nicholas appear to be thriving in their roles as partners, parents, and professionals. Karoline continues to make headlines with her work as White House Press Secretary, while Nicholas maintains his successful real estate business in New Hampshire.

Their son Niko is growing up with parents who, despite their age difference and demanding careers, are committed to providing him with a loving, stable home. Karoline has spoken warmly about Nicholas’s hands-on approach to fatherhood, suggesting that family remains their top priority even amid professional demands.

The challenges they face—managing two residences, balancing demanding careers, navigating intense public scrutiny, and raising a young child—would test any marriage, regardless of the ages of the people involved. The fact that they’re also dealing with a significant age gap adds another layer of complexity.

However, if their public statements are any indication, Karoline and Nicholas are approaching these challenges as a united team, drawing strength from their shared values and genuine affection for each other.

Conclusion

The story of Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio is undeniably unconventional. A 27-year-old White House Press Secretary married to a 59-year-old real estate developer—it’s the kind of relationship that naturally attracts attention, speculation, and judgment. The 32-year age gap between them has made them the subject of countless headlines, social media comments, and late-night television jokes.

Yet beneath the headlines and the scrutiny lies what appears to be a genuine partnership between two people who found each other at a political event in New Hampshire and discovered they shared more than just a home state. Nicholas Riccio, the self-made real estate mogul who overcame homelessness to build a multimillion-dollar empire, brings stability, business acumen, and quiet support to the relationship. Karoline Leavitt, the ambitious young political operative turned historic White House Press Secretary, brings energy, ambition, and a willingness to defend what she believes in.

Together, they’ve built a family, with their son Niko representing the future they’re creating together. They’ve navigated the challenge of telling skeptical parents about their relationship, managed the logistics of splitting time between New Hampshire and Washington, D.C., and faced withering public criticism with united resolve.

Whether their relationship will stand the test of time remains to be seen. The challenges ahead—Nicholas’s advancing age, the demands of Karoline’s career, the ongoing public scrutiny—are significant. But if their current trajectory is any indication, they’re prepared to face these challenges together, drawing on the same determination that brought Nicholas from the streets to business success and propelled Karoline from a New Hampshire ice cream stand owner’s daughter to the youngest White House Press Secretary in American history.

Love, as Karoline and Nicholas demonstrate, doesn’t always follow conventional timelines or societal expectations. Sometimes it shows up at a political fundraiser in New Hampshire between a 25-year-old congressional candidate and a 57-year-old businessman, and sometimes—despite the odds, the criticism, and the raised eyebrows—it works.

That’s the clear and complete picture of Karoline Leavitt’s husband and their relationship as it stands today: unconventional, scrutinized, but built on a foundation of shared values, mutual respect, and genuine affection that transcends the 32 years between them.