Karoline Leavitt and her husband Nicholas Riccio have drawn attention because of their 32-year age gap and the unusual way their relationship began. 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.
How did Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio meet?
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. She said a mutual friend had organised an event at a restaurant owned by Riccio in New Hampshire. Leavitt was speaking at the event, while Riccio had been invited by their mutual friend.
Deep Dive
What event led to the first meeting between Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio?
What are Karoline Leavitt's thoughts on the age gap in her relationship with Nicholas Riccio?
How has Nicholas Riccio supported Karoline Leavitt's career?
“A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband,” Leavitt said. “I was speaking. We met, and we were acquainted as friends and we fell in love.”
Their relationship developed after that meeting. Leavitt won the Republican nomination during her 2022 congressional campaign but lost the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas.
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.
{{/usCountry}}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.
{{/usCountry}}What is the age gap between Karoline Leavitt and Nicholas Riccio?
Karoline Leavitt is 28, while Nicholas Riccio is 60, giving them a 32-year age gap.
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.
During her interview with Megyn Kelly, Leavitt spoke warmly about Riccio and his role in her life.
“He is my greatest supporter, he's my best friend and he's my rock,” she said. “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. She said the age difference made the first conversation difficult, but their view changed after they got to know 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 said.
Who is Nicholas Riccio and what does he do?
Nicholas Riccio is a real estate developer from New Hampshire. He grew up in Hudson with three siblings and attended Plymouth State University.
In a 2005 interview with the Sunday Herald, Riccio spoke about having a difficult childhood. He said he became homeless at 18 and had to find ways to pay for college himself. At one point, he lived in his vehicle because he could not afford rent.
“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 told the outlet.
Riccio later entered the real estate business after taking a real estate course in 1990. He eventually built a property business in New Hampshire and now owns more than 15 buildings in Hampton Beach.
He is also known for his interest in sports and sports memorabilia. His collection has included items such as Muhammad Ali-signed boxing gloves and autographed photographs of Larry Bird.
Leavitt has repeatedly described Riccio as supportive of her career. Their relationship has continued alongside her rapid rise in politics, including her time as White House press secretary. Now, as she prepares to leave the role and focus more on family, attention has again turned to her relationship with Riccio.