Just before taking on the role as White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, 28, tied the knot to real estate mogul Nicholas Riccio, 59, who she now shares a child with

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Karoline Leavitt opens up about “unusual” relationship with 59-year-old husband(Image: Getty Images)

After months of speculation, Karoline Leavitt has finally opened up about her 32-year age gap romance.

On Wednesday, November 19, the White House press secretary, 28, appeared on Miranda Devine’s podcast Pod Force One. During her chat with the host, she discussed President Donald Trump’s attempted assassination, her “mentally straining” position and how she makes time with her young son, Niko.

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While discussing her relationship to her 16-month-old son, she opened up about the one she has with her other man at home, her husband Nicholas Riccio who is around 60 years old, and how his support is keeping their family together during this strenuous time of her life.

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Ricco’s mention came quite abruptly as Devine asked the press secretary, “Could you not find boys your own age who were as mature?”

Unwillingly, Leavitt jokingly started, “Honestly, no if you want to know the truth.”

Sharing the story about how she met her husband in 2022, she said, “We met during my congressional campaign. A friend of mine, who owns a restaurant, is also a mutual friend of my husband’s. He invited my husband to my event at his restaurant and we met.

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Karoline Leavitt got married to Nicholas Riccio in January 2025

“We were acquainted as friends for quite some time. Then of course, we fell in love and here we are today. We’re married with a beautiful baby.”

Just a year after their initial meeting, Riccio proposed in New Hampshire. However, the two hadn’t tied the knot until just days before she stepped into her role as President Trump’s press secretary.

“He is just an amazing guy,” she gushed. “He’s very introverted, unlike me. He stays behind the scenes. He’s not on social media. He’s very private, which I respect. He’s a self-made man.”

Riccio owns a real estate company titled Riccio Enterprises. Over the course of his successful career, he has acquired 15 buildings in Hampton Beach, N.H., which he rents to other family members.

“He’s built his career so he’s in a place where he can support me in mine,” the press secretary said. “He’s an incredibly hands down father. He and my son are just the best of friends.”

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Karoline Leavitt’s husband Nicholas is a “hands on father”(Image: karolineleavitt/Instagram)

Leavitt gave her first media briefing for The White House on January 28. At just 28 years old, the New Hampshire native is the youngest individual to ever hold the position in U.S. history. Before she claimed the distinction, Ronald Ziegler was known for holding that title at age 29 when he served under President Richard Nixon starting in 1969.

She has an extensive background working with Trump, having previously served as national press secretary for his 2024 presidential campaign. She also worked as an assistant press secretary and presidential writer during Trump’s first term, as well as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc.

Leavitt steps into the role previously held by Karine Jean-Pierre, who served under former President Joe Biden.