Karoline Leavitt is an American political spokesperson who made history as the 36th White House press secretary, serving under President Donald Trump’s second administration. At 27 years old, she became the youngest person ever to hold the position. A New Hampshire native and Republican Party member, Leavitt previously ran for Congress in 2022 and served as the national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Her rapid rise in conservative politics, combined with her historic appointment, has positioned her as a prominent Gen Z figure in American government.
Quick Facts Table
Detail Information
Full Name Karoline Claire Leavitt
Date of Birth ^
Age 28 (as of 2026)
Nationality American
Profession Political Spokesperson, White House Press Secretary
Political Party Republican
Height 5’4″ (163 cm)
Spouse Nicholas Riccio (m. 2025)
Children 2
Education Saint Anselm College (BA in Politics and Communication)
Net Worth Estimated $6–7 million
Table of Contents
Early Life and Family
Childhood
Karoline Claire Leavitt was born on August 24, 1997, in Atkinson, New Hampshire. She grew up in a devoutly Roman Catholic household alongside her two older brothers, Joe and Mike. Her parents, Bob and Erin Leavitt, owned small businesses—an ice cream shop and a used car dealership—which shaped her perspective on business and regulation.
Leavitt attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, before enrolling at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Parents and Family Background
Bob and Erin Leavitt raised their three children with strong Catholic values. The family’s small business background influenced Karoline’s pro-business, low-regulation policy stances. Her father, Bob, bonded with her over watching television news, while her mother encouraged her to explore career opportunities in media and politics.
Education
Leavitt attended Saint Anselm College on a softball scholarship. During her undergraduate years, she studied politics and communication, graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
While at Saint Anselm, she wrote for the school newspaper, The Saint Anselm Crier, and founded the Saint Anselm College Broadcasting Club. In 2016, she authored an article critical of what she called the “liberal media,” describing it as “unjust, unfair, and sometimes just plain old false”. She also interned at Fox News and worked part-time at WMUR-TV.
Age and i i .Birthday
Karoline Leavitt was born on August 24, 1997. She turned 28 in 2026. Her birthday has been marked by White House celebrations, including a surprise party hosted by Trump’s team in 2025. When she assumed the role of press secretary in January 2025, she was 27 years old, making her the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history. The previous record holder was Ron Ziegler, who was 29 when appointed in 1969 under President Richard Nixon.
Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Detail Measurement
Height 5’4″ (163 cm)
Eye Color Gray
Hair Color Light Blonde
According to her college softball statistics, Leavitt stands 5 feet 4 inches tall. She maintains a professional appearance consistent with her high-profile government role.
Career Journey
Early Career
Leavitt’s political career began during her college years. She interned at Fox News and later secured a White House internship in the Office of Presidential Correspondence during Trump’s first term. After graduating in 2019, she joined the White House press office as an assistant press secretary under Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
Breakthrough
In June 2020, Leavitt became an assistant White House press secretary. Following Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election, she transitioned to become communications director for New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a close Trump ally.
In July 2021, Leavitt announced her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district. She won a 10-way Republican primary, becoming the first Gen Z Republican to win a GOP primary. However, she lost the general election to incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.
Major Achievements
Leavitt served as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC, before joining Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign as national press secretary. After Trump’s reelection in November 2024, he appointed her as White House press secretary. She officially assumed office on January 20, 2025.
During her tenure, Leavitt became the first White House press secretary in history to give birth while serving in the role. She gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May 2026.
Recent Career Updates
On August 12, 2026, President Trump announced that Leavitt would step down as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her young family. Trump described her as “a real leader in the White House” who had “done a phenomenal job”. She is expected to continue as an outside adviser to the president.
Career Timeline
Year Milestone
2016 Interned at Fox News while in college
2019 Graduated from Saint Anselm College; joined White House press office
2020 Became assistant White House press secretary
2021 Became communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik
2022 Ran for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st district; won GOP primary but lost general election
2023 Served as spokesperson for MAGA Inc. super PAC
2024 Joined Trump’s presidential campaign as national press secretary
January 20, 2025 Assumed office as 36th White House press secretary
May 2026 Gave birth to daughter Viviana, her second child
August 2026 Announced departure from White House press secretary role
Awards and Achievements
· Youngest White House Press Secretary in U.S. History – Appointed at age 27
· First Gen Z Republican to Win a Congressional Primary (2022)
· First White House Press Secretary to Give Birth While Serving (2026)
· 36th White House Press Secretary – Served under the second Trump administration
· Presidential Writer – Served in Trump’s first administration
Relationship Status
Karoline Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, a New Hampshire-based real estate developer. The couple has a 32-year age gap, which Leavitt has described as “a very atypical love story”.
They met in 2022 during Leavitt’s congressional campaign, when a mutual friend hosted an event at a restaurant Riccio owns. Riccio proposed on Christmas Day 2023, and the couple married in January 2025, just before Leavitt assumed her role as press secretary.
The couple has two children:
· Nicholas Robert Riccio (“Niko”) – born July 2024
· Viviana Riccio (“Vivi”) – born May 1, 2026
Leavitt returned to work just four days after giving birth to her first child, following an assassination attempt on Trump.
Net Worth
Karoline Leavitt’s net worth is estimated to be between $6 million and $7 million.
Income Sources
Source Estimated Amount
White House Press Secretary Salary 195,200 per year
Media Opportunities Variable
Real Estate Investments (combined with husband) Significant
Previous Political Roles $70,000 (2021 estimate)
Her husband, Nicholas Riccio, is a real estate developer with an estimated net worth of approximately $6 million. Their combined real estate portfolio and investments contribute substantially to their overall wealth.
Leavitt’s salary as press secretary is consistent with Executive Schedule Level IV compensation.
Social Media Presence
Platform Handle/Info
Instagram @karolineleavitt
Followers Approximately 3 million
Content Family, career updates, political messaging
Leavitt maintains an active social media presence, particularly on Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her family life, professional milestones, and personal style. She has used her platform to advocate for conservative policies and share Bible verses.
Lesser Known Facts
- Softball Scholarship – Leavitt attended Saint Anselm College on a softball scholarship.
- Broadcasting Club Founder – She founded the Saint Anselm College Broadcasting Club during her undergraduate years.
- Returned to Work Four Days Postpartum – After giving birth to her son in July 2024, she returned to work just four days later following an assassination attempt on Trump.
- Her Parents Are Closer in Age to Her Husband – Karoline’s parents are surprisingly close in age to her 60-year-old husband, Nicholas Riccio.
- Ethnic Background – Leavitt’s ethnicity includes French-Canadian, English, one-eighth Irish, and one-eighth Italian heritage.
- Former Sports Journalism Aspiration – Before entering politics, Leavitt aspired to become a sports anchor.
- Gun Rights Advocate – She has shared videos of herself firing a machine gun at a shooting range, captioned with pro-Second Amendment messaging.
- White House Intern Turned Press Secretary – She began her White House career as an intern in the Office of Presidential Correspondence.
- First Press Secretary to Give Birth While in Office – Leavitt made history as the first White House press secretary to give birth while serving in the role.
- Proposed on Christmas – Her husband proposed on Christmas Day 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How old is Karoline Leavitt?
Karoline Leavitt was born on August 24, 1997. She is 28 years old as of 2026.
- Who is Karoline Leavitt’s husband?
She is married to Nicholas Riccio, a New Hampshire real estate developer.
- How many children does Karoline Leavitt have?
She has two children: a son named Nicholas Robert “Niko” Riccio (born July 2024) and a daughter named Viviana “Vivi” Riccio (born May 2026).
- What is Karoline Leavitt’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated to be between $6 million and $7 million.
- Where did Karoline Leavitt go to college?
She attended Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, graduating in 2019 with a BA in politics and communication.
- When did Karoline Leavitt become White House press secretary?
She assumed office on January 20, 2025.
- Is Karoline Leavitt the youngest press secretary ever?
Yes, at age 27, she became the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history.
- Did Karoline Leavitt run for Congress?
Yes, she ran for New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district in 2022. She won the Republican primary but lost to incumbent Democrat Chris Pappas.
- What is Karoline Leavitt’s height?
She is 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall.
- Why is Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House?
She announced she would step down at the end of August 2026 to spend more time with her young family.
Conclusion
Karoline Leavitt has carved a unique path in American political history. From her early days as a White House intern to becoming the youngest press secretary ever at age 27, her career trajectory reflects a rapid ascent through conservative politics. A New Hampshire native and Gen Z Republican, she won a competitive congressional primary in 2022 before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign and ultimately serving as the public face of his second administration. Her tenure was marked by historic milestones, including becoming the first press secretary to give birth while in office. As she steps down to focus on her young family, Karoline Leavitt remains a significant figure in modern American politics.
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