White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Opens Up About Her Age-Gap Marriage and Expanding Family
“It’s certainly a difficult discussion to initiate at first. However, naturally, once they got to know him and observed who he is as a man, and his character and the depth of his affection for me, I believe it became considerably easier for them,” Leavitt told Miranda Devine in November 2025.
Leavitt and her husband welcomed their first child together in July 2024. They announced they were expecting their second child, a little girl, in December 2025.
WH Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's Family Guide: Age-Gap Romance, More
“The most wonderful Christmas present we could ever wish for – a baby girl arriving in May 2026,” Leavitt revealed via Instagram. “My husband and I are delighted to expand our family and eagerly anticipate watching our son become a big brother. My heart is overflowing with thankfulness to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I genuinely believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.”
Keep scrolling to read everything Leavitt has shared in defense of her age-gap marriage.
She Couldn’t Locate ‘Mature’ Men Her Age
During an appearance on “Pod Force One with Miranda Devine” in November 2025, Leavitt admitted her age-gap marriage is “unusual” – but that she didn’t have many options available. After Devine inquired, “Couldn’t you find men your own age, who are equally mature?” Leavitt said she definitely struggled.
“Honestly, no, if you want to be frank,” she said.
Her Husband Supports Her High-Stakes Career
Leavitt also told Devine that because Riccio has already established his own successful career, he’s better positioned to support her as she develops a prominent political career.
“He is wonderful,” Leavitt praised of her husband. “He’s a self-made individual, which I admire… He’s built his career, so he’s in a place where he can support me in mine.”
Telling Her Parents About The Relationship Was “Challenging”
Leavitt also told Devine she had a “challenging” conversation with her parents when she initially informed them about Riccio, partly because her mother is younger than her husband.
“It’s certainly a difficult discussion to initiate at first,” she admitted. “But then, naturally, once they got to know him and observed who he is as a man, and his character and how much he adores me, I believe it became considerably easier for them. And now we’re all friends. I mean, it’s a typical family dynamic. 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 visit.”
Her Husband Is An Introvert
Leavitt also said she and Riccio differ in their approaches to social media and the public eye. “He remains behind the scenes. He’s not on social media. He’s very private and he’s an incredibly involved father,” she explained. “He and my son are simply the best of friends.”
Her Husband Made Her Return To Work Possible
Leavitt returned to work shortly after giving birth due to the July 2024 assassination attempt against President Donald Trump.
“[The assassination attempt] rather propelled me back to work much sooner than I would have likely anticipated or hoped,” she told Megyn Kelly in February 2025. “But becoming a mother amidst this very turbulent political world that I work in has been the best thing I could have ever imagined because it provides you with great perspective and it humbles you.”
She added, “My son doesn’t care about my job. He simply wants me to come home and cuddle and play with toys and be present. It is a difficult balance to prioritize being proficient at my job and being good as a mother, but I simply try to prioritize my time and carve out that time when I can.”
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Riccio played a vital role in making that return possible, she also explained.
“I am so grateful to have the support system I do,” Leavitt said. “[I have] a wonderful husband who can be very present with our child and then, naturally, a wonderful mother and father and friends who lend a hand when I need them.”
