White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has announced she is expecting her second child, a baby girl, with her husband, real estate developer Nicholas Riccio. The announcement, made on social media on Friday, December 26, 2025, has drawn public attention not only to the pregnancy but also to the couple's significant age gap.
Announcement and White House Reaction
Karoline Leavitt shared the happy news on Instagram, calling the baby "the greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for." The child is due in May 2026. In her post, Leavitt expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for their support and for fostering what she described as a "pro-family environment" within the White House.
This pregnancy marks a historic moment, as Leavitt becomes the first person in the high-profile role of White House Press Secretary to be pregnant while serving. She was appointed as the youngest ever White House press secretary in January 2025 at the start of Trump's second term.
Who is Nicholas Riccio?
The announcement sparked renewed interest in Leavitt's husband, Nicholas Riccio, who is 32 years older than the 28-year-old press secretary. Riccio, 60, is a private US citizen and a successful real estate developer based in New Hampshire.
Riccio's career began after he took a real estate course following his graduation from Plymouth State University. According to a 2005 interview with the Sunday Herald, he experienced financial insecurity during his college years. His big break came in the early 2000s when, driving through Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, he noticed buildings in need of renovation.
He acted on this opportunity, and by 2005, he had purchased 15 buildings comprising 70 living units. Today, he runs Riccio Enterprises and owns a portfolio of more than a dozen rental properties spanning from Boston to New Hampshire's White Mountains.
A Modern Political Love Story
Leavitt and Riccio met in 2022 during Leavitt's congressional campaign. Their relationship progressed quickly; they became engaged in December 2023 and married in January 2025, just ahead of President Trump's second inauguration.
Leavitt has often spoken publicly about her husband, describing him as an "incredible" and steady source of support. She has referred to their bond as an "atypical love story," crediting his encouragement for enabling her to navigate her demanding career in politics.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Niko, on July 10, 2024. The upcoming arrival of their daughter in May 2026 will complete their family of four, blending a high-profile political life with a notably private business background.
