Startled by Karoline Leavitt’s background as an older husband, but what makes everyone appreciate the most is the reason he chose Karoline Leavitt to be his wife.

At 27, Karoline Leavitt made history as the youngest White House press secretary, impressing audiences with her confidence and poise. A former Fox News intern and congressional candidate, she’s no stranger to pressure.

Her personal life also draws attention, particularly her marriage to Nicholas Riccio, 59, a private yet successful real estate mogul in New Hampshire. Despite intense scrutiny, Leavitt remains focused on her role, balancing the demands of politics, family, and public life.

President Donald Trump’s White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has become a superstar in the political realm—however, her husband boasts his own very impressive career in real estate.(karolineleavitt/Instagram)

The mom of one captured the world’s attention when she made her debut in the briefing room on Jan. 28, quickly impressing viewers with her maturity.(karolineleavitt/Instagram)

However, while he now enjoys a life of privilege, Riccio—who has a net worth of $6 million, according to Distractify—did not achieve his success easily.

The 59-year-old was raised in New Hampshire by his parents, Anthony and Marilyn, who divorced when he was just a young child.

Riccio hopped between homes following their separation, until he ended up living on the streets at the age of 18.

“When I was 19 or 20, I would call my buddies to go over [to] their houses to watch a game just so I could take a shower,” he previously revealed to The Portsmouth Herald.

Riccio put himself through college by stocking shelves at a grocery store and borrowing money, eventually graduating from Plymouth State University.

It was then that his interest in real estate was first fueled.

The businessman—who often opted to sleep in his car when he couldn’t afford to pay rent—took a real estate course in 1990 and fell in love with the building world. He opted to turn his interests to New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach when he realized how many properties in the area were in desperate need of rejuvenation.

He recalled to the Sunday Herald in 2005 that he and his mother were out for a drive in Hampton Beach when they came across M Street, a long stretch of properties that had fallen into a state of severe disrepair over the years—leading to some of the structures being condemned.

Riccio knew almost immediately that he wanted to make the street his legacy—but without the funds to buy up the entire street straight away, he had to start small.

He pushed his finances and managed to pull together enough money to buy just one of the buildings. And thus began his real estate portfolio.

In addition to her accomplished resume, Leavitt’s sophisticated attitude can also be credited to her 59-year-old spouse, who has been thrust into the public eye as his wife makes waves in her new position. (karolineleavitt/Instagram)

Riccio, a private individual, lives a lavish lifestyle as the manager of Riccio Enterprises LLC, a multimillion-dollar real estate company under Nautical Beach Properties. His company owns 10 properties, nine in New Hampshire and one in West Virginia, ranging from $5,500 to $400,000. In 2023, one of his New Hampshire homes caught fire, causing severe water and fire damage, though the cause was never determined.

Nautical Beach Properties offers guests a variety of vacation experiences, including beach walks, cruises, restaurants, and family fun activities. Rooms range from $139 to $154 per night.

Riccio is married to Karoline Leavitt, a former Trump White House staffer. She describes him as the “opposite” of her: an introvert with no social media. Despite his private nature, she calls him her “number one fan” and the best dad.

According to property records, there are currently 10 homes registered under Riccio’s company’s LLC, with nine of them in New Hampshire and one in West Virginia.(Realtor.com)

The homes were all built in the late 1900s and cost Riccio anywhere from $5,500 to $400,000. (Realtor.com)

Riccio and Leavitt likely met through a mutual friend at a political event. In 2022, Riccio supported Leavitt’s U.S. House campaign, which she lost. The next year, they went Instagram-official when Leavitt shared a photo of Riccio proposing. They welcomed a son on July 10, 2024, with Leavitt calling it the “best moment” of her life.

Ahead of her White House press secretary role, Leavitt expressed nervousness about missing time with her son, sharing her concerns on Instagram and saying she was “praying” about it.

Leavitt and Riccio went on to welcome a son on July 10, 2024, with Leavitt calling it the ‘best moment of her life.’ (karolineleavitt/Instagram)

Before becoming White House press secretary, Leavitt shared her concerns about missing moments with her son, admitting it was difficult but something she prays about daily. She expressed gratitude for her supportive husband and family and emphasized the temporary nature of the job, hoping her son will one day be proud of her. She also mentioned her excitement to return to D.C., having previously worked in the White House during Trump’s first term.