Karoline Leavitt, born August 24, 1997, became the youngest White House Press Secretary in U.S. history at 27 years old when President Donald Trump appointed her in January 2025. This American political communications strategist from Atkinson, New Hampshire, shattered a 55-year record with her historic appointment as the Republican press secretary.
The youngest government official to command the James Brady Press Room, Leavitt broke the previous record held by Ronald Ziegler. Nixon’s press secretary was 29 when appointed in 1969—two years older than Leavitt’s appointment age.
Her rapid climb from college intern to America’s top government spokesperson represents one of the most extraordinary career progressions in modern political communications.
ℹ Key Takeaways
- Became youngest White House Press Secretary in U.S. history at age 27
- Graduated from Saint Anselm College with Politics and Communication degree
- Married to Nicholas Riccio, 59, with 32-year age gap causing controversy
- Mother to son Niko, born July 2024, balancing career and motherhood
- Rose from college intern to Trump’s National Press Secretary in 6 years
Essential Facts: Direct Answers About Karoline Leavitt
Education and Professional Background
Is Karoline Leavitt a lawyer? No, Karoline Leavitt is not a lawyer or attorney. She graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Communication. Her educational foundation at this New Hampshire institution prepared her for leading White House media strategy as a political communications strategist.
As an American political communications expert, she specializes in public relations, government affairs, and strategic messaging. Her role involves developing and managing public messaging and media strategy for government offices.
Where is Karoline Leavitt from? Karoline Leavitt is from Atkinson, New Hampshire. She was raised in a traditional Catholic household that emphasized public service and strong work ethics.
Religious and Personal Background
Is Karoline Leavitt Catholic? Yes, Karoline Leavitt is Catholic. She attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, from 2011 to 2015. Her Roman Catholic education shaped her conservative worldview. It instilled values of faith, family discipline, and commitment to public service that guide her professional decisions today.
Karoline Leavitt’s religion remains central to her identity. She frequently references how her Catholic upbringing provided the moral foundation for navigating Washington’s complex political environment.
Financial Profile
Karoline Leavitt’s net worth is widely estimated to be between $3 million and $6 million, though precise figures for public officials are often not disclosed. As White House Press Secretary, she earns $195,200 annually. This places her among the highest-compensated White House staff members.
Her wealth comes from strategic government salaries, reported family inheritance, and disciplined financial planning throughout her rapid career advancement. Her compensation matches the standard set by previous press secretaries.
Family Background: The Foundation of Success
Parents and Upbringing
Karoline Leavitt’s parents are Bob Leavitt and Erin Leavitt. Bob Leavitt, born May 4, 1960, operates a used truck dealership in Plaistow, New Hampshire. Erin Leavitt, born July 18, 1970, works as a certified yoga instructor after completing Human Services education.
Their 35-year marriage, despite a 10-year age gap, provided Karoline with a stable foundation. They emphasized entrepreneurship and family values throughout her upbringing.
The Leavitt family owns an ice cream stand in Atkinson. Karoline Leavitt worked at this family business during her teenage years. She learned customer service, work ethics, and small business operations. These early experiences proved invaluable for her later public-facing political roles.
Siblings and Family Dynamics
Karoline Leavitt’s siblings include two older brothers: Michael “Mike” Leavitt and Joseph “Joe” Leavitt. Mike serves as co-owner, vice president, and general manager at Leavitt Auto & Truck. He continues the family’s entrepreneurial legacy. Joe maintains a more private professional profile while remaining close to his politically prominent sister.
As the youngest of four children, Leavitt credits her brothers with developing her resilience. “They had a lot to do with my fortitude and toughness,” she told Derry News.
Her brothers continue treating her as their “little sister” despite her historic Washington role. This provides grounding amid national political pressures.
Family Influence: The Leavitt family’s small-business background and Catholic values created an environment where public service, hard work, and conservative principles were not just encouraged but expected.
Educational Progression: From Student-Athlete to Political Communicator
High School Excellence
Karoline Leavitt attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts. She excelled both academically and athletically. She played softball, earning Eagle-Tribune All-Star recognition in 2014 and 2015.
Her competitive athletic spirit directly translated to her later success in Washington’s competitive political communications arena. Her Catholic education emphasized discipline, critical thinking, and moral reasoning.
These formative years shaped her conservative ideology. They instilled the confidence necessary for articulating complex political positions under intense media scrutiny.
Saint Anselm College Transformation
Karoline Leavitt’s education at Saint Anselm College proved transformative. She received a softball scholarship and majored in Communications with a Political Science minor. She graduated in 2019 as the first college graduate in her immediate family. This achievement represented both personal triumph and family milestone.
During her sophomore year, she founded the Saint Anselm Broadcasting Club and wrote for the school newspaper. She described herself as the “token conservative” on campus. She used her platform to defend Trump administration policies and critique mainstream media coverage.
Her college writings revealed early signs of the communication skills that would define her professional career. Strategic internships became her pathway to Washington.
She worked at Fox News, WMUR-TV, and the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence. By junior year, she abandoned softball to focus entirely on building her political communications career. This decision was driven by her realization that her true passion lay in political advocacy rather than athletics.
“I quickly learned it wasn’t athletics I was interested in. It was politics, public service, news,” she later explained. This choice proved prescient for her rapid career advancement.
Career Ascent: Building Press Secretary Credentials
Early White House Experience
Karoline Leavitt began her White House career as a summer 2018 intern in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. She wrote letters and responses on behalf of President Trump. This provided invaluable experience in official government communications protocols and government affairs management.
This internship, secured through Saint Anselm’s New Hampshire Institute of Politics networking, opened doors that defined her career path as a political communications strategist. After 2019 graduation, she returned as a Presidential Writer. She crafted speeches and official statements.
In June 2020, Karoline Leavitt became Assistant Press Secretary under Kayleigh McEnany. A Secret Service friend’s recommendation led to this promotion. The recommendation recognized her potential during her internship performance.
Her Assistant Press Secretary role during COVID-19 and the contentious 2020 election provided intensive crisis communications training. She attended Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination ceremony in the Rose Garden. This event was later identified as a COVID-19 superspreader event.
Leavitt contracted the virus herself. She experienced firsthand the health challenges facing the administration. This personal experience with COVID-19 deepened her understanding of the administration’s pandemic response challenges. It enhanced her ability to communicate health-related policies with authentic perspective.
Congressional Campaign Experience
In 2022, Karoline Leavitt ran as a New Hampshire congressional candidate for the state’s 1st Congressional District. She won the Republican primary by positioning herself as the most pro-Trump candidate. However, she lost the general election to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas.
This electoral defeat did not end her political aspirations. Instead, it provided crucial campaign experience and elevated her profile within Republican circles.
Her congressional campaign focused on conservative principles: lower taxes, stronger border security, and reduced federal regulations. Though unsuccessful, the campaign demonstrated her ability to articulate Republican positions and connect with New Hampshire voters. These skills impressed Trump campaign leadership.
Path to Press Secretary
How did Karoline Leavitt get the job as White House Press Secretary? She earned the appointment through exceptional performance as Trump’s National Press Secretary during the 2024 presidential campaign. Joining the campaign in January 2024, she managed communications during one of the most contentious election cycles in American history.
Her ability to articulate Trump’s positions clearly impressed campaign leadership. She defended controversial policies under pressure and maintained composure during hostile media interactions. She notably handled communications during the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. She cut short her own maternity leave to manage crisis communications.
Her defense of Trump’s policies on immigration, the economy, and foreign relations throughout the campaign demonstrated her expertise in rapid response messaging. When Trump secured victory, her campaign performance made her the natural choice for White House Press Secretary.
Marriage and Motherhood: Personal Life Under Scrutiny
Age-Gap Marriage Details
Is Karoline Leavitt married? Yes, Karoline Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio. Their relationship has drawn significant attention due to their substantial age difference. Karoline Leavitt’s husband, Nicholas Riccio, born in 1965, is 59 years old, making him 32 years older than Leavitt, who was born in 1997.
They met during her 2022 congressional campaign through a mutual friend hosting an event at a New Hampshire restaurant. Riccio proposed on Christmas Day 2023. They married in January 2025 at Wentworth By the Sea Country Club in New Hampshire.
Nicholas Riccio overcame childhood homelessness to build a successful real estate empire through Riccio Enterprises LLC. He specializes in Hampton Beach properties.
Addressing criticism about their age gap, Leavitt told The Megyn Kelly Show their relationship is “atypical” but based on genuine compatibility. “He’s built a very successful business himself, so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career,” she explained.
Motherhood and Career Balance
Does Karoline Leavitt have any kids? Yes, Karoline Leavitt has one child. Karoline Leavitt’s baby is a son named Nicholas Robert “Niko” Riccio, born July 10, 2024.
The timing proved challenging. She returned to work just days after giving birth due to the Trump assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. Campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita offered a month of parental leave. However, she requested only ten days.
“I looked at my husband and said, ‘Looks like I’m going back to work,'” she recalled. This decision demonstrated her professional commitment while highlighting the unique challenges facing working mothers in high-pressure political roles.
A May 2025 photograph of Leavitt breastfeeding her son while working drew international attention. The image symbolized modern working motherhood challenges. It sparked discussions about work-life balance expectations for women in prominent government positions.
Generational Shift: Leavitt represents the first Generation Z White House Press Secretary, bringing fresh perspectives to traditional government communications while navigating modern parenting challenges.
Professional Innovation: Transforming White House Communications
Modernizing Press Relations
Karoline Leavitt has revolutionized White House press briefings by opening credentials to “new media voices.” Her January 28, 2025 inaugural briefing announced access for podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators. This acknowledges how Americans consume news in 2025.
“As the youngest press secretary in history, I take great pride in opening up this room to new media voices,” she declared. This approach reflects her generation’s understanding of diverse media platforms. It maintains traditional press secretary responsibilities while embracing change.
Her confrontational style with establishment media represents a deliberate strategy. Unlike previous press secretaries who sought accommodation with traditional outlets, Leavitt prioritizes direct communication through multiple channels. These include social media and alternative platforms.
Her communication style is characterized by assertive, articulate responses and unwavering directness. This reflects both her generation’s communication preferences and her New Hampshire straightforwardness.
Historical Comparisons and Impact
The Ronald Ziegler comparison highlights generational changes in political communications. While Ziegler navigated Watergate-era challenges at 29, Leavitt manages social media-driven news cycles at 27. Both faced unprecedented communication challenges requiring innovative approaches.
Her tenure in the James Brady Press Room honors the legacy of the press secretary wounded during the 1981 assassination attempt on President Reagan. According to the White House Historical Association, Leavitt’s role continues this tradition while adapting to 21st-century communication realities.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
Whitney Leavitt Confusion
Is Karoline Leavitt related to Whitney Leavitt? No, Karoline Leavitt is not related to Whitney Leavitt. This common misconception arises from their shared surname. Whitney Leavitt is a completely separate individual. She is a TikTok influencer and social media personality from Utah, born in 1990.
The confusion stems from both being public figures with the surname “Leavitt.” However, they represent entirely different geographic regions (New Hampshire versus Utah), professions (politics versus social media), and generations. No family connection exists between them.
Physical Characteristics and Personal Details
While Karoline Leavitt’s height remains undocumented in public records, her professional presentation meets White House Press Secretary standards. Questions about Karoline Leavitt’s weight loss lack documentation in reputable sources. Her focus remains on policy communication rather than personal appearance discussions.
Her professional wardrobe and presentation style reflect the dignity expected of someone representing the American presidency on the global stage. She maintains appropriate professional standards while bringing youthful energy to the role.
Current Impact and Future Implications
Redefining Press Secretary Expectations
Leavitt’s historic appointment demonstrates how traditional government roles can adapt to contemporary communication needs. Her success challenges age-based assumptions about political leadership. She maintains conservative principles that resonate with Trump’s base.
Her approach to New Hampshire politics provides a template for young Republicans seeking national prominence. By leveraging local experience, educational credentials, and strategic career decisions, she created a pathway other young conservatives might follow.
Long-term Political Trajectory
As both the youngest press secretary and a new mother, Leavitt represents evolving expectations for women in politics. Her ability to balance professional demands with personal responsibilities may influence how future administrations approach work-life integration for senior staff.
Her Trump administration spokesperson role positions her as a key figure in conservative communications strategy. Success in this position could lead to broader political opportunities. These might include elected office or media careers.
According to Politico’s analysis, her tenure will likely influence how future press secretaries engage with both traditional and digital media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Karoline Leavitt is an American political communications strategist. She currently serves as the White House Press Secretary.
Born on August 24, 1997, Karoline Leavitt is 27 years old as of July 2025. She is the youngest person to hold the White House Press Secretary role
Karoline Leavitt attended Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and communication.
Leavitt started in politics as a White House intern, becoming an assistant press secretary in Trump’s first administration. She also served as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik and as National Press Secretary for the 2024 Trump campaign before becoming White House Press Secretary.
Yes, Karoline Leavitt is married to real estate developer Nicholas Riccio. They married in January 2025 and welcomed a son, Nicholas Robert Riccio, in 2024.
Conclusion: A Historic Appointment’s Lasting Significance
Karoline Leavitt’s appointment as America’s youngest White House Press Secretary represents more than personal achievement. It signals generational change in political communications. At 27, she brings fresh perspectives to government messaging while maintaining the conservative values instilled during her New Hampshire Catholic upbringing.
Her progression from Saint Anselm College student-athlete to the nation’s top government spokesperson demonstrates how talent, strategic preparation, and seized opportunities can create extraordinary career advancement. As an American woman breaking barriers in political communications, whether her press secretary tenure matches the longevity of predecessors remains uncertain. However, her historic appointment has permanently secured her place in American political history.
As she continues balancing new motherhood demands with Washington’s most challenging communications role, Karoline Leavitt represents a new generation of political leaders. They navigate traditional responsibilities with modern sensibilities. Her success or challenges will likely influence how future administrations approach personnel selection and media strategy in an increasingly complex global communications environment.
Her story proves that in American politics, youth combined with preparation, clear principles, and effective communication can overcome traditional barriers. This inspires a new generation of conservative leaders while honoring the foundational values that shaped her remarkable ascent to power.
