What We Know About Karoline Leavitt and Her Husband, Nicholas Riccio

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt held the first press conference of President Donald Trump's new administration on Tuesday.

Why It Matters

Leavitt, 27, was holding her first press briefing after becoming the youngest person to hold the position. Ronald Ziegler was previously the youngest to serve in the role. He was 29 when he served under President Richard Nixon. The role of press secretary has traditionally included frequent, often daily, briefings, though during recent administrations, including during Trump's first term, the White House has engaged with the public through a number of other avenues, including rallies and social media.

Tuesday offered a first glimpse of Leavitt in the highly visible role as she spent about 47 minutes answering questions from the White House press corps, which included a large amount of discussion about the impact of a possible freeze on federal grants and loans and the administration's efforts into mass deportations.

Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment.

Who Is Karoline Leavitt?

Leavitt previously served as a spokesperson for Trump's campaign and transition and was praised as "smart, tough and highly effective" when he announced her as his press secretary following his election win.

During Trump's first administration, Leavitt was an assistant press secretary and presidential writer.

After Trump lost reelection in 2020, Leavitt became communications director for Republican Representative Elise Stefanik of New York in 2021. Trump nominated Stefanik in November to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

In 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st District. She won the Republican nomination but lost the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas.

Husband Nicholas Riccio: What We Know

Leavitt married Nicholas Riccio, who is 32-years her senior, after getting engaged on Christmas Day in 2023. It is unclear when they officially got married, but Leavitt has "wife" listed in her Instagram bio.

Leavitt and Riccio welcomed their first child, a boy named Nicholas, in July.

Riccio manages a multimillion-dollar real estate business, Riccio Enterprises LLC.

According to Seacoastline.com, Riccio's career started when he drove through a neighborhood in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, in the early 2000s when saw buildings that needed renovation.

By 2005, Riccio had bought 15 buildings, including 70 living units. He now owns properties spanning from Boston to New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Karoline Leavitt's Education

Leavitt attended Saint Anselm College, a liberal arts school in Manchester, New Hampshire, on an athletic scholarship for softball. She graduated in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in politics and communication.

While earning her undergraduate degree, Leavitt volunteered at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. In addition, as a student during the 2016 election, she began working for Fox News, according to Politico.

White House Press Secretary Salary

It is unclear what Leavitt's specific salary is. Previous Trump press secretaries Sean Spicer and Sarah Huckabee Sanders made $179,700 and $165,000, respectively, according to the White House.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump said in a statement to Newsweek in November 2024: "Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary."

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said of Leavitt earlier this month during her last briefing: "I wish her the best of luck. This is a great job, an amazing opportunity to be standing at this podium, behind this lectern, to go back and forth with all of you and, and speak on behalf of this president, the president of the United States. There's nothing like it. And I hope she enjoys the job."

What Happens Next

Leavitt has not committed to daily briefings, saying per the Associated Press, "I can assure you that you'll be hearing from both him and me as much as possible."

Update 1/29/25, 1:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 1/29/25, 2:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.