Jim Caulfield EVP, General Counsel | realtors.com
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary under President Donald Trump, has garnered attention not only for her political role but also due to her personal life. At 27, she is the youngest person to assume this position. Her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 59, is a significant figure in New Hampshire's real estate scene.
Leavitt made her debut as press secretary on January 28, impressing many with her composure and confidence. However, she faces scrutiny and criticism inherent in such a high-profile role. Her career began at Fox News as an intern before running for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st District at age 25—a bid that ultimately did not succeed but raised her profile in conservative politics.
Her marriage to Riccio has drawn interest due to his background and success story. Riccio overcame homelessness to build a multimillion-dollar real estate empire in New Hampshire. Raised by divorced parents Anthony and Marilyn Riccio, he experienced instability during his youth and lived on the streets at 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 told The Portsmouth Herald.
Riccio worked through college while stocking grocery shelves and eventually graduated from Plymouth State University. His interest in real estate was sparked after taking a course in the field in 1990. He started small by purchasing properties along M Street in Hampton Beach, which were largely dilapidated at the time.
Riccio manages Riccio Enterprises LLC, part of Nautical Beach Properties. The company owns ten homes—nine in New Hampshire and one in West Virginia—with prices ranging from $5,500 to $400,000 each.
In 2023, one of Riccio’s properties suffered significant damage from an undetermined fire cause. Despite preferring privacy—"He doesn’t have social media and he’s an introvert (complete opposite of me)," Leavitt said—Riccio supports Leavitt's public career endeavors.
The couple met through mutual friends at a political event and became publicly engaged via Instagram when Leavitt shared news of Riccio’s proposal: "I get to marry the man of my dreams." They welcomed their son on July 10, 2024.
Leavitt balances her demanding job with family responsibilities: "Yes. I literally pray about this every day... I’m also grateful to have an amazing husband and family who help me."
As she transitions into her new role as press secretary once more within Washington D.C., Leavitt reflects on returning: "We are getting ready to move... looking forward to going back."
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