White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt smiling© Joshua Sukoff/Shutterstock

Karoline Leavitt has made headlines for everything from her questionable fashion choices to her spreading of misinformation to her 32-year age gap with her husband, Nicholas Riccio. Throughout it all, the 27-year-old political upstart has had the loving support of her parents, Bob and Erin Leavitt. Although some may be surprised to learn that Karoline’s dad isn’t much older than her husband — and her mom is actually younger.

Erin has frequently taken to Facebook to celebrate her husband’s birthday, posting such sweet sentiments as, “Wishing our King a Very Blessed and Happy Birthday,” when he turned 64 on May 4, 2024. Meanwhile, Bob has often done the same. “If you see my lovely Wife today, wish her a Happy Birthday. 36 birthdays ago today we went out on our first date. We’ve been side-by-side ever since,” Bob shared on July 18, 2024. “Happy Birthday Erin, hope you have a wonderful day.” Erin was born in 1970, meaning she’ll be 55 this year.

Meanwhile, Karoline’s husband Nick, whom she married in January 2025, turned 60 in February, making him only four years younger than her own dad and nearly six years older than her mom. Interestingly, neither of Karoline’s parents seemed to have posted anything to social media regarding their daughter’s wedding, although Erin shared a sweet Facebook post on Karoline’s birthday in August, celebrating her new grandson. “Happiest Birthday to my Sweet Karoline,” Erin wrote. “May God Bless you and your precious new baby Niko this year.”

Karoline Leavitt Has Defended Her Romance Despite Their Age Gap


Karoline Leavitt and husband Nicholas Riccio with their son© @karolineleavitt/Instagram

While Karoline Leavitt and husband Nick Riccio have a larger age gap than Donald and Melania Trump, the working mom and political firebrand has been effusive in her love and praise for her hubby. Years ago, Riccio kickstarted his real estate career by buying and fixing up rundown homes in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, and became a self-made millionaire by the time he and Leavitt crossed paths and fell in love.

“It’s a very atypical love story but he’s incredible,” Leavitt shared in an interview on “The Megyn Kelly Show” in February. “He is my greatest supporter, he’s my best friend and he’s my rock. He’s built a very successful business himself so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career.”

Age gaps among couples in politics aren’t anything new. However, some on social media have called out Leavitt for rarely posting photos of herself and Riccio, and feel his absence is one of several red flags in their marriage. Leavitt has explained to her Instagram followers in the past, however, that Riccio is simply a reserved person who values his privacy. “He doesn’t have social media and he’s an introvert,” Leavitt shared (via Daily Mail). “I respect his privacy on here — but he’s my number one fan, the best dad, and just the best man I’ve ever met.”