Karoline Claire Leavitt was born on August 24, 1997, in Atkinson, New Hampshire. Raised in a Catholic family, she grew up helping out at her family’s ice cream shop and used truck dealership in Plaistow, New Hampshire. Leavitt attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and later went on to Saint Anselm College on a scholarship for NCAA Division II college softball. She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Political Science.
Career Journey
Leavitt’s career in politics began during her college years when she interned at Fox News and the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence. After graduating, she joined the White House Press Office as an assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany. Following the first Trump administration, she served as the communications director for Republican U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik from New York. In 2022, Leavitt ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Hampshire’s 1st district, winning the Republican nomination before losing in the general election to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas.
Karoline Leavitt Age
At age 27, the New Hampshire native is the youngest person ever to be named White House press secretary. She’s the sixth working mother in a row to hold the post.
Appointment as White House Press Secretary
In January 2025, Leavitt made history by becoming the youngest White House Press Secretary in U.S. history at the age of 27. Appointed by President Donald Trump, she has been praised for her smart and tough communication style. Leavitt’s tenure has been marked by assertive media engagements and a commitment to transparency.
Roles in the Trump Administration
Upon graduating in 2019, Leavitt joined the Trump administration as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary. In these capacities, she was involved in drafting speeches, preparing press releases, and assisting in the daily operations of the White House press office. Her tenure was marked by a commitment to advancing the administration’s messaging and effectively communicating its policies to the public.
Congressional Run in New Hampshire
In 2022, Leavitt returned to her home state to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District. She secured the Republican nomination but was defeated in the general election by the incumbent, Chris Pappas. Despite the loss, her campaign elevated her profile within the Republican Party and demonstrated her appeal to a broad base of conservative voters.
Return to National Politics
Following her congressional run, Leavitt continued to play a significant role in national politics. She served as the national press secretary for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, where she was responsible for managing media relations and crafting the campaign’s messaging strategy. Her efforts were instrumental in shaping the public narrative and garnering support for the campaign.
Karoline Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer. The couple welcomed their first child, Nicholas Robert, on July 10, 2024. Despite the demands of her role, Leavitt returned to work shortly after giving birth, demonstrating her dedication to her career.
Leavitt’s net worth is estimated to be around $6 million, a testament to her successful career in politics and communications. She has been recognized for her contributions to the Trump administration and her efforts to promote conservative values.
As the White House Press Secretary, her salary is expected to be around $180,000, which was the salary of her predecessor, Karine Jean-Pierre.
Karoline Claire Leavitt’s journey from a small-town ice cream shop to the White House is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for politics. As the youngest White House Press Secretary in history, she continues to make a significant impact on American politics.