• Just days after giving birth, Karoline Leavitt returned to work following a major security incident involving her employer.
• Months before marrying her longtime partner, she shared the first images of their newborn son with the public.
• Since then, she has revealed several moments featuring her baby’s face, drawing widespread attention online.

Karoline Leavitt’s path to parenthood unfolded in the public eye, drawing attention not only for her high-profile position but also for the personal choices she shares with her audience. From major life events to quiet family moments, she marks each milestone with carefully chosen glimpses into her private world.

Each post draws attention, offering rare glimpses into her family and prompting strong reactions from followers. The story behind these moments shows how Leavitt balanced new parenthood, a demanding career, and a relationship that began during her campaign for Congress.

A Campaign Event Sparks a Connection

Leavitt met Nicholas Riccio in 2022 during her campaign for Congress in New Hampshire. A mutual friend hosted an event at a restaurant owned by Riccio and invited him to attend. Leavitt was a guest speaker at the event.

“We were acquainted as friends, and then we fell in love, as you said,” Leavitt later recalled. At the time of their meeting, Leavitt was 25 and Riccio was 57.

By the time their relationship became public, the 32-year age gap drew attention across social media. In an interview, Leavitt acknowledged, “It’s a very atypical love story. But he’s incredible. He is my greatest supporter, he’s my best friend, he’s my rock.”

Over the months, their relationship progressed. They became engaged during the Christmas holiday in 2023. Leavitt shared the news with her followers on Instagram, posting images from the proposal. The photos showed Riccio on one knee, Leavitt’s engagement ring, and the couple embracing with a kiss.

By the time the engagement was made public, Leavitt was already preparing for a busy year ahead. Months after the engagement, Leavitt shared a post that marked the beginning of her journey into parenthood.

Leavitt Shares Her Pregnancy News

In April 2024, Leavitt announced her pregnancy through a post on Instagram. She shared photos of her baby bump and wrote, “2024 is busy for more reasons than one. Adding ‘boy mom’ to my title soon. I am so grateful for all of the blessings God has given me.”

At the time, Leavitt was serving as the national press secretary for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. She accepted the role while still in the early stages of her pregnancy. Before publicly disclosing the news, she informed the campaign’s co-managers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita.

Speaking about their response, she said, “They couldn’t have been more accepting and welcoming of me.” Throughout her pregnancy, Leavitt maintained a demanding work schedule. Her day often began at 4 A.M. with media appearances on outlets like Fox News and Newsmax.

Reflecting on that period, Leavitt remarked that she was never sick and that Niko traveled well with her throughout hotel stays and flights. “Exactly the way he was inside of me,” she’d later say, “is who he is as a baby now.” She balanced campaign travel, briefings, and press commitments while preparing for the arrival of her child.

Niko’s Birth and a Return to Work

Leavitt gave birth to her son, Nicholas Robert Riccio—nicknamed Niko—on July 10, 2024, at 11:25 PM. Five days later, she announced his birth on Instagram, posting photos of herself and the newborn. In the caption, she described the moment as the best of her life and expressed gratitude for their healthy, happy son.

Three days after giving birth, Leavitt watched a live broadcast of Trump being shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. It was her first full day home from the hospital. She later stated that, upon seeing the event unfold, she decided to return to work. Four days after delivery, she resumed her role as national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign.

“I looked at my husband and said, ‘Looks like I’m going back to work,'” she recounted. Four days after giving birth, Leavitt resumed her duties as national press secretary. She explained, “I felt compelled to be present in this historic moment. The president literally put his life on the line to win this election. The least I could do is get back to work quickly.”

Shortly after returning to work, Leavitt received a phone call from Trump. She said, “It was incredibly warm and kind. He wanted to check in. He asked me how I was doing.” Trump then handed the phone to his wife, Melania Trump, who spoke with Leavitt about becoming a mother to a son.

She recalled, “They spoke about their love for Barron, and the president cracked a joke: ‘We have a little boy, but he’s not so little now!'” Shortly after resuming her duties, Leavitt shared Niko’s first photos online, marking the beginning of five notable moments when she revealed his face to the public.

Leavitt’s first post about her newly born son included images of the baby swaddled and resting, along with Leavitt holding him. This post marked the first of several public glimpses Leavitt shared of Niko, each one offering a new view into her family life.

In the months that followed, Leavitt continued to balance her role on the campaign with motherhood, sharing additional moments of Niko as part of her daily routine.

Balancing Family and Career: Inside Leavitt’s Daily Life with Niko

Leavitt’s workdays often began at 4 A.M. with early media appearances on Fox News, Newsmax, and Fox Business. While managing campaign briefings and travel, she also attended to Niko, both at home and on the road.

During this period, Leavitt shared moments of her routine, describing how she completed multiple tasks simultaneously. She recalled doing her makeup, nursing Niko, and preparing for a televised segment at the same time.

Her work routine remained rigorous, often starting before sunrise with media appearances, briefings, and campaign travel. She described following the “Donald Trump sleep schedule,” averaging about four hours of sleep per night.

Caring for Niko added complexity to that routine, and Leavitt acknowledged that balancing both roles came with emotional and physical challenges. “Leaving the baby every day to go to work, it does break your heart,” she said.

She also noted, “It would have been a lot easier for me to respectfully decline this job offer and enjoy this past year in the peace and comfort of my previous job. But I know I’m doing it for a bigger cause— to win this election.”

Leavitt received logistical and emotional support from her husband, Riccio, and her mother, both of whom helped care for Niko during travel and work obligations. Riccio often accompanied Leavitt and their son, including trips to Bedminster, New Jersey, where she worked campaign events.

“He’s the father of my child, of course, and he’s the best dad I could ever ask for. And so supportive, especially during this very chaotic period of life,” Leavitt gushed during an interview. During the campaign period, her supportive mother had to leave her job at a yoga studio to assist more regularly.

At Trump’s campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, Saturdays often served as informal “bring-your-kid-to-work” days. Leavitt worked alongside other team members who were also parents, including Danielle Alvarez, Sonny Joy Nelson, Alina Habba, Lara Trump, and Susie Wiles.

Leavitt noted that campaign staff often worked through early mornings and late nights, managing both professional tasks and childcare responsibilities. Since she came into the public eye, Leavitt has always shown a remarkable work ethic.

She worked for U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, served in the Trump administration, and ran for Congress in New Hampshire, where she won the Republican primary at 25. After that campaign, she launched a consulting business, which she paused when she accepted the role of national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign.

In November 2024, Leavitt was appointed White House press secretary, in preparation for what would be Trump’s second term in office, pending inauguration.

At age 27, she became the youngest person in U.S. history to hold the position, a fact that was widely reported in national media. Amid the demands of her role and family life, Leavitt also marked a personal milestone at the start of the new year.

Leavitt Ties the Knot Two Months After Historic Appointment

Leavitt and Riccio were married in January 2025, six months after the birth of their son. On March 12, Leavitt posted several photos from their wedding on Instagram. In the caption, she wrote, “Finally found some time to post a few of my favorite pictures from one of my favorite days!”

The post received both supportive and critical responses. Positive comments included, “You’re the best White House press secretary. Proud to be an American,” and “The luckiest guy in the world. Congratulations. What a treasure to our country. Thank you.”

Others wrote, “ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!♥️♥️ YOU ARE ONE AMAZING YOUNG LADY!!!” and “They may be decades apart in age but they certainly don’t look it.” Negative comments appeared as well.

One user wrote, “Being in your 20s and looking like you’re in the same age group as your senior citizen husband is crazy.” Another commented, “Gross, weird. And the republican makeup just makes you look older than you are.” A third added, “You and your dad look so sweet.”

Leavitt continues to post images of her family, including new photos of Niko that documented his early milestones. One such post drew numerous comments. Supportive messages included, “Soo cute♥️,” “So precious! ♥️,” and “Amazing mom and amazing press secretary.”

Alongside these updates, Leavitt reflected on the values she hoped to instill in Niko and the legacy she wished to leave through the experiences they shared in his earliest months.

Leavitt Reflects on Motherhood and Hopes for Niko’s Future

As her son grew through his early milestones, Leavitt shared reflections on her experience as a first-time mother, including thoughts on Niko’s temperament and her hopes for his future.

She described him as calm and adaptable, noting that throughout her pregnancy and work-related travel, he had been easy to care for.

She observed that his personality as a baby reflected how he had been before birth — quiet and consistent during months spent in hotel rooms and on flights across the country.

Leavitt expressed a desire to raise her son with confidence and faith, hoping that he would understand his worth as coming from God, not from others.

She also said she wished for him to grow up kind, serious when necessary, and fun when the moment allowed. Speaking about the future, Leavitt said she hoped that one day Niko would look back at all she did during his early life and feel proud of his mother.

At just 27, Leavitt has reached milestones in both her professional and personal life that few achieve at any age. From securing a Congressional primary win at 25 to becoming the youngest White House press secretary in history, her career reflects a steady progression marked by discipline and determination.

Through each stage, Leavitt has remained grounded in her values, expressing confidence in her purpose and a clear dedication to her family. Her public posts serve not only as personal updates but as evidence of the balance she maintains between responsibility and love for those closest to her.