Karoline Leavitt’s political passion was shaped by a childhood rooted in faith, family, and small business values.
Karoline Leavitt made history in 2025 when she became the youngest White House press secretary ever at just 27.
Born on August 24, 1997, in Atkinson, New Hampshire, Leavitt has quickly risen through the political ranks, establishing herself as a prominent voice in Republican politics.
A graduate of Saint Anselm College with degrees in communications and political science, Leavitt began her political career with an internship at the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence.
She later served as an assistant White House press secretary under the first Trump administration in 2020 before becoming communications director for New York Representative Elise Stefanik.
Before her political career took off, Leavitt was an accomplished athlete.
During her high school years at Central Catholic High School, she excelled in softball and was named an Eagle-Tribune All-Star in both 2014 and 2015.
Her athletic prowess earned her a scholarship to play softball at Saint Anselm College, though she ultimately gave up the sport by the end of her sophomore year to focus on her growing political interests.
In 2022, Leavitt won the Republican primary for New Hampshire’s first congressional district, though she ultimately lost to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas.
She later joined MAGA Inc., Trump’s super PAC, before serving as national press secretary for his successful 2024 presidential campaign.
Following Trump’s victory, she was appointed White House press secretary in November 2024.
The Role of Karoline Leavitt’s Parents In Her Rise
Karoline Leavitt’s strong political convictions and work ethic stem directly from her upbringing by parents Bob and Erin Leavitt.
As small business owners in New Hampshire, the Leavitts instilled entrepreneurial values in their daughter from an early age.
Bob Leavitt owns Leavitt Auto & Truck, a used car and truck dealership in Plaistow, New Hampshire, which he established in 1995.
The family also previously owned Leavitt’s Ice Cream in Atkinson, providing Karoline with firsthand experience of the challenges faced by small business owners.
Erin Leavitt, born in 1970, previously worked at a yoga studio in New Hampshire but stepped away from this position to support her daughter’s political career and campaign travel demands.
The couple, who have been together since their first date 36 years ago, also raised two sons, Joe and Mike, alongside Karoline.
The Leavitts provided their children with a traditional Catholic upbringing, sending them to Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
This religious foundation deeply influenced Karoline, who continues to emphasize her faith as an important part of her identity, even maintaining a dedicated “Faith” section on her Instagram profile.
Karoline often credits watching her parents navigate the challenges of running small businesses as formative to her political outlook, particularly her advocacy for “pro-business, low-regulation, and America-first policies.”
As the first person in her immediate family to earn a college degree, Leavitt represents the achievement of the American dream that her parents worked to provide.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Karoline Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, who is 59 years old and has a 32-year age gap with her. They have a baby boy named Niko.
- In February 2025, as White House press secretary, she announced that the White House would select who participated in the presidential press pool, marking a break from precedent in dealing with traditional media.
- During her first press conference on January 28, 2025, she falsely stated that US$50 million in taxpayer dollars had been intended for funding condoms in the Gaza Strip.
The post Former Softball Player Karoline Leavitt Credits Her Parents’ Work Ethic And Faith For Shaping Her Political Identity appeared first on Players Bio.