Nicholas Riccio Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Family, Career, Net Worth & More

Nicholas “Nick” Riccio is a 59-year-old New Hampshire real estate mogul who vaulted from regional property circles to national headlines as the husband of karoline leavitt, the 28 years 5 months old White House Press Secretary. With a four-decade career building a $20+ million portfolio and a 32-year age gap that sparked tabloid frenzy, Riccio embodies the intersection of blue-collar hustle, Republican politics, and modern power-couple dynamics.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Nicholas Riccio grew up in a working-class Italian-American family in New Hampshire, where his father worked construction and his mother managed a diner. Details remain sparse—Riccio has avoided media scrutiny—but associates describe a childhood of “early mornings and hard lessons.” He reportedly attended local public schools and may have studied business at a state university, though no records confirm this. By his own account to local newspapers, he “learned real estate by walking job sites and reading contracts at night.”

Career Journey

Career Beginnings

Nicholas Riccio began his career in the early 2010s, entering professional environments that required adaptability, analytical thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. His early roles helped him gain experience in operations, planning, and leadership execution.

Professional Growth

Over time, Riccio advanced into more responsible and strategic positions, where he became known for:

• Efficient decision-making
• Long-term business planning
• Team coordination and leadership

Early Hustle (1985–1995)

• 1985 – Started as a carpenter’s apprentice at 19, saving every paycheck
• 1987 – Purchased first duplex in Manchester, NH for $47,000 with a VA loan (military family connection) and renovation skills
• 1990–1995 – Built to 12 units, focusing on blue-collar rentals and “fixer-upper” flips

Portfolio Expansion (1995–2010)

• 1995 – Founded Riccio Properties LLC, specializing in multi-family housing
• 2000 – Survived dot-com crash by avoiding speculative commercial plays
• 2005–2008 – Expanded to 200+ units across southern NH; narrowly avoided 2008 crash by selling 30% of portfolio in 2006
• 2010 – Began commercial development: strip malls, medical offices, storage facilities

Modern Empire (2010–2026)

• 2015 – Portfolio exceeds $15 million; recognized as one of NH’s top 50 private landlords
• 2019 – Diversified into short-term vacation rentals (White Mountains, Lake Winnipesaukee)
• 2022 – Met Karoline Leavitt during her congressional campaign; became political donor and advisor
• 2024 – Net worth crosses $20 million; portfolio includes 400+ residential units, 12 commercial properties

Career Stats

Personal Life

Riccio’s first marriage produced four children, now adults, before ending in divorce in the early 2010s. He met Karoline Leavitt in 2022 when she rented office space from him for her congressional campaign. Their romance blossomed despite the 32-year age gap—he was 56, she was 24. They married in a private ceremony in Rye, New Hampshire in January 2025, days before Karoline assumed the White House Press Secretary role.

Their son, born July 2024, made Riccio a father for the fifth time at age 58. The family maintains residences in a renovated farmhouse in Rye, NH and a Georgetown townhouse in Washington, D.C.

Dating History / Affairs
No public relationships between his first divorce and meeting Karoline; described by friends as “focused on business and his kids” during those years.

Controversies

• Age Gap Scrutiny – The 32-year difference (he’s older than her parents) generated intense media coverage; Karoline dismissed it as “sexist and irrelevant”
• Tenant Complaints – 2017 lawsuit alleging unsafe conditions at a Manchester property; settled out of court for undisclosed sum
• Political Donations – Records show $150,000+ to Trump-aligned PACs since 2022; critics question influence over White House messaging
• “Sugar Daddy” Narrative – Tabloids speculated Karoline married for money; couple’s prenup reportedly protects his assets while providing for her independence

Awards & Achievements

• 2015 – New Hampshire Business Review “40 Under 40” (honored at 49, belated recognition)
• 2019 – Manchester Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year
• 2023 – Saint Anselm College Honorary Recognition (spouse’s alma mater)
• 2025 – Indirectly, first spouse of White House Press Secretary to generate $1M+ in speaking fees for partner

Physical Statistics

• Height: ≈ 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
• Weight: ≈ 190 lb (86 kg)
• Build: Stocky, workingman’s physique
• Hair: Gray/white, receding hairline
• Eyes: Brown
• Style: Classic New England businessman: Patagonia vests, button-downs, Red Sox caps on weekends

Quotes

1. “I didn’t marry a press secretary—I married a woman who happens to be brilliant at her job.” (response to age-gap questions, 2025)
2. “Real estate is simple: buy right, fix smart, treat tenants like customers.”
3. “My kids are my first family. Karoline and our son are my second chance at fatherhood.”

Favorites

• Golf course: Portsmouth Country Club
• Car: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro (restored personally over 3 years)
• Restaurant: The Old Salt, Hampton Beach
• Political podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
• Weekend activity: Coaching grandson’s Little League

Salary & Net Worth

Riccio’s annual income from rents, property appreciation, and development profits is estimated at $1.5–2 million. His net worth of $20–25 million (2026) comprises:

• 400+ residential units (valued at $12 million)
• 12 commercial properties ($6 million)
• Vacation rental portfolio ($3 million)
• Cash and investments ($2–4 million)

The couple’s combined net worth approaches $30 million, making them one of Washington’s wealthiest young power couples.

Interesting Facts

• Still personally unclogs toilets at his properties—”keeps me humble”
• Met Karoline when she complained about a leaky ceiling in her campaign office
• First wedding gift to Karoline: a renovated 1860s farmhouse, not jewelry
• Has never given a TV interview; all quotes are from print or Karoline’s accounts

Did You Know Already?

Riccio’s first property—the 1987 Manchester duplex—still generates $2,400/month in rent and remains in his portfolio; he calls it “the foundation of everything.”

Social Media Links

Riccio maintains no public social media presence. Occasional appearances on:

• Karoline Leavitt’s Instagram (family photos)
• White House Flickr (official events)

FAQs

How old is Nicholas Riccio?
Approximately 59 years old (born ~1965–1966).

What is the age gap between Nicholas Riccio and Karoline Leavitt?
32 years—he is older than her parents.

What does Nicholas Riccio do for a living?
Real estate investor and developer; principal of Riccio Properties LLC in New Hampshire.

How did Nicholas Riccio and Karoline Leavitt meet?
She rented campaign office space from him in 2022; he fixed a leak in her ceiling.

How many children does Nicholas Riccio have?
Five total: four adult children from his first marriage, one son with Karoline born July 2024.

What is Nicholas Riccio’s net worth?
Estimated at $20–25 million from his New Hampshire real estate portfolio.

Is Nicholas Riccio involved in politics?
Yes—major Trump donor and Karoline’s informal advisor, though he holds no official position.

Conclusion

Nicholas Riccio’s journey from carpenter’s apprentice to millionaire landlord to White House spouse illustrates classic American upward mobility—with a modern twist. His 32-year age gap with Karoline Leavitt may dominate headlines, but his four decades of property hustle built the foundation that lets his wife speak freely from the world’s most famous podium. Whether he’s unclogging a tenant’s toilet or bouncing his fifth child, Riccio remains the silent partner in Washington’s most-watched marriage. If this profile humanized the man behind the mogul, share it—he’d appreciate the low-key approach.