In the midst of her high-profile role as White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person ever to hold the position at 27, took a well-deserved break to enjoy a sunny beach vacation with her family. On May 5, 2025, Leavitt shared a rare glimpse into her personal life through a series of heartwarming Instagram posts, documenting her weekend getaway in Palm Beach, Florida, with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, and their young son, Niko. The family’s retreat to Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate offered a moment of relaxation and bonding, showcasing Leavitt’s ability to balance her demanding career with her roles as a wife and mother. This beach vacation, filled with tender family moments, highlights the strength of Leavitt’s family unit and her commitment to cherishing time with her loved ones amidst the whirlwind of political life.

A Glimpse into Karoline Leavitt’s Family Life

Karoline Leavitt, born on August 24, 1997, in Atkinson, New Hampshire, has quickly risen through the ranks of American politics. A graduate of Saint Anselm College, where she studied politics and communication while playing softball, Leavitt’s career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. She interned in the White House during Donald Trump’s first term, later becoming an assistant press secretary and presidential writer. After serving as the national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign, she was appointed White House Press Secretary in January 2025, days after her wedding to Nicholas Riccio. Despite her demanding schedule, which often aligns with what she has called the “Donald Trump sleep schedule” of just four hours a night, Leavitt has made family a priority, a value deeply rooted in her Roman Catholic upbringing.

Leavitt’s husband, Nicholas Riccio, 59, is a real estate mogul whose journey from homelessness to millionaire status is a quintessential American success story. Growing up in Hudson, New Hampshire, Riccio faced financial insecurity as a young adult, often relying on friends for basic necessities like a shower. After graduating from Plymouth State University, he took a real estate course in 1990 that sparked his career. By the early 2000s, Riccio had begun purchasing and renovating rundown properties in Hampton Beach, eventually building Riccio Enterprises LLC, a company that now owns over 15 buildings, including nine rentable units under Nautical Beach Rentals in New Hampshire and another in West Virginia, with an estimated net worth of $6 million. His story of resilience and ambition has made him a steady and supportive partner for Leavitt, often described by her as her “rock” and “best friend.”

The couple welcomed their son, Nicholas Robert Riccio, affectionately nicknamed Niko, on July 10, 2024. Leavitt has been open about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career, especially given the timing of Niko’s birth—just days before an assassination attempt on Trump on July 13, 2024, prompted her to cut her maternity leave short. Despite the pressures, Leavitt has consistently praised Riccio for his role as a father, noting in a February 2025 interview on The Megyn Kelly Show that he is “the best dad I could ever ask for.” Their beach vacation in Palm Beach offered a rare opportunity for the family to unwind and create lasting memories, away from the political spotlight.

The Palm Beach Getaway: A Family Affair

Leavitt’s Instagram carousel from May 5, 2025, captured the essence of their beach vacation at Mar-A-Lago, a luxurious estate owned by President Trump. The White House Press Secretary captioned her post, “Weelends in Palm Beach,” accompanied by a camera emoji and a green heart, reflecting her joy in sharing these personal moments. The first photo showed Leavitt smiling on a green couch, cradling Niko, who was dressed in a charming checkered onesie. The image radiated warmth, with Leavitt’s maternal affection evident as she held her son close, the backdrop of Mar-A-Lago’s opulent interiors adding a touch of grandeur to the intimate moment.

In the second snap, Riccio joined the frame as the family posed in front of a pool at sunset. The golden hues of the setting sun illuminated the trio, with Riccio’s presence adding a sense of stability and love. Despite the 32-year age gap between Leavitt and Riccio, which has drawn public scrutiny, their bond appeared unshakable. Leavitt has addressed this age difference candidly, describing their relationship as a “very atypical love story” but emphasizing Riccio’s unwavering support. During her appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, she noted that Riccio’s successful career allows him to be fully supportive of her own ambitions, a dynamic that was palpable in their relaxed demeanor during the vacation.

Another heartwarming photo captured Riccio, dressed more casually, cradling Niko and kissing his cheek—a tender moment that underscored his role as a doting father. Leavitt’s caption on a similar photo from another outing, “Dada always has our backs,” echoed this sentiment, reflecting the trust and love she has for her husband. The final image in the carousel alluded to the family relaxing on sun loungers, draped under towels, likely enjoying the beachfront of Palm Beach. The serene setting provided a stark contrast to Leavitt’s usual environment of press briefings and political chaos, offering a glimpse into her ability to find solace in family time.

Balancing Motherhood and a High-Profile Career

Leavitt’s beach vacation comes at a time when she has been navigating the dual roles of White House Press Secretary and new mother with remarkable resilience. Her return to work just days after Niko’s birth, prompted by the assassination attempt on Trump, was a testament to her dedication to her career. In an interview with The Conservateur in October 2024, she recalled watching the rally on television with her three-day-old son in her arms, saying, “I looked at my husband and said, ‘Looks like I’m going back to work.’” This sense of duty, however, has not come without its challenges. Leavitt has been open about the guilt she feels when away from Niko, telling the Christian Broadcasting Network in April 2025, “I spend every second that I possibly can with my son when I’m home on weekends and evenings.”

The Palm Beach vacation was a much-needed respite, allowing Leavitt to be fully present with her family. Her ability to balance these roles is supported by Riccio’s flexibility, as his successful real estate career affords him the freedom to travel with Leavitt and Niko. This dynamic was evident in their earlier family outing to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in April 2025, where Riccio was photographed holding Niko up to admire the animals, a moment Leavitt captured with the same caption, “Dada always has our backs.” These outings highlight Riccio’s role as a hands-on father, a quality Leavitt has consistently praised, noting in her Megyn Kelly Show interview that he has been a pillar of support during a “very chaotic period of life.”

Public Reaction and the Age Gap Controversy

The Leavitt-Riccio family has not been without its share of public scrutiny, primarily due to their 32-year age gap. When Leavitt shared her Palm Beach photos, some Instagram users couldn’t resist commenting on the age difference, with one user joking, “Is that your father? Proud Grandpa for sure.” Others, however, were more supportive, with a user writing, “Beautiful family,” accompanied by a red heart emoji. Leavitt has faced similar comments throughout her marriage, but she has remained steadfast in her defense of Riccio. In her Megyn Kelly Show interview, she acknowledged the initial hesitation about their age gap but emphasized that Riccio’s support and love outweigh any societal judgment.

The couple’s relationship, which began during Leavitt’s 2022 congressional campaign in New Hampshire, has been a source of strength for her. They met through a mutual friend at a campaign event, and their bond grew from friendship to love, culminating in their engagement in December 2023 and marriage in January 2025. Riccio’s introverted nature contrasts with Leavitt’s public persona, a difference she has noted on social media, saying, “He’s an introvert (complete opposite of me).” Despite his preference for privacy—he does not have social media—Riccio occasionally joins Leavitt at public events, such as the White House Easter Egg Roll in April 2025, where they were spotted pushing Niko in a stroller across the South Lawn.

A Moment of Joy Amidst a Demanding Career

Karoline Leavitt’s beach vacation in Palm Beach with her husband and son was more than just a getaway—it was a testament to her ability to find balance in a life filled with historic responsibilities. As the youngest White House Press Secretary, Leavitt has faced immense pressure, from managing press briefings to navigating public scrutiny of her personal life. Yet, her commitment to her family remains unwavering, as evidenced by the tender moments she shared from their time at Mar-A-Lago. The beach setting, with its sun-soaked loungers and poolside sunsets, provided the perfect backdrop for Leavitt, Riccio, and Niko to create memories as a family.

This vacation also underscores the strength of Leavitt’s partnership with Riccio, whose support has been a cornerstone of her success. Despite the challenges of their age difference and the demands of her career, the couple has built a loving family, with Niko at the center of their world. As Leavitt continues to make history in her professional life, her beach vacation serves as a reminder of the personal values that ground her—faith, family, and the joy of simple moments spent with those she loves most. For a woman who has broken barriers in politics, these moments of connection on the shores of Palm Beach are a powerful reminder of what truly matters.