Karoline Leavitt is back at work as the White House press secretary following her maternity leave while her husband, Nicholas Riccio, holds down the fort for their two children.
“It is really good to be back with all of you,” Leavitt, 28, told reporters on Thursday, July 16, as she took the podium to brief the press for the first time since giving birth to her second baby.
When asked her “secret” to juggling motherhood and work, Leavitt confessed, “I don’t think there is a secret. You just have to show up every day and keep going.”
She then noted, “It really does take a village,” before highlighting her husband’s part in their family dynamic.
“I take the opportunity to shout out to my husband, who is home with our babies right now,” Leavitt continued. “I look forward to returning home later to be with them.”
Leavitt admitted that “It’s challenging” to have a newborn at home while she is back on the job, but added, “For me, I view this as more than a job. I view this as public service.”
Leavitt thanked the reporter for their question, concluding, “There’s nothing better than being a mother.”
Leavitt has had a big supporter in her husband, a real estate developer who runs his own company, since they met in 2022.
The pair, who have a 32-year age gap, welcomed their first child, son Niko, in July 2024. (Leavitt notoriously began working on President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign in 2024 days after giving birth.)
Leavitt and Ricco, 61, eventually tied the knot on the eve of Leavitt joining the president’s second administration in January 2025.
That December, Leavitt announced that she and Ricco were expecting their second baby together.
“The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for — a baby girl coming in May 2026,” she shared via Instagram at the time. “My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.”
In late April, Leavitt announced that she was starting maternity leave after conducting her “last gaggle” with the press.
“As you can see, I’m about ready to have a baby any minute, so I will see you guys very soon,” she revealed on April 24, showing off her growing baby bump.
Leavitt welcomed her daughter, Vivi, one week later on May 1.
“Our hearts instantly exploded with love. 💕,” she wrote via Instagram while announcing her baby girl’s birth, sharing a photo holding the newborn. “She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble.”
