From Homeless to Hampton Beach Tycoon: The Untold Story of Karoline Leavitt’s Husband, Nicholas Riccio

While Karoline Leavitt may be making headlines as the youngest White House press secretary in American history, the real untold story lies just behind the spotlight—about the man who’s been silently supporting her rise. Nicholas Riccio, Leavitt’s 59-year-old husband, is no stranger to adversity, and his incredible journey from homelessness to multimillionaire real estate mogul has captivated those lucky enough to learn it.

In an age where political families are often steeped in legacy and elite connections, Riccio’s background stands out like a beacon of resilience and grit. The New Hampshire native’s life story reads like something out of a movie: a teenager without a home, sleeping in cars, using his friends’ homes just to take a shower, and scraping by on borrowed money to finish school. Now, decades later, he manages a real estate portfolio worth millions and oversees a popular vacation rental business along New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach.

And though he may keep a low profile—rarely seen on social media and known for avoiding cameras—his influence in Leavitt’s life and career is undeniable.

A Rocky Start: Homeless at 18

Riccio’s rise to financial and personal success was anything but smooth. Born and raised in New Hampshire, he experienced instability from a young age after his parents, Anthony and Marilyn, divorced during his childhood. He bounced between homes throughout his teens until, at just 18 years old, he found himself living on the streets.

In a rare interview with The Portsmouth Herald, Riccio once revealed how desperate things became: “When I was 19 or 20, I would call my buddies to go over to their houses to watch a game just so I could take a shower.”

It’s a painful yet powerful snapshot of where his journey began—a young man with no home, no security, and no clear future. But Riccio wasn’t content to stay there. He worked night shifts stocking grocery store shelves, saved every cent he could, and took out loans to attend Plymouth State University, eventually earning his degree.

Discovering Real Estate and a Bigger Dream

It wasn’t until 1990, after college, that Riccio stumbled upon his lifelong passion: real estate. Broke and still struggling to find stability, he enrolled in a real estate course—and everything changed. He fell in love with the process of buying, fixing, and flipping properties.

But success didn’t come overnight. In fact, in those early years, Riccio still sometimes slept in his car when he couldn’t afford rent. It was during one of these uncertain periods that a drive with his mother through Hampton Beach would alter the trajectory of his life.

The two passed by M Street, a run-down stretch of dilapidated and condemned homes that had once been a prime location in Hampton Beach’s heyday. To most people, the area was an eyesore. To Riccio, it was an opportunity.

He became obsessed with the idea of revitalizing the street—but with very little money, all he could afford was one small property. So that’s where he started. He bought it, renovated it, rented it—and used the profits to buy another. And then another. Over the next three decades, Riccio would slowly and meticulously transform the block and expand his reach across New Hampshire.

The Rise of Riccio Enterprises

Today, Riccio is the founder and manager of Riccio Enterprises LLC, a subsidiary of Nautical Beach Properties, a company that oversees multiple vacation rentals throughout New Hampshire’s seacoast. According to public records, Riccio owns 10 homes under his LLC—nine in New Hampshire and one in West Virginia.

The properties, built in the late 1900s, range in purchase price from as little as $5,500 to as high as $400,000. But the value of his business far exceeds the property costs. His vacation rentals command anywhere from $139 per night for a one-bedroom unit to more than $150 per night for full beach houses—making it a lucrative year-round operation.

Even a fire in 2023 that caused extensive damage to one of his Hampton properties didn’t slow him down. Riccio rebuilt and continued to grow, a testament to the same perseverance that pulled him out of homelessness decades ago.

An Unexpected Love Story: Karoline and Nicholas

While Riccio worked to build his real estate empire, Karoline Leavitt was forging her own path in politics. A proud conservative from New Hampshire, she began her career as a Fox News intern before joining the Trump White House as part of Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany’s communications team.

By 25, Leavitt was already running for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District—a bold move that, while unsuccessful, launched her into the national spotlight. Somewhere along the way, the two met through a mutual friend at a political event, and the connection was immediate.

Despite their 32-year age difference, Leavitt and Riccio developed a deep bond. Friends say their personalities are complementary: Leavitt is outspoken, assertive, and driven, while Riccio is calm, introverted, and fiercely private.

“He doesn’t have social media and he’s an introvert—complete opposite of me,” Leavitt once shared. “But he’s my number one fan, the best dad, and just the best man I’ve ever met.”

A Private Man Thrust into Public Life

For someone as intensely private as Riccio, becoming the husband of a nationally recognized political figure hasn’t always been easy. But he’s never shied away from supporting Leavitt’s career.

In fact, when she ran for Congress in 2022, Riccio helped fund her campaign. In 2023, the couple went Instagram-official when Leavitt posted a photo of Riccio proposing, accompanied by the caption: “I get to marry the man of my dreams. I feel SO overwhelmingly BLESSED. Thank you God.”

Just a year later, in July 2024, the couple welcomed their first child—a baby boy Leavitt described as “the greatest blessing of my life.”

“It’s true when they say there’s nothing comparable to the love you feel for your child,” she wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “My heart has grown bigger than I ever imagined possible.”

Balancing Motherhood and the White House

Becoming a mother and the White House press secretary within the same year would be daunting for anyone, and Leavitt has been candid about the emotional challenges. Weeks before her first day at the podium, she admitted on Instagram that she was nervous about the sacrifices involved.

“I literally pray about this every day,” she wrote in response to a follower. “It’s very difficult, but it’s also all I know. I went back to work just days after giving birth. I’ve learned to multi-task and prioritize my time.”

She added that she couldn’t do it without Riccio. “I’m also grateful to have an amazing husband and family who help me. Couldn’t do it without them.”

In another post, she reflected on her return to D.C. for Trump’s second term. “We’re getting ready to move. I lived in D.C. during President Trump’s first term so I know the city well. I’m looking forward to going back.”

Legacy and Impact

Riccio may never stand behind a White House podium or speak into a microphone on national television, but his impact is felt every time Leavitt does. His journey from a homeless teenager to a multimillion-dollar entrepreneur isn’t just inspirational—it’s a testament to what’s possible through hard work, vision, and relentless determination.

In a political world dominated by dynasties, consultants, and billionaire donors, the Leavitt-Riccio story is refreshingly grounded. It’s the story of a self-made man and a rising political star—two outsiders who defied expectations and found each other on their respective climbs to the top.

While Karoline Leavitt now speaks on behalf of the President of the United States, it’s clear she draws strength from the man who started with nothing and built an empire—brick by brick—by the shores of Hampton Beach.

And maybe that’s what makes their story so compelling. In a world full of noise, spin, and spectacle, the foundation they’ve built—like Riccio’s real estate portfolio—is solid, enduring, and deeply real.