Karoline Leavitt is an American political spokesperson and government official, currently serving as the White House press secretary since 2025, making her the youngest person to hold this position in U.S. history
. Early Life and Education:
- Born on August 24, 1997, in Atkinson, New Hampshire, she is the youngest of four children in a family that owns a local ice cream stand and a used truck dealership
- She attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she was a star softball player and received honors as an Eagle-Tribune All-Star in 2014 and 2015
- Leavitt credits her Roman Catholic education with shaping her spirituality and values, including faith, family, discipline, public service, and pro-life beliefs
- She earned a scholarship to Saint Anselm College, where she majored in politics and communication and minored in political science, graduating in 2019 as the first in her immediate family to graduate college
- During college, she founded the school's first broadcasting club, wrote for the student newspaper with a conservative viewpoint, and interned at Fox News and the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence
Career:
- Leavitt began her political career interning at the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence, eventually becoming its associate director
- She served as an assistant press secretary in the Trump administration from 2019 to 2021 and later became communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik
- In 2022, she ran as the Republican candidate for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, winning the primary but losing in the general election to the Democratic incumbent
- She was a spokeswoman for MAGA Inc., Donald Trump's super PAC, and served as press secretary for his 2024 presidential campaign
- After Trump's 2024 election victory, he appointed her as White House press secretary, praising her as "smart," "tough," and a "highly effective communicator"
Personal Background:
- Leavitt grew up working in her family's small businesses and was a standout athlete in high school and college
- She is known for her conservative political stance and was described as the "token conservative" on her college campus
- She is married to Nicholas Riccio and has one child
In summary, Karoline Leavitt's background combines a strong foundation in politics and communication education, early involvement in conservative media and political internships, and rapid advancement within Republican political circles culminating in her historic appointment as White House press secretary at age 27
