When Karoline Leavitt took the podium in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on Jan. 28, she didn’t just begin another press conference, she made history. At just 27 years old, Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary in American history.
Still, there is a cloud of controversy over her salary, older husband, the six-figure debt she has from her failed congressional run, and the way she runs the press room.
Inside Leavitt’s Net Worth
Leavitt’s fast-track rise through Republican politics began at Saint Anselm College, where she established the school’s first broadcasting club while completing her communications and politics degree. After graduating in 2019, she quickly secured a position as assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany during President Trump’s first administration.
Leavitt, who once worked at her family’s ice cream shop, later served as communications director for Rep. Elise Stefanik and as national press secretary for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, her current annual salary is estimated at $180,000—a substantial jump from her previous earnings of approximately $70,000 in 2021.
Financial disclosures from Leavitt’s unsuccessful 2022 congressional run paint the picture of a young professional with minimal personal assets at that time.
Her candidate filings revealed no significant investments, real estate holdings, or unearned income — suggesting an income effectively near zero outside of salary earnings.
Today, however, Leavitt’s financial situation has dramatically improved and has raised the eyebrows of people watching her.
Beyond her White House salary (which falls within the Executive Schedule Level IV pay grade for high-ranking government officials), she benefits from standard federal benefits including retirement contributions and comprehensive health insurance.
I think they need to garnish her wages!
— Bert Louder🇺🇦AllyFreedom💙 (@BertDblouder) April 28, 2025
During her 2022 congressional bid in New Hampshire, she faced Federal Election Commission scrutiny for alleged campaign finance violations, including undisclosed debts totaling over $325,000, and approximately $200,000 comprising and potentially illegal donations.
Reports indicate that a significant portion of this debt consists of donations exceeding legal limits, prompting questions about the handling of funds.
Leavitt, now closely aligned with President Donald Trump, has yet to resolve these financial discrepancies, raising ethical concerns amid ongoing efforts to fundraise for debt repayment.
Perhaps most significantly for her financial future, Leavitt’s 2024 marriage to real estate developer Nicholas Riccio represents both a personal and financial alliance, Realtor reports.
Riccio, 59, brings an estimated net worth of $6 million to their partnership, capital that proved valuable when supporting Leavitt’s political ambitions.
“He’s built a very successful business himself, so now he’s fully supportive of me building my success in my career,” Leavitt recently told former Fox News host Megyn Kelly.
While there has been much attention to their 32-year age gap, the couple welcomed their son, Niko, in summer 2024, shortly after their wedding.
