Additional Coverage:
- Karoline Leavitt shows baby daughter’s face for first time while posing with husband, 60, and son (irishstar.com)
Karoline Leavitt concluded her tenure as White House press secretary on a heartfelt note, sharing a touching family moment in her final appearance. After more than 20 months in the role, Leavitt, 29, revealed the face of her baby daughter, Vivi, for the first time during a photo session at the White House.
Leavitt, the youngest person ever to hold the press secretary position and the first to serve while pregnant, posed behind the briefing room podium with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 60, and their two children: Vivi, born May 1, 2026, and their nearly 2-year-old son, Niko. While Leavitt had kept her daughter’s face private on social media-often turning Vivi away from the camera or using emojis to obscure her features-this marked a rare public glimpse of the infant.
The press secretary’s departure came shortly after returning from maternity leave on July 16. She described the decision as “bittersweet,” explaining her wish to dedicate more time to her young family. In a heartfelt post on X, Leavitt wrote that balancing the demands of the White House role with motherhood had become increasingly difficult, and she wanted to be the best mom she could for her children.
President Donald Trump announced Leavitt’s resignation two weeks ago via Truth Social, praising her as “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.” Trump also revealed that Leavitt would continue working closely with him as a top outside advisor. Reports indicate she will rejoin MAGA Inc., Trump’s super PAC, where she previously served as spokesperson before taking on the national press secretary role during his 2024 campaign.
Leavitt and Riccio welcomed their first child, Niko, on July 10, 2024. Remarkably, Leavitt cut her maternity leave short after just three days following a harrowing incident in which Trump was shot at a rally. Her second child, Viviana “Vivi,” was born on May 1, 2026, a moment Leavitt described as filling their family with immense love and joy.
Reflecting on her experience as a working mother in the White House, Leavitt told NewsNation’s Morning in America that balancing professional duties with parenting was a constant challenge. “You have to make sacrifices,” she said. “You have to prioritize your time, and you have to say no to a lot of opportunities because you want to be there for bedtime with your kids every night.”
As Leavitt closes this chapter, the identity of her successor as White House press secretary remains unknown. Her departure marks the end of a historic tenure characterized by dedication to both her demanding role and her young family.