Updated: August 13, 2026
Karoline Leavitt rose quickly from a small-town New Hampshire upbringing to become the youngest White House press secretary in history. Behind that confident presence at the podium stand her parents, Bob and Erin Leavitt. Their story is one of hard work, family businesses, Catholic faith, and the kind of steady values that still show up in how Karoline carries herself today.
Table of Contents
Who Are Karoline Leavitt’s Parents?
Bob and Erin Leavitt raised three children in Atkinson, New Hampshire. Karoline Claire Leavitt, born August 24, 1997, is the youngest. Her older brothers are Michael and Joe. The family has deep roots in the Rockingham County area near the Massachusetts border.
Bob Leavitt has long been associated with the family’s used truck dealership in nearby Plaistow. Erin has been by his side as a partner in both business and parenting. They are not political celebrities themselves. Instead, they built a practical, working life that gave their kids structure and responsibility from an early age. Karoline has spoken with clear appreciation for the way her parents raised her, and that respect runs both ways.
The Family Business and New Hampshire Roots
The Leavitts owned and operated an ice cream stand in Atkinson along with a used truck dealership in Plaistow. These were not side hobbies. They were the family’s livelihood and the place where the kids learned customer service, early mornings, and the value of showing up every day.
Michael later took a larger role in the auto business. The dealership still carries the family name and local reputation. Growing up around real small-business demands left a mark. Karoline became the first in her immediate family to earn a college degree, graduating from Saint Anselm College. That milestone reflects both her drive and the foundation her parents provided.
Catholic Values and the Upbringing That Shaped Her
Faith was central in the Leavitt home. Karoline attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and has repeatedly credited her Roman Catholic education with shaping her sense of discipline, public service, and personal principles. The family’s traditional Catholic environment emphasized family first, personal responsibility, and clear moral grounding.
Those early lessons travel with her. Whether handling high-pressure briefings or speaking about her own young family, the influence of Bob and Erin’s home life remains visible. It is the quiet background that helps explain her composure and consistency under the national spotlight.
Parents’ Relationship with Karoline’s Husband and Family Life Today
When Karoline began dating real estate developer Nicholas Riccio—who is roughly 32 years her senior—she has described the conversation with her parents as “challenging” at first. The age difference was significant, and any parent would have questions. Once Bob and Erin got to know Riccio and saw his character and how he treated their daughter, the relationship settled into a comfortable family dynamic.
Today the extended family spends time together. Karoline has noted that her husband shows deep respect for the way her parents raised her. Visits are described as typical and enjoyable rather than strained. Bob and Erin have also been part of the support system around Karoline’s own children, reflecting the same steady presence they offered while she was growing up.
Here is a clear snapshot of the key details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Father | Bob Leavitt |
| Mother | Erin Leavitt |
| Hometown | Atkinson, New Hampshire |
| Family Businesses | Ice cream stand (Atkinson); used truck dealership (Plaistow) |
| Children | Michael, Joe, and Karoline (youngest) |
| Faith Background | Roman Catholic |
| Notable Milestone | Karoline first in immediate family to earn college degree |
- Bob and Erin built local businesses that employed and taught their children.
- The family prioritized practical work and Catholic education.
- Initial concerns about Karoline’s marriage gave way to mutual respect.
- The parents remain connected to both their New Hampshire roots and their daughter’s life in Washington.
Conclusion
Bob and Erin Leavitt did not set out to raise a White House press secretary. They raised three kids in a small New Hampshire town with ice cream counters, truck lots, Sunday Mass, and high expectations. That combination produced a daughter who moves easily between local roots and national stages. Their story is a reminder that the people standing just outside the camera frame often shape the ones who end up in it. Karoline Leavitt’s parents supplied the foundation of work, faith, and family that still anchors her public life in 2026.