White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Welcomes Second Daughter, Viviana
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Welcomes Second Child, Viviana, in Historic Milestone White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, has welcomed her second child, a baby girl named Viviana, commonly known as “Vivi,” marking another personal milestone for the youngest person ever to hold the role. Leavitt announced the birth on May 1, sharing the joyous news in a heartfelt post on Instagram just days after being evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner amid an active shooter situation. The new arrival follows her son, Niko, who was born in July 2024. In her post, Leavitt wrote, “On May 1st, Viviana aka ‘Vivi’ joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love. She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble. Thank you to everyone who reached out with prayers during my pregnancy—I truly felt them throughout the entire experience. God is Good.” Leavitt’s pregnancy made history as the first time a White House press secretary has remained in the role while expecting. She had previously announced her pregnancy in December 2025, calling it “the greatest Christmas gift” and expressing gratitude for the support of President Donald Trump and the White House staff. “My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth,” she wrote at the time. Leavitt’s final day at the White House before maternity leave was originally scheduled for April 24, but she attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner just one day later, even while nine months pregnant. The event was disrupted by an active shooter, and Leavitt held a last-minute press briefing on April 27 to address political violence and respond to media criticism. She then resumed her maternity leave, with plans to return to the podium after her leave, though the exact duration remains unclear. Politico reported that no formal replacement will fill Leavitt’s role during her absence, but Cabinet officials, including Vice President JD Vance and potentially President Trump himself, will handle press briefings in her stead. Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 60, a real estate developer, married in 2023 and welcomed their first child, Niko, in July 2024. Shortly after Niko’s birth, Leavitt returned to work on Trump’s 2024 campaign, citing the need to support the president following an assassination attempt in July 2024. Leavitt’s journey from a failed congressional bid in New Hampshire in 2022 to becoming a central figure in White House communications reflects her rapid rise in politics and media. As she navigates motherhood and her high-profile role, Leavitt continues to set new precedents, both personally and professionally, within the White House.