Nicholas Riccio’s rise from living on the streets to becoming a multimillionaire real estate entrepreneur is nothing short of extraordinary. As of 2025, Riccio’s estimated net worth stands at $6 million, built entirely from real estate investments, vacation rentals, and entrepreneurial grit. His life journey is not just a business success story—it’s a powerful example of how perseverance and vision can transform hardship into legacy.
A Rough Start: From Divorce to Destitution
Born in 1965, Nicholas Riccio’s early years were marked by instability. His parents’ divorce triggered a turbulent period, and by age 18, he was without a home. Friends offered him basic support—sometimes just a shower—but the future looked uncertain. Riccio has openly spoken about this period, crediting it with giving him the drive to take charge of his life.
Education and Real Estate Discovery
Despite financial obstacles, Riccio enrolled at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. He juggled jobs and loans to afford tuition, often scraping by. His turning point came in 1990 when he took a real estate course—one that would redirect the entire trajectory of his life. That single course lit the spark that grew into a multi-million-dollar passion.
Early Investments and the Birth of Riccio Enterprises
In the early 1990s, Riccio began purchasing distressed properties in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Though money was tight, he scraped together enough to purchase and rehabilitate one run-down unit. The gamble paid off.
Over the next decade, Riccio continued to reinvest. By 2005, he owned 15 buildings along M Street, comprising more than 70 rental units. His real estate footprint expanded from Hampton Beach to Boston and the White Mountains, managed through his private company, Riccio Enterprises LLC.
Today, Riccio is known for acquiring undervalued properties, transforming them, and maximizing their value through long-term and vacation rentals.
Nautical Beach Properties: Diversifying the Portfolio
Riccio didn’t stop at traditional real estate. He launched Nautical Beach Properties, a vacation rental business catering to tourists in New Hampshire. The venture capitalized on the area’s seasonal tourism boom and added a lucrative revenue stream to his growing empire.
Between long-term rentals and vacation properties, Riccio’s portfolio continues to generate consistent income, supporting his estimated $6 million net worth as of 2025.
Marriage to Karoline Leavitt: A High-Profile Union
Nicholas Riccio became a topic of national media conversation after his relationship with Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary under former President Donald Trump. Their 32-year age gap caught public attention, but both have handled the scrutiny with confidence.
The couple met in 2022 during Leavitt’s congressional campaign in New Hampshire. Their relationship progressed quickly: they got engaged in December 2023 and tied the knot in January 2025, just ahead of Trump’s second inauguration.
Despite the media buzz, Riccio has kept his focus on business and family, while supporting Leavitt in her political career.
Family Life: Fatherhood and New Beginnings
In July 2024, the couple welcomed their first child, Nicholas Robert Riccio, affectionately nicknamed “Niko.” Leavitt has described Niko’s birth as the happiest day of her life. The new parents, despite their public lives, have remained grounded in their family values.
Riccio, now 60, has spoken about how fatherhood at this stage of life has given him a renewed sense of purpose. “It’s a second chance to pour love and lessons into someone who will carry the torch forward,” he said in a recent interview.
Public Reactions and Personal Strength
Much has been written about the Riccio-Leavitt age difference, but the couple has met it with openness. Leavitt addressed the conversation directly, calling it “unconventional, but rooted in love, support, and mutual respect.” Riccio, for his part, has continued to show unwavering support for his wife’s demanding role in the public eye.
Their relationship offers a rare look at how couples balance age, ambition, and media scrutiny—without compromising the foundations of partnership.
What’s Next for Riccio?
With his real estate empire stable and growing, Riccio is exploring mentorship and philanthropy. Insiders suggest he’s planning to launch a scholarship fund for students from low-income backgrounds—mirroring the challenges he once faced.
Additionally, Riccio is rumored to be working on a memoir that details his path from homelessness to wealth, aiming to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Final Thoughts
Nicholas Riccio’s story is one of transformation. From sleeping on friends’ couches to overseeing a multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio, he proves that setbacks don’t define you—your response does. As of 2025, his $6 million net worth is not just a financial milestone; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when grit meets opportunity.
Married to a national political figure and raising a young son, Riccio’s life today couldn’t be more different from his past. Yet, it’s the adversity that gave him the tools to build it all.
