Pete Hegseth's Wives & Kids: The Full Story (Updated!)
Ever wondered about the personal life of a prominent figure often in the spotlight? Pete Hegseth's journey through marriage and fatherhood is a testament to the complexities of modern family life, blending personal values with public persona.
Pete Hegseth, a name synonymous with conservative commentary and military service, navigates a personal life as multifaceted as his professional one. He has been married three times, each chapter adding a unique dimension to his family story. His first marriage was to Meredith Schwarz, his high school sweetheart. They exchanged vows in 2004 but divorced in 2009, after Hegseth admitted to having multiple affairs, according to the New Yorker. This union produced three children. Subsequently, Hegseth married Samantha Deering in June 2010 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. This marriage ended in 2017, but not before adding two more children to Hegseth's growing family. Most recently, he tied the knot with Jennifer Rauchet, a television producer, in August 2019 at Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck in New Jersey. This marriage marked the third for Hegseth and the second for Rauchet, who also brought three children from a previous relationship into the fold. The latest union produced one child, a daughter.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pete Hegseth |
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1980 |
| Occupation | Television personality, political commentator, author |
| Marital Status | Married to Jennifer Rauchet (Third Marriage) |
| Previous Wives | Meredith Schwarz (2004-2009), Samantha Deering (2010-2017) |
| Number of Children | Seven (Four biological, Three stepchildren) |
| Children with Meredith Schwarz | Three (Names Not Specified) |
| Children with Samantha Deering | Two: Boone Hegseth (born in August 2012), Rex Hegseth (born in 2016) |
| Child with Jennifer Rauchet | One daughter, Gwen Hegseth (born August 13, 2017) |
| Stepchildren with Jennifer Rauchet | Three (Names Not Specified) |
| Residence | Middle Tennessee |
| Education | Princeton University (B.A.), Harvard University (M.P.P.) |
| Military Service | U.S. Army National Guard (served in Iraq and Afghanistan) |
| Website | petehegseth.com |
The intricacies of Hegseth's family life often draw public attention. He is a father of seven children, a blended family that includes his biological children and stepchildren from Jennifer Rauchet's previous marriage. While he is the biological father of four, Hegseth shuns the term "stepfather," preferring to view his family as one unit, brought together by faith and love. The children's names include Gunner, Boone, and Rex, alongside others, painting a picture of a bustling household. His first son, Gunner Hegseth, was born on June 13, 2010. As for the family dynamic, Hegseth and Rauchet present a united front, often sharing glimpses of their life on social media, highlighting their shared values of faith, patriotism, and freedom.
The complexities extend beyond just the number of children. Pete Hegseth's marital history has been a subject of public scrutiny, particularly his divorce from Meredith Schwarz following admissions of infidelity. This period of his life, while turbulent, seems to have shaped his perspective on family and commitment, leading him to his current marriage with Jennifer Rauchet. Their wedding, held at Trump National Golf Club, was a family affair, with the couple and their children all dressed in white, the girls adorning pink dresses, signifying a fresh start and a unified family.
Beyond the headlines and the political commentary, Hegseth’s personal journey reveals a man deeply invested in his family. He and Jennifer reside in Middle Tennessee, creating a home where they instill their values in their children. They actively participate in their children's lives, from attending school events to family vacations, emphasizing the importance of togetherness and shared experiences. Hegseth has also expressed his views on parenting, emphasizing the significance of teaching children about faith, patriotism, and the importance of individual liberty. This commitment extends beyond his immediate family, as he often speaks about the importance of strong families in building a strong nation.
Pete Hegseth’s family life presents a modern tableau of blended families, second chances, and the enduring power of love and commitment. While his career keeps him in the public eye, it is his role as a father and husband that appears to anchor him. His story, with its ups and downs, resonates with many who navigate the complexities of modern family life, proving that family is not defined by traditional structures but by the bonds of love and shared values. In March 2025, Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Hegseth had a meeting with British Defence Secretary John Healey in the Pentagon.
Details regarding Hegseth's tattoos surfaced as well. He sports multiple tattoos on his biceps, chest, and torso. His first tattoo was a cross tattoo drawn on his forearm with a sword in the middle used to reference Matthew 10:34. Hegseth revealed in an interview that his tattoos express his views and thoughts on various political and personal issues.
Pete Hegseth's journey—marked by three marriages, seven children, and a public career—offers a glimpse into a life that is both intensely personal and perpetually in the spotlight. It's a story of navigating love, loss, and the ever-evolving definition of family in the modern age. His family life, which raised questions, continues to be a subject of public interest, but it is ultimately a testament to the enduring power of family bonds and the complexities of life lived in the public eye. Whether you agree with his politics or not, Hegseth's dedication to his family is undeniable, reflecting a common thread that binds us all: the desire to love, nurture, and protect those we hold dear. Pete and Jenny Hegseth live in Middle Tenn and have seven children—all of whom they pray grow up to love God and country and to value freedom. Former news anchor and political commentator Pete Hegseth took the oath as the defense secretary as wife Jennifer Rauchet and their seven children Rex, Gunner, Jackson, Peter, Boone, Kensington, Luke watched on. Vice president JD Vance administered the oath.
As of current information, Hegseth has four biological children and three stepchildren. In 2004 Hegseth married Meredith Schwarz; the couple divorced in 2009. In 2017 Pete Hegseth had a child with Jennifer Rauchet, who also worked at Fox News. Later that year he and Deering divorced, and Hegseth married Rauchet in 2019. Hegseth swore an oath of office beside vice president JD Vance in front of his wife and children. Pete Hegseth has officially been sworn in as defense secretary, with all seven of his children watching on. Pete Hegseth is currently married to Jennifer Rauchet, his third wife. The couple tied the knot in 2019, two years after the birth of their first child together. Pete shares three children with his first wife, Meredith. Pete did not have any children with his second wife, Samantha. His son Gunner Hegseth was born on June 13, 2010, and Rex Hegseth in 2016 whereas Boone Hegseth’s birth detail is unknown. Likewise, his daughter Gwen Hegseth was born on August 13, 2017.
How Many Children Does Pete Hegseth Have?
Pete Hegseth Children A Closer Look at His Family Life
How Many Kids Does Pete Hegseth Have? Inside His Family Life
